Skip to main content

McKinney Civil Engineering

Concrete box culvert carrying stormwater beneath a roadway with grassy embankments for drainage control in Arlington, Texas.

The P–Delta effect happens when a building or structure bends or sways because of wind, earthquakes, or other side forces while carrying its normal weight. As the structure moves sideways, its weight creates extra forces that make it bend even more, increasing the stress on the structure. Engineers consider the P–Delta effect in design to make sure buildings remain safe and stable under these conditions (Wikipedia).