What is required capacity on a structure based on factored loads called?

The term that refers to the required capacity on a structure based on factored loads is known as the design load. When engineers design a structure, they consider various loads that the structure will experience, such as dead loads (permanent/static loads) and live loads (temporary/dynamic loads). To ensure safety and account for uncertainties, these loads are factored, usually through a combination of safety factors or load factors, which increase the load values.

The design load is critical because it represents the maximum load that a structure is intended to support during its service life, providing a margin for safety against failure and ensuring that the structure can withstand expected and unexpected forces. By adhering to the design load criteria, engineers are able to create safe and resilient structures that meet regulatory standards and protect public safety.

In contrast, the other terms listed do not accurately describe this concept. Factored demand relates more to the analysis of loads under specific conditions rather than the design itself. Live load specifically refers to the movable loads on a structure, which are part of the design considerations but do not encompass the entirety of the required capacity. Service load is associated with the loads that a structure is expected to carry under normal conditions without any factors applied, which differs from the design load that