Construction Supervisor License Practice Exam

Which one of the following is considered not to be a dead load?

1. Partition walls not connected to the ceiling

2. Partition walls connected to the ceiling

3. Snow

4. Stairways

The correct answer is: Snow

In the context of structural engineering, dead loads refer to the permanent, static forces that are constantly acting on a structure. These loads typically include the weight of the building materials, such as floors, walls, roofs, and permanent fixtures. Snow is classified as a live load rather than a dead load because it is not a permanent weight. Live loads are variable and can change over time, as they depend on occupancy, environmental factors, or other transient elements, such as weather conditions. Since snow accumulation can fluctuate depending on weather patterns and can be removed or melt away, it does not have the same permanent, static nature as dead loads, making it the correct choice in this context. Partition walls connected to the ceiling and stairways are both considered dead loads as they are part of the permanent structural components of a building. Partition walls not connected to the ceiling could technically be considered live loads if they are moveable, but since they are still part of the structure, they tend to be treated similarly to dead loads in many contexts.