Structural Loads
Buildings, Bridges, Wind Turbines and any other structure are designed to withstand loads.
If the structure can’t withstand the loads acting on it, it fails.
In this section you’ll learn about the different types of loads, how to calculate them, how to apply them and much more.
What Are Loads?
Structural loads are the representation of actions/influences on structures that are caused by nature, humans, machinery etc and the structural elements must be designed to withstand those actions. In general, the most used loads when designing a building are:
In structural design, different load types are used depending on the element and the load itself. We differentiate between:
- Area load (on slabs, walls, facades, etc.)
- Line load (on beams, columns, frames, etc.)
- Point load (on columns, etc.)
- Others like triangular load
Load direction
The snow load is applied differently on a rafter roof than the wind load. Learn in this guide how to apply snow, wind, live and dead load on structural elements.
Loads on roof structures
Learn what loads act on roofs, how to calculate them & how they are applied on the structure (Dead load, wind load + 3more).
What Are Load Combinations?
What are Load Combinations and how to calculate them?
Learn the basics of load combinations and how they are used in structural engineering to ensure the strength and safety of a building or structure. Discover the different types of loads considered, common load combinations, and their impact on the structural design.