Gravitationslaster

Gravitationslaster, or gravitational load, is the force exerted on a body or structure by gravity. In physics it corresponds to weight, defined as W = m g, where m is mass and g is the local acceleration due to gravity. On Earth, g is approximately 9.81 m/s^2, with small variations by location and altitude. In engineering practice this load is a central consideration in the design of buildings, bridges, and mechanical components.

Structural gravitational loads are typically categorized as dead loads and live loads. Dead loads come from the permanent mass of the structure and fixed installations, such as walls, floors, ceilings, and embedded equipment. Live loads arise from movable or changeable masses, such as people, furniture, and stored goods. Additional gravity-related loads include environmental weights like snow on roofs or accumulated water on surfaces; these are treated as gravity-induced actions in load assessments and may vary over time or with climate.

Calculation and application: gravitational loads are expressed as forces (newtons) or as distributed loads (kN/m^2) on design drawings. Structural analysis determines the resulting stresses and deflections, and design codes specify how these loads should be combined with other actions (such as wind or seismic) using safety factors. Gravitational loads are a fundamental baseline in static design, providing the baseline against which safety and performance are evaluated.