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Structural load
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<p>A structural load or structural action is a <a href="/facts/Mechanical_load/BNmGTv0I">mechanical load</a> (more generally a <a href="/facts/Force/533Q1uzq">force</a>) applied to <a href="/facts/Structural_engineering/Wj1vpoGh">structural elements</a>. A load causes <a href="/facts/Stress_(physics)/ErAXDbbd">stress</a>, <a href="/facts/Deformation_(engineering)/z1LEmkQX">deformation</a>, <a href="/facts/Displacement_(vector)/jkmEfS3C">displacement</a> or <a href="/facts/Acceleration/UVDmjYvR">acceleration</a> in a <a href="/facts/Structure/xQDPtqDQ">structure</a>. <a href="/facts/Structural_analysis/phRJdfup">Structural analysis</a>, a discipline in <a href="/facts/Engineering/RFVg8H3I">engineering</a>, analyzes the effects of loads on structures and structural elements. Excess load may cause <a href="/facts/Structural_failure/5aYoMIlw">structural failure</a>, so this should be considered and controlled during the design of a structure. Particular mechanical structures—such as <a href="/facts/Aircraft/EhC4mBep">aircraft</a>, <a href="/facts/Satellite/PTX8c68t">satellites</a>, <a href="/facts/Rocket/b6j4keIl">rockets</a>, <a href="/facts/Space_station/2HtaLbDH">space stations</a>, <a href="/facts/Ship/418ptx1L">ships</a>, and <a href="/facts/Submarine/6fhcAKHV">submarines</a>—are subject to their own particular structural loads and actions. Engineers often evaluate structural loads based upon published <a href="/facts/Regulation/eFR0l2x9">regulations</a>, <a href="/facts/Contract/SkqyGj6S">contracts</a>, or <a href="/facts/Specification/xEMUsktp">specifications</a>. Accepted <a href="/facts/Technical_standard/P4orT1SM">technical standards</a> are used for <a href="/facts/Acceptance_testing/xlDUeQ0M">acceptance testing</a> and <a href="/facts/Inspection/VIHSpFXp">inspection</a>. </p>