live load
Noun 1. A variable, moving, or temporary load on a structure: A "live load" is the weight of all movable or temporary objects and forces that a structure, such as a bridge, building, or floor, is designed to support. This load is not permanent and can change in position and magnitude.
The term "live load" is used in engineering, architecture, and construction to describe dynamic forces that a structure must safely withstand. It is a critical factor in structural design and safety calculations. * Engineers must calculate the live load from vehicles, wind, and snow when designing a bridge. * Building codes specify minimum live load requirements for office floors to account for people, furniture, and equipment. * The live load on a stadium roof includes the weight of accumulated snow and the force of the wind.
- Contrast with 'Dead Load': In structural engineering, "live load" is explicitly contrasted with "dead load." A dead load is the permanent, static weight of the structure itself and its fixed components (e.g., walls, floors, permanent fixtures). The live load is the variable, non-permanent weight it must carry.
- Example: The dead load of the building includes the concrete slabs and steel beams, while the live load includes the occupants and their desks.
- Imposed Load: (noun) A synonym for "live load," commonly used in some engineering standards and regions.
- Dynamic Load: (noun) A related but broader term for any load that changes over time, which includes but is not limited to live loads (e.g., it also includes impact loads from machinery).
- Variable load
- Imposed load
- Superimposed load
- Dead load: (noun) The permanent, static weight of the structure itself.
- a variable load on a structure (e.g. a bridge) such as moving traffic