A static load is any continuous weight acting on a building element that does not move or change in magnitude. This includes the dead weight of the building materials themselves, as well as permanently installed equipment like HVAC units. Engineers calculate this baseline force to determine the minimum required strength of foundations, columns, and beams.
The new rooftop chiller adds a significant static load, so we need to reinforce those steel joists.
Do not mix it up with
- Dead load: Dead load refers specifically to the weight of the structure itself, while a static load includes any unmoving weight, including permanent fixtures.
Related terms
Dead load
The permanent, stationary weight of a building's structural elements and fixed equipment.
Live load
The temporary or moving weight that a structure must be designed to support.
Design load
The maximum combination of forces a structure is engineered to safely support.
Snow load
The downward force exerted on a building by accumulated snow and ice.