Repeated load example

• A. Loads that are transient or intermittently applied, like people on an escalator
• B. A single permanent load
• C. A constant wind load
• D. A static load on a beam

Answer: (A)

Repeated load means loads that are applied, removed, or changed in magnitude many times, creating cycles in the structure. The best example is loads that are transient or intermittently applied, like people on an escalator. Each person stepping onto or off the escalator adds a new load event, so the structure experiences repeated loading over time. This cyclic nature is what makes it a repeated-load scenario and is important for understanding fatigue and how members respond to changing stresses.

A single permanent load is applied once and stays constant, so it does not produce cycles. A constant wind load is steady and does not inherently alternate; even though wind can vary, the phrasing “constant” implies no repeating load cycle. A static load on a beam likewise remains the same over time, lacking the repeated cycling that defines repeated loads.