Loads - Non-IBC

The loading explanation on this page is for building codes that are NOT IBC based.  For IBC Load explanations, see the IBC Loads Help topic.

 

Live Load:

Specify if the project is "Tributary Area Reduction Allowed" or "No Reduction" (no live load reduction is allowed).  Live load is defined as "Loads that are produced (1) during maintenance by workers, equipment, and materials and (2) during the life of the structure by movable objects but does not include wind, snow, seismic or dead loads."

 

Snow Load:

Specify the snow load for this building. Then choose "Roof Design" or "Ground Snow Load". If you specify "Ground Snow Load", you must choose the correct "Exposure Factor".  Snow load is defined as "The vertical load induced by the weight of snow, assumed to act on the horizontal projection on the roof of the structure".

 

Wind Load: Specify the correct wind load. Wind load is defined as "The load caused by the wind from any horizontal direction".

 

Wind Exposure:

Specify the correct exposure.

 

An exposure shall be assigned at each site for which a building or structure is to be designed. Exposure "D" represents the most severe exposure in areas with basic wind speeds of 80 miles per hour or greater and has terrain which is flat and unobstructed facing large bodies of water over one mile or more. Exposure "D" extends inland from the shoreline 1/4 mile or ten times the building height whichever is greater. Exposure "C" has terrain, which is flat and generally open, extending one-half mile or more from the site in any direction. Exposure "B" has terrain which has building, forest or surface irregularities 20 feet or more in height covering at least 20 percent of the area extending one mile or more from the site.

 

Hurricane Coastline:

Indicate if the building is located within 100 miles of a Hurricane Coastline.

 

Building Shell:

Specify the condition of the building shell. NOTE: This does not remove any wall sheets. It only adjusts the design for wind uplift conditions. "Enclosed" means the building is completely enclosed in some material. That material can be sheets, masonry, or even another enclosed building. "Partially Enclosed" can mean that the building is completely open to a given elevation, or that part of the building is open and part is enclosed. "Open" means that the building is completely open to remain open.

 

Collateral Load:

Collateral load includes "auxiliary loads". If you have both collateral and auxiliary loads in one building, simply add the two together and enter under collateral load.  Collateral loads are defined as "The weight of permanent materials other than the building system, such as sprinklers, mechanical systems, electrical systems, partitions, and ceilings". Auxiliary loads are defined as "Dynamic live loads such as those induced by...material handling systems...machinery, elevators".

 

Seismic Zone:

Specify the correct Seismic Zone.

 

Occupancy:

Specify the correct occupancy rating.  The occupancy rating will be used to determine the correct importance factors for each building. Those importance factors will be shown on your contract.