Gravity Loads on Structures Page 1 of 8
OUTLINE OF TOPICS
B. Gravity Loads on Structures
1. Code provisions – NSCP C101
2. Dead Load
3. Live Load
B. Gravity Loads on Structures
Vertical forces that act on a structure is referred to as gravity loads which includes
dead loads and live loads. Figure 2.1 shows the approximate approach used to
determine load distribution for structures under gravity loads.
Secondary Griders and
Floor Beams and Braces (if Columns Foundation
Beams any)
Fig. 2.1
Gravity loads acting on the floor slab are transmitted to the secondary beams,
which in turn is being transmitted to the girders. Girders transferred those loads
to the columns and then it transfers them to the foundation.
B.1. Code provisions – NSCP C101
Chapter 2 of NSCP provides the minimum design load requirements for the design
of buildings. It includes the list of minimum densities of building materials, and
minimum uniform and concentrated live loads to be considered in the analysis of
the structure. Also, it contains appropriate load combinations which have been
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 2 of 8
developed to be used together for strength design (LRFD) and allowable stress
design (ASD) are set forth.
B.2. Dead Load
According to NSCP, dead loads consist of the weight of all materials (selfweight)
and fixed equipment incorporated into the building or other structure. The actual
weights of materials and constructions shall be used in determining dead loads
for purpose of design. In the absence of definite information, it shall be permitted
to use the minimum values in Tables 204-1 and 204-2 of NSCP.
Sample Problem 2.1:
The second-floor layout of an office facility is shown in Fig. 2.2 and a detail of
the floor construction and of a typical interior beam is shown in Fig. 2.3.
Dimension x = 3m and y = 9m. The floor consists of composite steel-concrete
construction with a 75mm concrete fill over a 125mm-high formed steel deck.
The formed steel deck is of 20 gage material. A 38 mm terrazzo finish directly
on slab, and a mechanical duct allowance are provided. All beams are W360 ×
262 and ribs of the steel deck are perpendicular to the beams. All girders are
W530 x 219. Determine the reaction due to dead load of the following:
1. interior beam #25;
2. girder # 56; and
3. column #5.
Fig. 2.2 Plan layout
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 3 of 8
Steel Beam
Fig. 2.3. Composite steel deck
Solution:
1. Interior beam #25
Step 1: Calculate the total floor load, q, due to the materials, refer to Table 204-1.
Floor Load (in kPa)
Terrazzo (38mm) 0.91
Concrete Fill (200mm) 0.023 (200) = 4.60
Steel Deck (20 gage) 0.12
Mechanical Duct allowance 0.20
TOTAL q = 5.83
**Values in blue font were taken directly from Table 204-1 &2.
Step 2: Determine the aspect ratio of the slab.
𝐿 9
𝑅= = =3
𝑆 3
Since R is greater than two (2), it is one-way distribution. Tributary width of
the beam is half the distance on both sides.
Step 2: Determine the tributary area, 𝐴𝑇 , of beam #25.
𝐴𝑇 = 𝑥𝑦 = 3(9) = 27 𝑚2
Step 3: Compute the total dead load acting on beam #25.
Selfweight of beam #25, 𝑤25 : 262 kg/m = 2.57 kN/m
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 4 of 8
Total Dead Load:
𝑾25 = 𝑞𝐴𝑇 + 𝑤25 𝑦
= 5.83(27) + 2.57(9)
𝑾25 = 180.54 𝑘𝑁
Step 4: Reaction at end of beam #25. The assumption is that the beams are simply
supported.
𝑅25 = 180.54/2 = 𝟗𝟎. 𝟐𝟕𝒌𝑵
2. Girder #56
W360 x 262
W530 x 219
Fig. 2.4. Girder Detail
Step 1: Reaction at end of girder #56.
2𝑅25 2𝑅25
𝑅56 𝑅56
Selfweight of girder #56, 𝑤𝐺 : 219 kg/m = 2.15 kN/m
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0
2𝑅56 = 2𝑅25 + 2𝑅25 + 𝑤𝐺 (3𝑥)
2𝑅56 = 4(90.27) + 2.15(3)(3)
𝑹𝟓𝟔 = 𝟏𝟗𝟎. 𝟐𝟐𝒌𝑵
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 5 of 8
3. Column #5 Girder
Beam (W530 x 219)
(W360 x 262)
Fig. 2.5. Column Detail
Step 1: Reaction at column #5.
Total dead load acting on the column:
𝑅5 = 2𝑅25 + 2𝑅56
= 2(90.27) + 2(190.22)
𝑹𝟓 = 𝟓𝟔𝟎. 𝟗𝟖 𝒌𝑵
B.3. Live Load
Live loads are those loads produced by the use and occupancy of the building or
other structure and do not include dead load, construction load, or environmental
loads. (NSCP, 2015)
Floors shall be designed to support safely the uniformly distributed or
concentrated live loads prescribed in Table 205-1 of NSCP whichever produces the
greatest load effects.
B.3.1. Critical Distribution of Live Loads
Continuous beams shall be designed using the loading conditions which would
cause maximum shear and bending moments. Thus, you need to consider the
following loading condition for uniform floor loads:
a. Full live load on adjacent spans
b. Full live load on alternate spans
Fig. 2.6. Loading on alternate spans
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 6 of 8
B.3.2. Floor Live Load Reduction
The code permits to reduce live loads since it is unlikely that all floors of a building
will be subjected to the full design live load simultaneously. The unit live loads may
be reduced in accordance with this equation,
𝟏
𝑳 = 𝑳𝒐 [𝟎. 𝟐𝟓 + 𝟒. 𝟓𝟕 ( )] 𝐸𝑞. 2 − 1
√𝑨𝑰
where L – reduced design live load, 𝐿𝑜 – unreduced design live load,
𝐴𝐼 – influence area
Live load may be reduced only to members having an influence area of 40 sq.m.
or more. Also, the reduced live load shall not be less than 50% of the unit live load
𝐿𝑜 from one level only, nor less than 40% of the unit live load 𝐿𝑜 for other
members.
Influence area shall be determined as follows,
Member Influence Area, 𝑨𝑰
Column 4𝐴 𝑇
Beam 2𝐴 𝑇
Two-way slab Panel Area
Pre-cast T-beam 𝐿𝑏𝑓
* L = span bf = full flange width
Sample Problem 2.2:
Consider the office facility in the previous problem, determine the reduced
design live load for beam #25.
Solution:
Step 1: Determine the applicable design live load for office facility.
Based on Table 205-1, the uniform load for office category (with the
description of ‘other offices’) is 2.4 kPa.
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 7 of 8
Step 2: Calculate the influence area.
For beam, 𝐴𝐼 = 2𝐴 𝑇
= 2(3𝑥9)
= 54 > 40𝑚2 (design live load can be reduced)
Step 3: Solve for the reduced design live load.
1
𝐿 = 𝐿𝑜 [0.25 + 4.57 ( )]
√𝐴𝐼
1
= 2.4 [0.25 + 4.57 ( )]
√54
𝑳 = 𝟐. 𝟎𝟗 𝒌𝑷𝒂
EXERCISES
1. The second-floor layout of a library facility is shown in Fig. 2.6. The floor
consists of composite steel-concrete construction with a 100mm concrete
fill over a 125mm-high formed steel deck. The formed steel deck is of 18
gage material. A 25 mm terrazzo finish on stone-concrete fill, and a gypsum
board (for the ceiling) are provided. All beams are W250 x 89. All girders are
W410 x 100 and ribs of the steel deck are parallel to the girders. Consider
that the floor is for reading room. The dimensions are a = 2m, x = 4m, and
y = 7m. Determine the end reactions due to combine live loads and dead
loads of (a) beam #74; (b) girder #78; and (c) column # 4.
Fig. 2.6 Plan layout
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
Gravity Loads on Structures Page 8 of 8
FURTHER STUDY
Difference between one-way slab and two-way slab. https://dailycivil.com/one-way-slab-
vs-two-way-slab/
Tributary area for one-way & two-way slab. https://mocivilengineering.com/tributary-
arealoading/
REFERENCES
Alan Williams, Ph.D., S.E., F.I.C.E., C.Eng. Steel Structures Design for Lateral and Vertical
Forces, Second Edition (McGraw-Hill Education: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Athens,
London, Madrid, Mexico City, Milan, New Delhi, Singapore, Sydney, Toronto, 2016).
https://www.accessengineeringlibrary.com/content/book/9781259588013
Association of Structural Engineers of the Philippines, National Structural Code of the
Philippines (NSCP C101,Vol. I Builings and Other Vertical Structures), 7th Ed., 2016
Load paths, gravity loads and lateral loads. https://alleghenydesign.com/load-paths-
gravity-loads-lateral-loads/
CE 105 – Structural Engineering 3 (Design of Steel Structures) Engr. Ailene C. de Vela
