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Structural

Dead Load

In Plain English

The constant weight of the building's own materials and permanently installed components.

Definition

The permanent, static weight of a structure's own materials, including framing, decking, roofing, flooring, and fixed mechanical equipment. Dead loads do not change over the life of the building and must be fully supported at all times. Structural members are sized to carry both dead loads and anticipated live loads.

Example

The structural engineer calculated a dead load of 15 psf for the roof assembly, including decking, insulation, and roofing membrane.

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