Point Load vs. Distributed Load

Although it may seem trivial, the type of load has just about as much of an impact as the magnitude of the load. You may have heard the terms “point load” and “distributed load” before, and in this article, we are going to address them both and how they apply to our industry. These differences should not be overlooked, as they can have a significant impact on the integrity of your structure.

What is a point load?

It’s a bit self-explanatory, but a point load is a load that is applied at a single point on a structure. Depending on where this load is located, it can be more demanding on structure than a distributed load. For example, if a point load is applied in the center of a beam, this would be more demanding on the beam than a distributed load of the same magnitude. 

What is a distributed load?

A distributed load, also known as “line load”, is a load that is spread over a component of a structure. In our industry, distributed loads are typically even distributed, meaning that the loading is consistent along the component. Distributed loads are expressed in a weight per length (Ex: lb/ft, kips/in, etc.).

What’s the difference?

Depending on the scenario, one load can be more demanding than the other. For example, a 5000# point load in the middle of the beam is more demanding than a 5000# load evenly distributed over the length of the beam. 

In our industry, a two-pallet wide bay is typically designed using a distributed load across the beams. But if the product isn’t as evenly distributed in nature (like a coil for example), it may be more appropriate to design the system using point loads. This would be something to let your engineer know. 

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