Prepared by Marcia C.

Belcher, PE

Dead Loads
Dead Loads:
Weight of building, finishes & materials
Utilities, piping, lighting, HVAC, etc.
Stationary service
Expressed in terms of load per unit area (psf) on the
structures surface

Load on any member is expressed as a uniform load

Unit load multiplied by tributary width of member

If DL on horizontal projection is 47 psf:

What is uniform load on beam AB?

Dead Loads

How do we handle repetitive members like

bar joist, floor joist or repetitive steel beams?
They are usually also express in terms of load per unit
area and applied like a blanket load in psf.
For example: Floor joist that weight 4.5 lb/ft are
spaced at 16 o/c. Express this as a blanket load.

4.5 lb/ft 1.33 ft = 3.5 psf

Dead Load: Example

A framing plan consists of the following:

Asphalt shingles (2 psf), in. plywood (2.5 psf), 2x8
framing @ 12 in. o/c (2.5 psf), 0.5 in. fiberglass insulation
(1psf), plaster ceiling (10 psf). Determine the roof dead
load and make provisions for one reroofing (3 psf).

ASCE 7 Dead Loads

Construction material dead loads are often

determined using ASCE Publication 7.
ASCE Minimum Design Dead Loads for Structures.

Live Loads

Live loads are similar to dead loads:

they act vertically downward

They differ in that they are NOT due to integral

parts of the structure.
Results from objects that can be moved or removed.

Occupancy live loads = floor live loads (L)

Roof live loads (Lr) = roof loads that account for

maintenance & related equipment/materials

ASCE 7 Live Loads

Structural occupancy minimum live loads are

specified by ASCE Publication 7.
ASCE Minimum Design Live Loads for Structures.

Live Load Reduction

For structural members that have an influence area greater

than 400 ft2
The live load may be reduced since it is not likely that an area that large
will ever feel the extent of the basic live load
Exemptions: LL over 100 psf, parking garages and public assembly areas.

Live Load Reduction

How it works:

Influence area = KLLAT

If KLLAT > 400 ft2

Then, LL= kLo

k = {.25 + 15 }
(KLLAT)

Live Load Reduction

The first floor framing plan of a single family

dwelling is shown above. Determine the
magnitude of the live load on the interior
column C.

Roof Live Loads

Roof live loads are usually very short in

duration:
Roofing/reroofing
Servicing roof top units
Placement of equipment, etc.

Standard Roof Live Load =20 psf

If tributary area is larger than 200 ft2 or slope
is greater than 18.4, then Lr may be reduced
to a minimum value of 12 psf. Calc as

follows:

Roof Live Load Reduction

Example: Roof Live Load Reduction