The external forces acting on a structure, including dead loads, live loads, and environmental loads such as wind and earthquakes.
Mechanics of Materials: This is the study of how forces and loads affect the behavior of materials.
Statics: This is the study of forces that are in equilibrium or at rest.
Dynamics: This is the study of forces that are in motion.
Stress: This is the internal force that is developed when a material is subjected to external loads.
Strain: This is the change in shape or deformation of a material when it is subjected to forces.
Shear forces: Forces that act parallel to the cross-section of the material.
Bending moments: Forces that act perpendicular to the cross-section of the material.
Torsion: This is the twisting of a material when it is subjected to opposing rotational forces.
Compression: This is the force that tends to compress or shorten a material.
Tension: This is the force that tends to stretch or elongate a material.
Yield strength: This is the amount of load that a material can withstand before it begins to deform permanently.
Ultimate strength: This is the amount of load that a material can withstand before it fails.
Modulus of elasticity: This is a measure of the stiffness of a material.
Moment of inertia: This is the resistance of a material to bending.
Combined loading: This is the study of how materials react when they are subjected to multiple loads.
Column buckling: This is the failure of a column due to compressive loads.
Beam deflection: This is the amount of bending that a beam undergoes when it is subjected to loads.
Fatigue: This is the failure of a material due to repeated loading.
Impact loading: This is the study of how materials react when they are subjected to sudden loads.
Structural analysis: This is the process of determining the forces and loads that a structure can withstand.
Gravity Load: The weight of the structure, contents, and other elements that pull the structure downwards.
Dead Load: The weight of the permanent elements of the structure such as walls, columns, beams, and floors.
Live Load: The weight of the people and equipment that move in and out of the structure.
Wind Load: The force exerted by the wind on the structure, which varies depending on the wind speed, direction, and building height.
Seismic Load: The force created by an earthquake, which can cause shaking or ground movement that can damage the structure.
Snow Load: The weight of snow on the roof or other parts of the structure, which can cause damage if not properly designed for.
Hydrostatic Load: The pressure created by water against the structure or foundation, which can cause instability or damage.
Thermal Load: The changes in temperature and thermal expansion or contraction of structures, which can cause stress or deformation.
Impact Load: The force created by a moving object striking the structure, such as a vehicle or heavy machinery.
Vibration Load: The continuous or intermittent movement of equipment or people that can cause vibration and damage to the structure.
Soil Load: The pressure exerted by soil against the foundation of the structure, which can cause settling or movement.
Dynamic Load: The force created by the movement or action of the structure itself, such as a bridge or tower swaying in the wind.
Torsional Load: The twisting force created by torsion or torque on the structure, such as a rotating machinery or a tower with lateral sway.
Uplift Load: The force created by an upward lift, such as a wind gust, that can cause fatigue or damage to the structure.
Shear Load: The force created by the parallel sliding or deformation of adjacent structural elements or section due to transverse forces.
Transverse Load: The force created by the perpendicular bending or deformation of a structural element along the length-axis.
Longitudinal Load: The force created by the parallel bending or deformation of a structural element along the thickness / width axis.