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In depth
[edit] Types of structural load
[edit] Introduction
Structural analysis is a very important part of a design of buildings and other built assets such as bridges and tunnels, as structural loads can cause stress, deformation and displacement that may result in structural problems or even failure.
The building regulations require that structures must be designed and built to be able to withstand all load types that they are likely to face during their lifecycle.
There are a number of different types of load than can act upon a structure, the nature of which will vary according to the design, use, location and materials being used.
Design requirements are generally specified in terms of the maximum loads that a structure must be able to withstand.
Loads are generally classified as either dead loads (DL) or live loads (LL):
- Dead loads refer to the structure's self weight and generally remain constant during the structure's life.
- Live loads, such as traffic loads may vary.
Loads may also be categorised as:
- Concentrated loads (or point loads): Single loads that act over a relatively small area, such as column loads.
- Line loads: Loads exert a load along a line, such as a partition's weight on the floor.
- Distributed (or surface) loads: These exert a load over a surface area, such as the weight of floors and roofing materials.
[edit] Dead loads (DL)
Dead loads, also known as permanent or static loads, are those predominantly associated with the weight of the structure itself, and as such remain stationary and relatively constant over time.
Dead loads may include the weight of any structural elements, permanent non-structural partitions, immovable fixtures such as plasterboard, built-in cupboards, and so on.
Dead loads can be calculated by assessing the weights of materials specified and their volume as shown on drawings. This means that in theory, it should be possible to calculate dead loads with a good degree of accuracy.