Basic Concepts of Structural Analysis: Loads, Stresses, Strains - JSS1 Basic technology Lesson Note

Loads: Loads are forces or other actions that cause stresses, deformations, and displacements in structures. There are several types of loads, including:

1. Dead Loads: Permanent, static forces that are relatively constant over time, such as the weight of the structure itself.
2. Live Loads: Temporary or dynamic forces that can change, such as people, furniture, vehicles, and wind.
3. Environmental Loads:** Forces from natural events, such as wind, earthquakes, snow, and temperature changes.

Stresses: Stress is the internal resistance offered by a material to an external force, measured as force per unit area. Types of stresses include:

1. Tensile Stress: Stress that occurs when a material is subjected to pulling forces, causing it to stretch.
2. Compressive Stress: Stress that occurs when a material is subjected to pushing forces, causing it to shorten.
3. Shear Stress: Stress that occurs when forces are applied parallel to a surface, causing layers of the material to slide past one another.

Strains: Strain is the deformation or displacement of a material in response to an applied stress. It is a measure of how much a structure deforms under load, relative to its original dimensions. Strain can be elastic (temporary and reversible) or plastic (permanent).