What are the internal forces that resist the load on a structure called?

The term that describes the internal forces that resist the load on a structure is stress. Stress refers to the internal resistance of a material to deformation when subjected to an external load. It is the force exerted per unit area within materials that allows them to maintain their shape and integrity under various load conditions. Strain complements this concept by measuring the deformation or displacement of material that occurs as a result of that stress.

Load forces refer to the external forces acting on a structure, while building tension may describe the act of pulling forces but does not encompass the overall internal resistance mechanisms at play. Weight factors might relate to considerations of weight in structural design, but they do not specifically address the internal forces experienced within the material itself.

Thus, recognizing stress as the key internal force helps in understanding how buildings maintain stability and respond to various load conditions, which is critical knowledge for professionals in the fire service and building construction fields.