Perka: Structural Load

Return to Perka Library Structural Load From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Structural loads are forces applied to a component of a structure or to the structure as a unit. In structural design, assumed loads are specified in national and local design codes for types of structures, geographic locations, and usage. In addition to the load magnitude, its frequency of occurrence, distribution, and nature (static or dynamic) are important factors in design. Loads cause stresses, deformations and displacements in structures. Assessment of their effects is carried out by the methods of structural analysis. Excess load or overloading may cause structural failure, and hence such possibility should be either considered in the design or strictly controlled. In the Eurocodes, the term actions has a similar meaning to loads, but encompasses applied deformations as well as forces. The following lists the common loading types primarily for civil infrastructure and land machinery. Structures for aerospace (e.g. aircraft, satellites, rockets, spacestations, etc...) and marine environments (e.g. boats, submarines, etc.) have their own particular design loads and considerations.