dead load

American  

noun

Engineering.

1. load11

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dead load British  

noun

1. Also called: dead weight.  the intrinsic invariable weight of a structure, such as a bridge. It may also include any permanent loads attached to the structure Compare live load

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Etymology

Origin of dead load

An Americanism dating back to 1865–70

Example Sentences

Can your roof support the extra dead load of the panels?

From Seattle Times • Sep. 13, 2022

Then the bridge is designed, so far as the direct stresses are concerned, for bending moments due to a uniform dead load and the uniform equivalent load we.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

By dead load is meant the weight of the steelwork, floors and walls, as distinguished from the office furniture and occupants which come under the head of living load.

From Marvels of Modern Science by Severing, Paul

Meantime Nan herself was going about with a dead load of misery on her heart.

From The Governess by Chickering, Charles R.

And in Valentine Hawkehurst's heart there was an aching pain—a dull dead load of care, which had never been lightened from the hour when he first perceived the change in his dear one's face.

From Charlotte's Inheritance by Braddon, M. E. (Mary Elizabeth)