Which load is applied within a small area or at one point?

• A. Concentrated load
• B. Distributed load
• C. Live load
• D. Dead load

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is how loads are distributed on a structure. When a force is applied within a small area or at a single point, it’s a concentrated load. This means the force acts essentially at one location, which can create higher local stress and is often modeled as a single force vector applied at a node in structural analysis. In contrast, a distributed load is spread over a length or area, producing different effects along the member, such as varying shear and bending along its span. Live loads and dead loads describe whether the load is temporary/occupant-related or permanent/structural, respectively, but they don’t specify how that load is spread. So the description of a load confined to a small area or single point matches concentrated load.