What is the term for the weight of a building itself, without contents, as it sits on the foundation?

The term for the weight of a building itself, without any contents, as it rests on its foundation is referred to as the dead load. This includes the weight of the structural elements such as beams, walls, and floors, and is essential in determining the overall stability of a building. Understanding dead load is crucial for engineers and architects when designing structures to ensure they can safely support themselves without collapsing under their own weight.

In contrast, live load refers to additional loads that can change over time, such as occupancy, furniture, and equipment. Static load is a broader term that encompasses any load that is unchanging and applied in a static manner—while dead load falls under this category, it specifically focuses on the weight of the structure itself. Dynamic load involves loads that change over time, such as wind or seismic activity, and are not concerned with the constant weight of the structure. Each of these concepts plays a vital role in structural engineering, but dead load specifically addresses the inherent weight of the building.