Buildings are held up by two types of structural elements: vertical and lateral. These elements work together to resist gravity and lateral loads. The floor system is responsible for resisting gravity loads and connecting the vertical system. The vertical load is also known as the gravity load, and it can be broken down into two categories: dead and live. Seismic-resistant buildings use lateral force-resisting systems such as moment frames, shear walls, and braced frames to minimize damage in case of an earthquake. These systems are typically found in commercial buildings and are crucial for promoting post-earthquake recovery and prosperity.