What is dead load in building calculations?

Dead load refers to the permanent static loads that a building structure experiences. This includes the weight of the building materials, such as walls, floors, roofs, and any fixed equipment that is permanently attached to the structure, like HVAC systems or elevators. Understanding dead loads is critical in structural design because they are constant over time and are fundamental in determining a building's stability and strength under its own weight.

Permanent static loads are essential to consider during calculations because they significantly affect how the structure will behave under various conditions. Accurately accounting for these loads helps engineers ensure that structures can support themselves and any additional live loads that may occur.

In contrast, temporary loads, environmental loads, and dynamic loads all present different challenges and require separate considerations in engineering calculations, but they do not define dead loads specifically.