What do lateral loads include?

Lateral loads refer to forces that act horizontally on a structure, as opposed to vertical loads, which include gravity and the weight of the building itself. The correct answer highlights that lateral loads encompass forces that push against a structure, such as wind, seismic activity, and other external pressures. These forces can create a twisting or swaying motion in buildings, making it crucial for engineers and rescuers to understand how structures respond to these dynamic loads. This awareness is essential in developing effective strategies for rescue operations and ensuring the stability of buildings during or after an event like an earthquake or severe weather.

The other choices relate to vertical forces or specific stimuli but do not encompass the horizontal nature of lateral loads. Gravity and dead loads focus on vertical weight, while the static weight of a building also falls into that category. Vibrations from machinery, while they can affect a building, are not classified as lateral loads in the context of structural engineering.