In a system and method for aircraft brake metering to alleviate structural loading, one or more electric brake actuators for wheel brakes having a range of brake clamping force are provided, and a brake actuation controller is configured to monitor commanded initiation of the aircraft, to limit initial brake effort of the electric brake actuators to a preset fraction of a maximum possible braking effort for a preset period of time, and to permit brake effort of the electric brake actuators up to the maximum possible braking effort after the preset period of time after initiation of braking has been commanded. The preset fraction is preferably approximately 50% of the maximum possible braking effort, and may be tuneable. The preset period of time is preferably approximately one second, and also may be tuneable.