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 TYPES OF LOADS

DEAD LOADS

These loads are permanent loads which are

carried to the structure throughout their lifespan.

Dead loads are also called as stationary loads.

These loads occur mainly due to the self-weight of

the structural members, fittings, fixed partitions,

fixed equipment, etc.

For suppose, to build a column we

need steel bars, concrete,

shuttering, etc.

Well, concrete and bars are fixed

members of the structure which are

available throughout their lifespan

whereas shuttering is a temporary

member, which is used to keep

concrete in the desired position.

Shuttering is taken off from the

structure after curing. From above,

concrete and steel bars self-

weights are considered as a dead

load and load of a shuttering is not.

The first vertical load that is considered is dead load. Dead loads are permanent

or stationary loads which are transferred to structure throughout the life span.

Dead load is primarily due to self weight of structural members, permanent

partition walls, fixed permanent equipments and weight of different materials. It

majorly consists of the weight of roofs, beams, walls and column etc. which are

otherwise the permanent parts of the building. The calculation of dead loads of

each structure are calculated by the volume of each section and multiplied with
the unit weight.
TYPES OF LOADS

LIVE LOADS

The second vertical load that is considered in design of a structure is

imposed loads or live loads. Live loads are either movable or moving loads

with out any acceleration or impact. These loads are assumed to be

produced by the intended use or occupancy of the building including

weights of movable partitions or furniture etc.. Live loads keeps on changing

from time to time. These loads are to be suitably assumed by the designer. It

is one of the major load in the design.

As the name itself resembling that

these type of loads are real-time

loads. Live loads are also called as

imposed or sudden loads. Live loads

changes with respect to time. This

type of loading may come and go.

For example, At one moment the

room may be empty hence the live

load is zero. If the same room is

packed with the people, then the

live load intensity will vary
considerably. The live load includes

the weight of furniture, people

occupying the floor, etc.

Anything in a building that is not fixed to the structure can result in a live load

since it can be moved around. Live loads are factored into the calculation of the
gravity load of a structure. They are measured in pounds per square foot. The

minimum live-load requirements are based on the expected maximum load. A

live load can be expressed either as a uniformly distributed load (UDL) or as one

acting on a concentrated area (point load). It may eventually be factored into the
calculation of gravity loads.
TYPES OF LOADS

WIND LOADS

Wind load is primarily

horizontal load caused

by the movement of air

relative to earth. Wind

load is required to be

considered in structural

design especially when

the heath of the
building exceeds two
times the dimensions

transverse to the exposed wind surface. For low rise building say up to four to
five stories, the wind load is not critical because the moment of resistance

provided by the continuity of floor system to column connection and walls

provided between columns are sufficient to accommodate the effect of these
forces.

Wind loads can be applied by the movement of air relative to a structure, and

analysis draws upon an understanding of meteorology and aerodynamics as well

as structures. Wind load may not be a significant concern for small, massive,

low-level buildings, but it gains importance with height, the use of lighter

materials and the use of shapes that may affect the flow of air, typically roof

forms. Where the dead weight of a structure is insufficient to resist wind loads,

additional structure and fixings may be required. Wind load is required to be

considered in structural design especially when the heath of the building

exceeds two times the dimensions transverse to the exposed wind surface.

The design wind loads for buildings and other structures shall be determined

according to one of the following procedures:

Method 1– Simplified procedure for low-rise simple diaphragm buildings

Method 2– Analytical procedure for regular shaped building and structures

Method 3– Wind tunnel procedure for geometrically complex buildings and

structures
TYPES OF LOADS

SNOW LOADS

This is the load that can be imposed by the accumulation of snow and is more of

a concern in geographic regions where snowfalls can be heavy and frequent.

Significant quantities of snow can accumulate, adding a sizable load to a

structure. The shape of a roof is a particularly important factor in the magnitude

of the snow load.

Snow loads constitute to the vertical loads in the building. But these types of

loads are considered only in the snow fall places. The IS 875 (part 4) – 1987 deals

with snow loads on roofs of the building. The minimum snow load on a roof area

or any other area above ground which is subjected to snow accumulation is

obtained by the expression

Types of Loads on Structures - Snow LoadsWhere S = Design snow load on plan

area of roof. Shape coefficient= Shape coefficient, and S0 = Ground snow load.
 TYPES OF LOADS

EARTHQUAKE LOADS

Earthquake forces constitute to both

vertical and horizontal forces on the

building. The total vibration caused by

earthquake may be resolved into three

mutually perpendicular directions,

usually taken as vertical and two

horizontal directions. The movement in

vertical direction do not cause forces

in superstructure to any significant

extent. But the horizontal movement of

the building at the time of earthquake

is to be considered while designing.

Earthquake load takes place due to the inertia force produced in the building

because of seismic excitations. Inertia force varies with the mass. The higher

mass of the structure will imply that the earthquake loading will also be high.

When the earthquake load exceeds the moment of resistance offered by the
element, then the structure will break or damage. The magnitude of earthquake

loading depends upon the weight or mass of the building, dynamic properties of

the building and difference in stiffness of adjacent floors along with the intensity

and duration of the earthquake. Earthquake load acts over the surface of a

structure placed on the ground or with an adjacent building. Buildings in areas of

seismic activity need to be carefully analysed and designed to ensure they do

not fail if an earthquake should occur.

TYPES OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

SLAB

A slab is a structural element, made of

concrete, that is used to create flat

horizontal surfaces such as floors, roof

decks and ceilings. A slab is generally

several inches thick and supported by

beams,columns, walls, or the ground.

Concrete slabs can be prefabricated off-

site and lowered into place or may be

poured in-situ using formwork. If

reinforcement is required, slabs can be pre-

stressed or the concrete can be poured

over rebar positioned within the formwork

Slabs serve as floor or roof by carrying the loads imposed on them. Slabs are

constructed to provide flat surfaces, usually horizontal in building floors, roofs,

bridges, and other types of structures. The slab may be supported by walls or

by reinforced concrete beams usually cast monolithically with the slab or by

structural steel beams or by columns, or by the ground. A concrete slab is a

common structural element of modern buildings.

TYPES OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

BEAMS

Beams are structural elements that resists

loads applied laterally to their axis. They

typically transfer loads imposed along their

length to their end points where the loads

are transferred to walls, columns,

foundations, and so on

They may be statically determinate, that is,

their reactions can be solved using

equilibrium conditions, or they can be

statically indeterminate.

Historically, beams were formed from timber, but they may also be

manufactured from steel, or concrete or they may be composite constructions.

A wide variety of cross section shapes are commonly available, including;

square, rectangular, circular, I-shaped, T-shaped, H-shaped, C-shaped, tubular,

and so on.

Beams carry the loads transmitted from slabs and walls. A beam is a structural

element that primarily resists loads applied laterally to the beam’s axis. Its

mode of deflection is primarily by bending. Beams are characterized by their

manner of support, profile (shape of cross-section), length, and their material.

The reason an I section is used in beam design is because a beam resists

bending. When a beam bends, the lower most part of it is in tension, and the
uppermost is in compression. Simply, its flange carry bending while the web
carry the shear. We can have large spans with lesser weight of material due its

shape.
TYPES OF STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

FOUNDATION

Footings in foundations

Foundations provide support for structures, transferring their load to layers

of soil or rock that have sufficient bearing capacity and suitable settlement

characteristics.

The term ‘footing’ or ‘footings’ is an ambiguous one that can be interpreted

in a number of ways. In some cases ‘footings’ is used as a synonym for

shallow foundations. Shallow foundations are typically used where the loads

imposed by a structure are low relative to the bearing capacity of the

surface soils. Here, the most commonly used term is ‘strip footing’ (or
footings), referring to a strip foundations, used to provide a continuous strip

of support to a linear structure such as a wall.

Footing distribute the loads transmitted from the columns into soil. Footings

are an important part of foundation construction. They are typically made of

concrete with rebar reinforcement that has been poured into an excavated

trench. The purpose of footings is to support the foundation and prevent

settling. Footings are especially important in areas with troublesome soils.