“水平负载”常见的英文表达是 “horizontal load” 。
“horizontal”意思是“水平的;横向的” ,“load”意为“负载;负荷” ,二者组合就准确表达了“水平负载”这一概念。例如:The bridge must be designed to withstand strong horizontal loads during earthquakes.(这座桥必须设计成能够承受地震时的强大水平负载。 )