Calculating Dead and Live Loads for Building Design

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating dead and live loads for building design, specifically for civil engineering students. Participants emphasize the importance of consulting local building codes for accurate load values and suggest using a general estimate of 100 pounds per square foot (psf) per floor, which encompasses both dead and live loads. Additionally, it is recommended to refer to statics textbooks for foundational values and formulas relevant to load calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic civil engineering principles
  • Familiarity with local building codes
  • Knowledge of statics and structural analysis
  • Ability to interpret load calculations and estimates
NEXT STEPS
  • Research local building codes for specific dead and live load requirements
  • Study formulas for calculating dead and live loads in structural engineering
  • Learn about the significance of the 100 psf estimation in building design
  • Explore resources on statics and structural analysis for foundational knowledge
USEFUL FOR

Civil engineering students, structural engineers, and professionals involved in building design and load calculations will benefit from this discussion.

quickzx
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Hey guys I am a first year civil engineering student and we have a project where we have to design a building! everything is all good except we havnt been taught anything at all about calculating an estimated weight for our designed building and how do get the dead and live loads the the columns will be under if the building was complete!
my question is does anybody know any basic formulas for guestimating a weight for my structure and how to calculate basic dead and live loads??

cheers!
 
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quickzx said:
Hey guys I am a first year civil engineering student and we have a project where we have to design a building! everything is all good except we havnt been taught anything at all about calculating an estimated weight for our designed building and how do get the dead and live loads the the columns will be under if the building was complete!
my question is does anybody know any basic formulas for guestimating a weight for my structure and how to calculate basic dead and live loads??

cheers!

Local building codes will give you the dead and live loads. Other than that, your statics book should have some values listed.

CS
 
Guesstimate - 100 psf per floor, which includes dead + live loads.
 

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