Load testing

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title: "Load testing" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["software-testing", "quality-assurance", "load-testing-tools", "tests"] description: "Process of putting demand on a system and measuring its response" topic_path: "technology/software-engineering" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Load_testing" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Process of putting demand on a system and measuring its response ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Umgeni_River_Bridge_Load_Test.jpg" caption="Load testing a railroad bridge, 1883"] ::

Load testing is the process of putting demand on a structure or system and measuring its response.

Physical load testing

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Load_test.svg" caption="Symbol used in geotechnical drawings"] ::

Many types of machinery, engines, structures, and motors are load tested. The load may be at a designated safe working load (SWL), full load, or at an aggravated level of load. The governing contract, technical specification or test method contains the details of conducting the test. The purpose of a mechanical load test is to verify that all the component parts of a structure including materials, base-fixings are fit for task and loading it is designed for.

Several types of load testing are employed

• Static testing is when a designated constant load is applied for a specified time.
• Dynamic testing is when a variable or moving load is applied.
• Cyclical testing consists of repeated loading and unloading for specified cycles, durations and conditions.

The Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulation 1992 UK state that load testing is undertaken before the equipment is put into service for the first time. Performance testing applies a safe working load (SWL), or other specified load, for a designated time in a governing test method, specification, or contract. Under the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 UK load testing after the initial test is required if a major component is replaced, if the item is moved from one location to another or as dictated by the competent person.

Software load testing

References

References

1. (2003). "Design of the 6C Heavy-Duty Gas Turbine". ASME 1..
2. (2004). "23rd International Conference on Offshore Mechanics and Arctic Engineering, Volume 1, Parts a and B". ASME.
3. (2010). "DETERMINING ELECTRIC MOTOR LOAD AND EFFICIENCY". US Department of Energy.

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::