Any static loading on a structure, when combined with the structure support reactions (considered as additional loads), is a self-equilibrium loading. In such a loading the total loads upon the structure are in force and moment equilibrium. However, the equilibrium loads still produce moments and forces in the structure.

In certain cases, it is desirable to analyze a self-equilibrium loading upon a floor system while ignoring the effects of the floor system supports. We call this type of analysis a self-equilibrium analysis.