Structural load
forces, deformations, or accelerations applied to a structure or its components / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Structural loads or actions are forces, deformations, or accelerations applied to a structure or its components.[1][2] A load is the amount of weight a structure has to carry. Loads cause stresses, deformations, and displacements in structures. Structural analysis is the calculation of the effects of loads on physical structures. Excess load or overloading may cause structural failure. This is a consideration in the design and construction of a structure.
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Mechanical structures, such as aircraft, satellites, rockets, space stations, ships and submarines, have their own particular structural loads and actions.[3] In a vehicle, especially trucks, the chassis is designed to carry the structural load.[4] In many cars unibody construction is used where the metal skin (or other materials) is designed to carry the load.[4]
Gravity on Earth is an attractive force that affects all objects. A gravity load is one that the downward force of gravity affects.