What is referred to as the sideways deflection of a building due to lateral loads?

The sideways deflection of a building caused by lateral loads, such as wind or seismic activity, is accurately described by the term "shear drift." This term relates to how the lateral forces acting on a structure can lead to deformation, particularly at different levels or stories of the building. Shear drift specifically refers to the horizontal movement or displacement that occurs when shear forces cause the structural components to shift relative to one another.

In the context of structures, understanding shear drift is vital for engineers and architects, as it informs decisions about the design and materials used, ensuring that the building can withstand such lateral forces without compromising safety and functionality.

Other terms in the choices could hint at similar concepts but do not specifically identify the phenomenon of lateral displacement due to shear forces. For instance, bending drift generally relates to displacement caused by bending actions in beams or elements and isn't specifically applicable to sideways movement. Story shift might imply movement between floors but lacks the precision of describing lateral deflection as a response to shear forces. Load drift is not a standard term in structural engineering that connects specifically to lateral deflections. Thus, shear drift is the most accurate term describing the sideways deflection caused by lateral loads.