dead load

A dead load refers to the constant weight of a structure itself, including its components and any permanent attachments. This is distinct from live loads, which are temporary and variable, such as traffic on a bridge.12

In engineering, understanding dead load is crucial for designing safe and stable structures like bridges and buildings. On shorter spans, the dead load is typically less significant than the live load. However, as spans increase, the dead load becomes a more dominant factor, necessitating designs that minimize this weight to ensure structural integrity. The term "deadweight" can also refer to this dead load or the total weight a ship carries.123