Alabama Contractors License Practice Exam

Special loads for steel joists include all of the following, except:

1. Bending moments

2. End moments

3. Concentrated loads

4. Non-uniform loads

The correct answer is: Non-uniform loads

In the context of steel joists, special loads are specific forces and moments that can influence how the joists behave under stress. These loads typically include bending moments, end moments, and concentrated loads. Bending moments refer to the internal moments that arise from loads applied to the structure, which cause it to bend. End moments occur at the supports or ends of the joists, significantly affecting their stability and design. Concentrated loads are individual point loads that act on a specific location of a joist, which can lead to local stress concentrations. Non-uniform loads, while important in construction, do not fall under the category of special loads for steel joists. Instead, they represent a loading scenario where the load varies along the length of the joist, which is typically analyzed as a continuous load rather than a specific special load. Thus, it's clear why non-uniform loads are not included in the list of special loads for steel joists.