Structural load

As ballast is defined as the increased pressure, the fluid or rock layer exerts on the underlying material in the geosciences.

A steady applied load causes a volume reduction of the burdensome layers, the extent of which depends on the pressure and the bulk modulus. In prolonged periods, it can also geological structure changes (eg compaction of sediments, foliation ), come to subsidence or horizontal thrusts.

A variable ballast - such as the Earth's atmosphere, groundwater or the ocean tides - caused depending on the material elastic or plastic deformation, which are detectable with modern measuring methods and the total earth system today.

The Structural subsumed under vertical loads acting by all her weight on the building components. The load transfer occurs through specific design of structures or other structural components. For foundations or retaining walls and the lateral earth pressure is attributable to the applied loads, tunneling of the so-called rock pressure.

Even the construction industry knows variable loads, such as the payloads in the building, the wind and snow load, the ice pressure, water pressure and possible lift.