Bridge loads

Dead Load:

The weight of the structure itself is called a dead load. Anything permanently attached to the structure  is part of a dead load including the columns, beams, nuts and bolts

Live Load:

The weight of the stuff on the structure is called the live load. Things that move in or on a structure, like people, cars are

all  examples of a live load.

Settlement Load:

When the soil beneath settles unevenly, it is called the settlement load. Structures will sink and change shape when they experience settlement load.

Thermal Load:When a structure expands

or shrinks with the temperature, it is  experiencing thermal load. The temperature causes beams and columns to change the shape and push and pull on other parts of the structure.

Earthquake Load:

When the ground beneath a structure jerks back and forth during a n earthquake, it is called an earthquake load. Earthquake  loads push and pull horizontally on a structure.

Dynamic load:

Loads that change shape over time are called a dynamic load. Dynamic loads from wind gusts to pounding objects create vibration that can become bigger and more dangerous over time.