Lateral loads describe the force...

• A. Force only downward
• B. Internal stresses from temperature
• C. Force in multiple directions, exerted by natural events
• D. Force only horizontal

Answer: (C)

Lateral loads are external forces acting on a structure in directions other than vertical, typically horizontal or multi-directional due to natural events. This is why the best option describes a force in multiple directions, exerted by natural events—wind can push a building sideways and earthquakes can apply horizontal shear, sometimes with varying directions. The other ideas don’t fit because forces only downward refer to gravity, which is vertical; internal stresses from temperature are generated inside the material rather than from external lateral forces; and a force described as only horizontal misses the fact that lateral loads can involve multiple directions and dynamic components during events.