Brannigan's Building Construction for the Fire Service Practice Test

The term that best describes loads applied intermittently is "Repeated Loads." These types of loads are characterized by their nature of being applied fluctuating or in cycles rather than being constant throughout the structure's lifespan. In engineering and construction, understanding how loads behave is crucial for ensuring the integrity and safety of a building or structure.

Repeated loads can cause fatigue in materials over time, leading to potential structural failure if not properly accounted for in the design. Therefore, engineers must consider how these loads will affect the performance and longevity of building materials during the construction phase.

Other terms like static and dynamic loads refer to different kinds of load behavior. Static loads are those that remain constant over time, and dynamic loads involve changing forces usually due to moving objects or loads. Live loads involve transient forces, such as occupancy loads in buildings, but do not specifically cover the aspect of being applied intermittently in the same way that repeated loads do. Recognizing the specific nuances between these types of loads helps in designing structures capable of withstanding varying stressors throughout their use.