1

Introduction
and
Building Loads
CE 636 - Design of Multi-Story Structures
T. B. Quimby
UAA School of Engineering
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Course Objective
The objective of the course is to give entry level
structural engineers an understanding of the
principles associated with the structural design of
building systems.
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Expected Outcomes
At the conclusion of this course, the students will have:
an understanding of the engineering design process as it relates to building
structural design, including an appreciation for:
the iterative nature of the design process
the concept that there are more than one way to solve most engineering problems
an understanding of structural loads and their determination.
a basic understanding of the behavior and use of various structural systems
a basic understanding of what is required in a set of construction drawings
a basic understanding of what is required in a set of construction specifications
a recognition of the need for continual learning as a professional
an understanding of the need for professional registration
an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility
the basic ability to:
identify, formulate, and solve building structural design problems
produce a set of construction drawings.
produce a set of construction specifications

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Course Content
The emphasis of the course will be slightly different than
the text. We will be considering all multi-story structures,
not just Tall buildings.
Load computations
Preliminary calculation methods
Computer modeling
Different GFRS and LFRS
Calculations and Contract Documents
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Tall Buildings
Author: A tall building .... is one that, because of its
height, is affected by lateral forces due to wind or
earthquake actions to an extent that they play an important
role in the structural design.
History
Defense
Ecclesiastical
Commercial (from 1880 to current)
Residential (from 1880 to current)
Maximize use of high cost land
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Factors Affecting Development
Materials
Timber & Masonry limit to ~ 5 stories
Wrought Iron & Steel in mid 1880s
Structural Concrete after 1900
The Elevator
Made upper stories attractive to rent
Made tall buildings financially viable
Construction Technology
Increase Speed
More efficient equipment
Improved methods
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Office vs Residential
Office/Commercial buildings
Large entrances and open lobbies
Reconfigurable space (large column free open
areas)
Residential buildings
Partitions are frequent and the same from story
to story
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The Design Team
Consists of:
Owner
Architect
Structural Engineer
Services Engineer (Mechanical & Electrical)
Team should collaborate EARLY to agree on a form of
structure to satisfying the conflicting requirements.
Structural system is subservient to the architectural
requirements.
Compromise is inevitable.
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The Design Process
Design is an evolutionary (iterative) process.
Do preliminary sizing of members for gravity loads using
approximate analysis.
Check lateral strength and deflections, adjust members
sizes and configuration as necessary.
Make alterations to original layout as owner and architect
refine the design. May require radical rearrangement and
complete review of structure.
Make a rigorous final analysis using a refined analytical
model and verify deflections and member strengths.
Include the effects of movements due to creep, shrinkage,
temperature differentials, and foundation settlement.
Complete Construction Documents
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Design Criteria
Architectural
Internal layout to meet functional requirements
Aesthetic qualities
Structural
Strength (Elastic vs. Plastic)
Serviceability (deflections, vibrations, etc....)
Services
Power
Ventilation
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Limit State Design
A probabilistic approach
Structural properties
Loading conditions
When a LIMIT STATE is reached, the structures said to
have failed.
Strength Limit States
Exceedance of these limit states endanger lives and/or cause
serious financial loss.
Probability of material failure and instability must be low.
Serviceability Limit States
Fitness of the building for normal use
Probability of failure may be higher since failure is not
catastrophic.
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Loading
Buildings are designed to carry all gravity loads and lateral
loads to be seen during construction and service.
Must consider sequential loading (particularly during
construction) in buildings where the sequence is important.
Types of Loading:
Dead
Occupancy (Live)
Impact
Snow
Wind
Seismic
1997 UBC Chapter 16
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Strength & Stability
the building structure should have adequate strength to
resist, and to remain stable under, the worst probable load
actions that may occur during the lifetime of the building,
including the period of construction.
Consider probable load combinations (1997 UBC 1612)
Second order affects
Progressive collapse
Differential movement (shrinkage, creep, settlement,
temperature)
Overturning
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Stiffness and Drift Limitations
Deflections under gravity loads must be with in tolerable
limits for the occupancy.
Deflections under lateral load must be small enough to
satisfy
Second order effects (P-delta)
Avoid distress to the structure (cracking, redistribution
of loads to partitions, etc....)
Human comfort (acceleration, period, amplitude, visual
and acoustical cues, past experience)
Serviceability
Lateral drift requirements (1997 UBC 1630.10)
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Tributary Areas
Useful for determining member forces due
to UNIFORMLY APPLIED loads (dead,
live, pressure, etc....) on SIMPLY
SUPPORTED members.
Use structural analysis theory to find the
path that loads take as they find their
way down to the foundation through the
structural members.
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Example #1
Applied load
is uniformly
distributed.
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Tributary widths of beams
supporting joists coming in at
odd angles
( )
| |
w
w
s
=
= =

(
Reaction of Joist
Trib. width of joist along beam
Lj 2 p
s cos
Lj
2
p
u
u cos
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Beam AB
( )
( )
( )
Lj =
L1
L2
is 0 at end B.
w =
L1
2 L2
p
w =
L1
2 L2
L2 p =
L1
2
p
max
x
x
x
1
1
1
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Beam BC
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
( )
Lj =
L1
L2
is 0 at end B.
w =
L1
2 L2
cos p
w =
L1
2 L2
L2
cos
cos p =
L1
2
cos p
2
max
2
cosu
u
u
u u
x
x
x
2
2
2
|
\

|
.
|
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Column Tributary Area
For a triangular load, the reaction
at B is 1/3 of the total load on the
beam. This means that the
column supports 1/3 of the area.
For a triangular load, this means
that the column at B support
L/sqrt(3) of the length of the
beam.
TotalLoad wL
wL x
wx
L
x
L
=
|
\

|
.
|
=
|
\

|
.
|
=
1
2
1
3
1
2
1
2
3
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Example #2
Identify the
Tributary Areas
for:
For each beam
For each column
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Example #2 Beam Areas
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Example #2 Column Areas
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Example #3: Multi-Story
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Outline Tributary Areas for column at C2
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Areas Trib. to column at C2
Lectur e #1, Multi- Story Buil di ng
Supported Ar eas Level
ft^2 239 Roof 4
ft^2 478 Roof, 4th fl oor 3
ft^2 717 Roof, 3r d & 4th flr 2
ft^2 956 Roof, 2nd, 3r d, 4th 1
These columns probably
support exterior wall sections as
well. Depends on details.
Gravity loads tend to
accumulate linearly as you go
down the building.
Live loads may be reduced.
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Example #4
Have fun with this
one!
Find area supported
by beams on radial
grids.
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Dead Load Calculations
Dead loads are the weights of all items
permanently attached to the structure.
Roof, Floor, and Wall dead loads are
typically expressed in terms of unit loads
(the weight per unit of surface area).
Permanently attached equipment and
machinery are generally treated as point
loads or uniform loads over a limited area.
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Unit Load Calculations
All unit load calculations should be accompanied by a
sketch or reference a drawing showing a typical
calculation.
Each item is expressed in terms of its weight per unit
surface area.
Must compensate for slopes over 4:12.
Final result should be not include decimals! (your overall
estimate is not any more accurate than three significant
figures (if that!)
Should add an appropriate Misc.. amount for minor
items not specifically accounted for in itemized
calculation.
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DL Calculation #1
Floor Dead Load:
psf 1.5 1/4" Li nol eum
psf 1.5 1/2" Under layment
psf 1.8 5/8" Plywood
psf 3.3 2x12 @ 16" O.C.
psf 2.8 5/8" GWB
psf 1.8 Metal suspended cei ling
psf 10 Partiti ons
psf 2.3 Mi sc
psf 25 Total
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DL Calculation #2
Roof Dead Load
Adjusted Slope fact Flat Slope/12
psf 2.8 1.12 2.5 6 Asphalt Shingles
psf 2.0 1.12 1.8 6 5/8" Plywood
psf 3.7 1.12 3.3 6 2x12 @ 16" O.C.
psf 4.0 1.12 3.6 6 Insulation
psf 3.1 1.12 2.8 6 5/8" GWB
psf 1.8 1.00 1.8 0 Suspended Ceil ing
psf 1.5 Mi sc
psf 19.0 Total
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Live Loads
Live loads are any loads that are not permanently attached
to the structure.
Live loads may be expressed in term of area loads or point
loads.
Live loads are placed for maximum effect.
Tabulated code values result from experience and typical
field surveys.
See 1997 UBC 1606 & 1607
Live loads may be reduce for design of members that have
large tributary areas. 1994 UBC 1607.5
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UBC Floor Live Load Reduction
Use when:
Member supports more than 150 ft
2
Live load not greater than 100 psf
Member does not support a place of public assembly
Use the lessor of:
R = 0.08(A-150)
R = 23.1(1+DL/FLL)
R = 40% for members receiving load from one level
only, or 60% for members receiving load from more
than one level.
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Alternate Floor Live Load
Reduction
As an alternative, the following equation may be used for
member with an influence area greater than 400 ft
2
.
(New with the 1994 UBC)
L = L
0
(.25+15/sqrt(A
I
))
Maximum reduction is 50% for members supporting one
level and 60% for members supporting multiple levels.
A
I
is the influence area. For a column A
I
is four times the
trib. area. For a beam, A
I
is two times the trib. area. For a
2-way slab, A
I
equals the panel area. For a precast T-
beam, A
I
is the span times the full flange width.
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UBC Roof Live Loads
1997 UBC 1607.4 & Table 16-C
If unbalanced loading causes maximum effects, it must be
considered.
Snow loads must be considered where they exceed the
values for the roof live loads. (See 1997 UBC Appendix to
chapter 16, Div. I - Snow Load Design)
When analyzing for snow loads, must consider unbalanced
loading and drifting.
Snow Loads may be reduced with increasing roof slope.
R
S
= S/40 - .5
R
S
= snow load reduction (psf) per degree slope over 20
S = total snow load (psf)