In structural engineering, what does the term 'load' refer to?

In structural engineering, the term 'load' specifically refers to the force applied to a structure. This encompasses various types of forces that the structure must support during its lifespan, including live loads (such as occupants and furnishings), dead loads (the weight of the structure itself and any permanent fixtures), environmental loads (like wind and seismic forces), and other transient forces that may occur.

Understanding 'load' is critical for engineers as it directly influences the design and safety of structures. Engineers must calculate and anticipate these loads to determine how materials will behave under stress, ensuring the structure can withstand everyday use and extreme conditions without failure.

While the weight of materials and the capacity of a structure are important concepts in engineering, they do not define what a 'load' is. The visual assessment of structures does not pertain to the specific definition of loads but rather involves evaluating structural integrity and safety through observation. Thus, the correct term for 'load' in this context is indeed the force applied to a structure.