Lastdiagramm

Lastdiagramm, literally “load diagram” in German, is a term used in engineering to describe graphical representations of loads acting on a structure, component, or system. It is used to visualize how forces, moments, or electrical demands vary over space or time, and to support design, analysis, and safety assessment.

In civil and mechanical engineering, Lastdiagramm typically refers to diagrams that map internal forces along a structure or mechanism, such as shear force diagrams and bending moment diagrams for beams, or force and torque distributions in a mechanism. These diagrams are generated from statics, dynamics, or finite element analysis and are used to select section sizes, materials, reinforcements, tolerances, and supports. They can be static (constant loading) or dynamic (varying with time).

In electrical engineering and power engineering, a Lastdiagramm may describe load curves showing how electrical demand or component loading changes during operation, aiding capacity planning, reliability analysis, and protection coordination.

Creation and interpretation: define the geometry and load cases, compute reactions and internal quantities, and plot the results along the length or over time. Engineers often use standardized formats and annotations to indicate critical values, units, and safety margins. Variants include envelope diagrams that combine multiple scenarios and fatigue-focused diagrams that identify cycles exceeding material limits.

Note: The exact meaning of Lastdiagramm can vary by discipline and region; in German-language contexts it generally denotes a visual representation of loads used to guide design decisions.