A continuous structural element that carries loads is known as?

A continuous structural element that carries loads is referred to as a beam. Beams are designed to support vertical loads and help transfer these loads to other structural elements, such as columns or walls. They can span horizontally or at an angle and are critical in the overall stability and strength of a structure, allowing for the distribution of loads over long distances.

Unlike slabs, which are generally flat and cover a surface area, beams serve a more specialized purpose in carrying loads and resisting bending forces. Columns primarily support vertical loads but do not span a horizontal distance in the way that beams do. Footings, on the other hand, are foundational elements that transfer loads from the structure to the ground, but do not carry loads over a span like beams do. Understanding the specific roles of each of these components helps clarify why a beam is categorized as a continuous structural element that supports loads.