Codes & standards
Typical floor live load values by occupancy
Floor live load depends on use, and codes set minimum values by occupancy. Here is a reference table for offices, homes, retail, storage and more, in kPa and psf.
Sam Rivera··4 min
Tag
Live Load
7 posts tagged “Live Load”.
Codes & standards
Roof live load vs snow load
A roof carries both a minimum roof live load and a snow load, and the larger governs. Here is the difference, how each is found, and which one to design for.
Sam Rivera··4 min
Fundamentals
Tributary area vs influence area
Tributary area is the floor that loads a member; influence area is the larger area whose load affects it. Here is the difference, the K_LL factor, and why it drives live load reduction.
Sam Rivera··4 min
Fundamentals
Dead load and live load calculator (free)
Need to turn floor build-ups and occupancy into dead and live loads fast? StructLoads is a free tool that computes them and carries them through a full load takedown.
Elena Marchetti··4 min
Fundamentals
Dead load vs live load, explained
Dead load is the permanent weight of the structure; live load is the movable weight it carries. Here is the difference, typical values, and how each is factored.
Elena Marchetti··4 min
Codes & standards
ASCE 7 live load reduction, explained simply
A column carrying ten floors is not realistically loaded to the full design live load on every one at once. ASCE 7 lets you take credit for that. Here is the formula, the K_LL factors, and a worked reduction.
Sam Rivera··6 min
Codes & standards
Partition load allowance explained
Movable partitions are covered by a load allowance rather than counted one by one. Here is what the allowance is, typical values, and when a partition is counted as dead load instead.
Sam Rivera··4 min