lokalbelastninger

Lokalbelastninger refer to the loads that act on a structure from sources that are specific to that particular location. In civil engineering and construction, these loads are distinguished from external or building‑related loads such as the weight of occupants, furniture or equipment. They arise from the interaction of the structure with its immediate environment and are a key aspect of structural analysis in both building design and bridge engineering.

Typical sources of lokalbelastninger include soil pressure, groundwater pressure, seismic forces, snow accumulation, wind pressure, thermal expansion, frost heave, and possible chemical attack from surrounding materials. When a structure is embedded in or adjacent to a slab, foundation, or retaining wall, the surrounding earth exerts significant pressure that varies with depth and soil properties. Moisture movement can cause swelling or shrinkage, which is treated as a local load in the design. For pavement and bridge decks, the mass of traffic knots, toll booth equipment, lighting, and drainage systems are considered local loads because they are fixed at specific points and do not vary with the overall building layout.

The design of lokalbelastninger is governed by national codes such as the Eurocode 7 for geotechnical design and Eurocode 1 for actions on structures, which prescribe load factors and combinations. Engineers often perform detailed modelling using finite element analysis, especially for complex ground conditions or when the structure is exposed to uneven load distribution. Accurate evaluation of lokalbelastninger is essential because underestimating them can lead to excessive settlement or structural failure, while overestimating them can result in unnecessary cost and weight. In practice, continuous monitoring with sensors is increasingly used to verify that the actual loads remain within the design envelope throughout the structure’s life.