In structural design, which term denotes the weight of fixed building components such as walls and floors?

In structural design, which term denotes the weight of fixed building components such as walls and floors?

• A. Dead load
• B. Live loads
• C. Compression
• D. Tension

Answer: (A)

The weight of fixed building components is called dead load. These are permanent, unchanging forces from parts like walls, floors, roofs, and other elements attached to the structure. Live loads, by contrast, are loads that can vary over time—people, furniture, movable equipment, and other temporary forces. Compression and tension describe how members carry forces (compression squeezes, tension pulls) rather than the source of the load. So the term that fits fixed components like walls and floors is dead load.

The weight of fixed building components is called dead load. These are permanent, unchanging forces from parts like walls, floors, roofs, and other elements attached to the structure. Live loads, by contrast, are loads that can vary over time—people, furniture, movable equipment, and other temporary forces. Compression and tension describe how members carry forces (compression squeezes, tension pulls) rather than the source of the load. So the term that fits fixed components like walls and floors is dead load.