loadtransfer

Load transfer is the redistribution of loads within a system when external conditions or configurations change. It is a general concept used across mechanical, civil, and electrical engineering to understand how forces or demands are shared among components.

In vehicle dynamics, load transfer describes how weight shifts between axles and across the vehicle's sides during motion. Longitudinal load transfer occurs with acceleration or deceleration, causing weight to move toward the rear during acceleration and toward the front during braking. An approximate expression for the change in load on the front axle is ΔF_front ≈ m a h / t, where m is vehicle mass, a is longitudinal acceleration, h is the height of the center of gravity, and t is the wheel track width. Lateral load transfer arises during cornering as load shifts to the outer wheels, influenced by lateral acceleration and suspension stiffness. These transfers affect grip, tire wear, handling, and rollover risk, and are influenced by suspension design, anti-roll mechanisms, tire behavior, and CG height.

In civil and structural engineering, load transfer concerns how internal forces redistribute within a structure as it deforms under wind, seismic activity, or other loads. Proper understanding helps ensure joints, connections, and members can carry redistributed forces without local failures or excessive deformation.

In electrical engineering, load transfer refers to the redistribution of electrical load among generators and transmission lines when generation, demand, or topology changes. Power-flow analysis and transfer factors are used to predict how loads shift to maintain balance and reliability while respecting line ratings and system constraints.

Overall, load transfer highlights the dynamic distribution of forces or demands and its implications for safety, performance, and reliability.