What is a force that is perpendicular to the plane of the section but does not pass through its center?

An eccentric load refers to a force that acts on a structural element but not directly through its center of gravity. In this context, it causes both translational and rotational effects due to the distance from that central point. As such, an eccentric load exerts a perpendicular force that impacts the stability and performance of the structure, especially when it does not align with the center of the section being analyzed.

When a load is applied this way, it can create bending moments and additional stresses in the structural members, making the understanding of eccentric loads crucial for the evaluation of structural integrity in fire service and other engineering applications. This differs from axial and shear loads, which are characterized by their application either through the center or along the plane rather than off-center, leading to distinct structural responses. Similarly, a concentrated load describes a load applied over a small area but does not specifically denote its eccentricity relative to a section’s center. Understanding these concepts is vital in evaluating building performance under various load conditions.