What does a structural engineer consider when analyzing load distributions?

When analyzing load distributions, a structural engineer primarily considers load types, locations, and effective spans. Load types refer to the different forces acting on a structure, such as dead loads (permanent/static loads) and live loads (temporary/dynamic loads). Understanding these load types is crucial for ensuring the structure can safely support those forces.

The locations of these loads directly influence how they affect the structural integrity of the building. Different areas of a structure may experience varying load intensities, necessitating careful analysis to determine how the building will respond.

Effective spans relate to the distances between supports and how they interact with the loads applied. Knowing the effective spans helps in calculating moments, shear forces, and deflection, which are essential for designing safe and efficient structural systems.

In contrast, other options like material costs, construction duration, and design aesthetics pertain more to project management and architectural considerations and are secondary to the fundamental requirements of load distribution that a structural engineer focuses on.