Jan Kenneth A.

Barazon CE-2

CE151/A1 Oct 6, 2011

STRUCTURAL LOADS- These are forces and acceleration applied to a structure and its components. Loads cause deformations in structures. It is assessed by different methods of structural analysis. There are different types of loads like dead loads, live loads, environmental loads, etc.

TYPES OF LOADS Dead Loads-loads that are relatively constant over time, including the weight of the structure itself. Dead loads are also known as Permanent Loads. The dead load does not change over the life of the structure. It neither increases nor decreases and does not shift or move over time. One example of a dead load is a bridge. Live Loads- Also called imposed loads. They are temporary, of short duration, or moving. These loads may involve considerations such as impact, vibration, fatigue, etc. Live loads, sometimes referred as probabilistic loads include all forces that are variable within the objects normal operation cycle. Road live loads are produced during maintenance by workers, equipment and materials and during the life of the structure by movable objects such as planters and by people. Examples of live loads are animals, people, and anything that you can move. Wind Loads- These loads depend on the velocity of the wind at the location of the structure, permeability of the structure, height of the structure etc. They may be horizontal or inclined forces depending on the angle of inclination of the roof for pitched roof structures. They can even be suction type of forces depending on the angle of inclination of the roof or geometry of the buildings. Eiffel Tower is one of the structures that were designed in terms of high wind resistant. Seismic Load- One of the basic concepts of earthquake engineering which means application of an earthquakegenerated agitation to a structure. It happens at contact surfaces of a structure either with the ground, or with adjacent structures, or with gravity waves from tsunami.

Thermal Load-Thermal loads are the heating and cooling loads placed on the dwelling by its fabric i.e. design, insulation, shading, glazing etc. When simulation tools calculate Thermal loads, standardized occupant behavior is assumed for operation of ventilation openings and shading devices to ensure their effect on the loads is considered. The lower the load, the more the house can maintain comfortable conditions for the occupants without the need for air conditioning or heating.

Snow Loads- are prevalent in northern and/or mountain regions all over the world. The snow load provisions of ASCE 7-05 provide guidance for determining the magnitude of those loads based on geographic location and the nature of the structure being considered. Other Loads- Engineers must also be aware of other actions that may affect a structure, such as: Displacement, Fire, Corrosion, Explosion, Shrinkage, impact from vehicles and Loads during construction.