Which category of loads includes the weight of the building itself?

The category of loads that includes the weight of the building itself is known as dead loads. Dead loads refer to the static forces that are a permanent part of the structure. This includes all of the weight from the building materials, such as beams, walls, floors, roofs, and any other structural elements that are fixed in place.

Understanding dead loads is essential in the design and analysis of buildings, as they significantly affect the stability and strength requirements of the structure. Engineers and architects account for these loads to ensure that the structure can safely support its own weight as well as any additional live loads it may need to withstand during its use.

In contrast, live loads are temporary forces that can change over time, such as people, furniture, and movable equipment. Wind loads and seismic loads are dynamic and involve external forces acting on the structure due to weather conditions or ground movements, respectively. While all these loads are critical in determining a building's design criteria, it is specifically the dead loads that comprise the weight of the building itself.