Design load
Encyclopedia
In a general sense, the design load is the maximum amount of something a system is designed to handle or the maximum amount of something that the system can produce, which are very different meanings. For example, a crane
with a design load of 20 tons is designed to be able to lift loads that weigh 20 tons or less. However, when a failure could be catastrophic, such as a crane dropping its load or collapsing entirely, a factor of safety
is necessary. As a result, the crane should lift about 2 to 5 tons at the most.
In Structural design, a design load is in fact greater than the load which the system is expected to support. This is because engineers incorporate a Safety factor in their design, in order to ensure that the system will be able to support at least the expected loads (called Specified loads, despite any problems with construction, materials, etc that go unnoticed during construction.
A heater
would have a general design load, meaning the maximum amount of heat it can produce. A bridge would have a specified load, with the design load being determined by engineers and applied as a theoretical load indended to ensure the actual real-world capacity of the specified load.
Crane (machine)
A crane is a type of machine, generally equipped with a hoist, wire ropes or chains, and sheaves, that can be used both to lift and lower materials and to move them horizontally. It uses one or more simple machines to create mechanical advantage and thus move loads beyond the normal capability of...
with a design load of 20 tons is designed to be able to lift loads that weigh 20 tons or less. However, when a failure could be catastrophic, such as a crane dropping its load or collapsing entirely, a factor of safety
Factor of safety
Factor of safety , also known as safety factor , is a term describing the structural capacity of a system beyond the expected loads or actual loads. Essentially, how much stronger the system is than it usually needs to be for an intended load...
is necessary. As a result, the crane should lift about 2 to 5 tons at the most.
In Structural design, a design load is in fact greater than the load which the system is expected to support. This is because engineers incorporate a Safety factor in their design, in order to ensure that the system will be able to support at least the expected loads (called Specified loads, despite any problems with construction, materials, etc that go unnoticed during construction.
A heater
Heater
A heater is an object that emits heat or causes another body to achieve a higher temperature. In a household or domestic setting, heaters are usually appliances whose purpose is to generate heating...
would have a general design load, meaning the maximum amount of heat it can produce. A bridge would have a specified load, with the design load being determined by engineers and applied as a theoretical load indended to ensure the actual real-world capacity of the specified load.
See also
- Limit states design
- Factor of safetyFactor of safetyFactor of safety , also known as safety factor , is a term describing the structural capacity of a system beyond the expected loads or actual loads. Essentially, how much stronger the system is than it usually needs to be for an intended load...
- Specified loadSpecified loadIn civil engineering, specified loads are the best estimate of the actual loads a structure is expected to carry. These loads come in many different forms, such as people, equipment, vehicles, wind, rain, snow, earthquakes, the building materials themselves, etc. Specified Loads also known as...