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Find live and dead loads

Jonathan Ochshorn

© 2009 Jonathan Ochshorn.

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Directions: Enter values for element type (girder, beam, or column), tributary areas, and type of loads. Indicate whether live load reduction is to be considered. Definitions of parameters (dimensions of tributary areas) are shown in Fig. 1(a); typical loading diagrams for beams and girders are shown in Fig. 1(b) and Fig. 1(c). The concentrated loads, P, shown on the girder diagram correspond to the reactions of the beams framing into the girder. Both beams and girders can have an additional linear dead load added, typically due to self-weight (of the beam itself) and/or loads from curtain wall systems for spandrel beams or girders.

For columns, it is assumed that tributary areas are the same for all floors.

Press "update" button.

More detailed explanations and examples can be found in my text.

	girder beam column
			other value
		select uniformly distributed load (psf) typ. wood floor system with 2x10s, fin. floor and clg: 10.5 psf typ. steel floor system with conc. fill, ducts, clg, and tile floor: 47 psf other distributed loads (psf: specify) none
		select uniformly distributed load (pcf) reinforced concrete: 150 pcf granite: 165 pcf other distributed loads (pcf: specify) none
			other value
		assembly area, fixed seats: 60 psf assembly area, movable seats: 100 psf lobbies, corridors (first floor): 100 psf dining rooms and restaurants: 100 psf garages for passenger cars: 50 psf libraries, reading rooms: 60 psf libraries, stack areas, minimum: 150 psf manufacturing, light: 125 psf manufacturing, heavy: 250 psf office buildings (or college buildings): 50 psf dwellings and hotels: 40 psf residential bedrooms: 30 psf schools, classrooms: 40 psf stadium and arena bleachers: 100 psf stairs and exitways: 100 psf stores, retail (first floor): 100 psf stores, retail (upper floors): 75 psf stores, wholesale (all floors): 125 psf other live load (psf: specify) none
			yes no
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Checks:
errors:
trib area > 0
no. floors >=0
other values >= 0
thickness > 0
linear loads >= 0

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Disclaimer: This calculator is not intended to be used for the design of actual structures, but only for schematic (preliminary) understanding of structural design principles. For the design of an actual structure, a competent professional should be consulted.

First posted July 12, 2009 | Last updated July 12, 2009