These are the common types of loads that a structure can experience. Now let us see some of the common types of loads acting on the structure and these loads may fall under one or more of the above-listed categories of classification. The above classification covers the major types of loads acting on a structure. Source of the Loadingīased on the source, loads are classified into many types. Vehicles moving on a bridge deck or forces developed due to earthquake are some of the dynamic loads. The change is very noticeable and has an impact on the structure. It changes its magnitude with respect to time. Self-weight of a structure is a static load.ĭynamic Loads are time-variant loads. Static loads are independent of time and the magnitude of the load does not change with respect to time (at least we assume it that way). Temporal distribution is the rate of change in the magnitude of the load. There is nothing like purely concentrated load, the space taken by the load is so small that we consider it to be Concentrated. This is a very common classification that we often come across.

Spatial distribution of the loads implies that the space in which the load acts. With respect to the duration, loads are classified into This classification is important in determining the structural system that is to be used. Gravity loads are the loads that act along with the gravity (Vertical direction) while Lateral loads act in the other two (horizontal) directions. Based on their direction in which they act on a structure, loads are classified into two major categories.

Types of bldg locad