Egenviktdødlaster

Egenviktdødlaster is a term used in structural engineering to denote the self-weight component of dead loads in a building or structure. It represents the permanent weight caused by the structure’s own elements and fixed installations, such as floors, walls, beams, columns, stairs, and cladding, as well as permanently attached equipment. Egenviktdødlaster is distinguished from other dead loads that may be present (such as fixed non-structural elements) and from live loads that arise from occupancy and use.

The calculation of egenvektdødlaster is typically done by estimating the volume of each element and multiplying by its material density. In practice, this means multiplying the volume by a material density expressed as a weight per unit volume (gamma). Typical gamma values are around 25 kN/m³ for reinforced concrete, about 22–25 kN/m³ for concrete without reinforcement depending on mix, approximately 78 kN/m³ for steel, and lower values for timber depending on species. For a floor slab, the self-weight per area (W/A) can be estimated as gamma times the thickness (W/A = gamma × t). For example, a 0.2 m thick concrete slab yields roughly 5 kN/m² of self-weight.

Egenviktdødlaster is considered in structural design when determining member sizes, distribution of loads, and reactions at supports. It is included in load combinations along with live loads, environmental effects, and safety factors as mandated by design codes. Variations in moisture content, porosity, and construction details can affect actual weight, so verification with as-built measurements or detailed sectional analyses is common in final designs.

See also: dead load, live load, load combination, structural design, building codes.