Defining loads that will be applied to a structure

The most important  task of a structural design engineer is to how to determine the loads that can be applied in the structure during its life span. and the possible combination that will used for the analysis, depending of what code your are using. Load of a structure may be classified as Dead Load and Live Load,

Dead Load are loads of constant magnitude that remains in position. The example for this are the self weight of the structural member and other permanent attachment.

Live Loads are the load that the magnitude may change and its position. This loads includes the wind, rain, soil pressure, water pressure and the earthquake load. and the value of live loads will depend of the occupancy of the building

Table a. Uniform and Concentrated Load based on NSCP 2001

Occupancy			Uniform Load, Pa	Conc. Load, Pa
Category		Description
1	Armories		7200	0
2	Assembly areas and auditorium and balconies therewith	Fixed seating areas	2400	0
		Movable setting and other areas	4800	0
		Stage areas and enclosed platforms	6000	0
3	Cornics, marquees & residential balconies		3000	0
4	Exit Facilitites		4800
5	Garages	General Storage and/ or repair	4800
		Private pleasure car storage	2400
6	Hospitals	Wards and rooms	2000	4500
7	Libraries	Reading rooms	3000	4500
		Stock rooms	6000	6700
8	Manufacturing	Light	3600	8900
		Heavy	6000	13400
9	Offices		2400	8900
10	Printing Plants	Press rooms	7200	11200
		Composting and linotype rooms	4800	8900
11	Residential		2000	0
12	Rest Rooms	Not less than the load for the occupancy with the which they are associated but need not to exceed 2400 Pa	2000
	Reviewing stands, grandstands and bleachers		4800	0
14	Roof deck	Same as area served for the type of occupancy	2000
	Schools	Classrooms	12000	4500
16	Sidewalks and driveways	Public access	6000
17	Storage	Light	12000
18	Stores	Heavy	3600	8900
		Retail	4800	13400
19	Low cost housing unit	wholesale	1500

Engineering Concept