bærende

Bærende is a Norwegian term used as an adjective derived from the verb bære, meaning to carry or support. In architecture and civil engineering, it describes elements of a building or structure that transfer loads to the foundation, as opposed to non-bærende parts that do not bear structural loads.

A bærende vegg, for example, carries the loads from floors and roofs down to the foundations, while a bærende søyle or beam transmits vertical forces through the structure. The term is commonly applied to load-bearing constructions such as walls, frames, columns, and girders, and is central to design, demolition, and renovation work. Structural design involves calculating dead loads, imposed loads, snow, wind, and seismic forces to ensure bærende elements have sufficient strength, stiffness, and stability. Materials frequently used for bærende components include timber, masonry, concrete (including reinforced concrete), and steel.

Etymologically, bærende comes from the verb bære, with Old Norse roots in bera, meaning to carry. It has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Swedish bärande and Danish bærrende. Figuratively, the term can describe central or essential ideas or principles, for example bærende prinsipp or bærende idé, indicating the element that supports an argument or plan.

In practice, distinguishing between bærende and non-bærende parts affects construction methods, safety assessments, and regulations in building codes, as alterations to bærende elements require careful analysis and sometimes structural reinforcement.