In building construction, what does a live load represent?

A live load refers to the weight that a building or structure encounters during its use, which can include the weight of occupants, furniture, and movable items within the space. This type of load is dynamic and can change over time as the usage of the space changes — for instance, a conference room may have a different live load when filled with tables and chairs compared to when it is empty.

In a structural design context, live loads are critical to understanding how the building will respond under varying conditions and are taken into account when calculating the overall load-bearing needs.

Other types of loads, such as static and dead loads, represent more permanent aspects of the structure, like the weight of materials used in construction or fixed machinery. These are not included in the definition of live load, underscoring why the choice that states live load is the weight of occupants and furniture is the most accurate representation.