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Access and use of this website and the material on it are subject to the Terms and Conditions set forth at Floor loads in buildings, with particular reference to offices
NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL OF CANADA D I V I S I O N OF BUILDING FlESEARCH
F'LOOR LOADS I N BUILDINGS
With Partioular Reference t o Offices
by D,E, A l l e n
Report No,
4 9
of the
Divieion
ofBuilding
ResearchO t t a w a Auguat
1958
PREFACE
T h i s r e p o r t summarizes t h e r e s u l t s of s t u d i e s c a r r i e d o u t i n t h e B u i l d i n g S t r u c t u r e s S e c t i o n of t h e D i v i s i o n of Bulding Hesearch a r i s i n g from a r e q u e s t which came t o t h e
D i v i s i o n from t h e Advisory F t r u c t u r a l Group which now o p e r a t e s under t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on t h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g Code. T h i s n a t i o n a l a d v i s o r y group, which b r i n g s t o g e t h e r almost two dozen Canadians from v a r i e d f i e l d s of work connected w i t h s t r u c t u r a l e n g i n e e r i n g work and i t s a p p l i c a t i o n s , has been r e v i e w i n g t h e N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g Code w i t h a view t o i t s s t e a d y improvement. From t h e s e s t u d i e s have a r i s e n r e q u e s t s such a s t h a t t o which t h i s r e p o r t i s a p a r t i a l answer.
The r e p o r t has gone somewhat f u r t h e r t h a n was r e q u e s t e d by t h e Advisory S t r u c t u r a l Group s i n c e t h e s t u d y of l o a d s i n g e n e r a l i s a c o n t i n u i n g p r o j e c t of t h e B u i l d i n g S t r u c t u r e s S e c t i o n . I n i t s work on b u i l d i n g s a s a whole t h e D i v i s i o n h a s come t o r e a l i z e t h e g r e a t importance of a n a c c u r a t e e v a l u a t i o n of t h e l o a d s t o be imposed upon s t r u c t u r e s , a s t u d y which i n g e n e r a l r e c e i v e s t o o l i t t l e a t t e n t i o n i n comparison w i t h t h e g r e a t amount of r e s e a r c h done on s t r u c - t u r a l d e s i g n .
The r e p o r t i s a p r o g r e s s s t a t e m e n t only. It i s hoped t o c o n t i n u e w i t h some of t h e o b s e r v a t i o n s on a c t u a l f l o o r l o a d s which i t r e c o r d s . It has been p r e p a r e d by U.E. A l l e n , a g r a d u a t e o f Queens' U n i v e r s i t y and a membar of t h e B u i l d i n g S t r u c t u r e s Sect i o n .
Ottawa,
~ u g u s t
1958.
RobertF. Legget,
FLOOR LOADS I N BUILDINGS
With P a r t i c u l a r Reference t o O f f i c e s
DOE. Allen
The Advisory S t r u c t u r a l Group of t h e A s s o c i a t e Committee on t h e National Building Code a t i t s 6 t h meeting r e c e n t l y
r e q u e s t e d a review of l o a d s imposed by modern computing m c h i n e r y i n connection with t h e l o a d s p e c i f i e d f o r o f f i c e f l o o r s . An o f f i c e f l o o r , designed according t o t h e N a t i o n a l Building Code of Canada ( N B C ) must be a b l e Z t o support a
uniformly d i s t r i b u t e d l i v e load of 50 ~ / f t o r a c o n c e n t r a t e d load of 2000 l b d i s t r i b u t e d over an a r e a of 25 by 25 f t .
Along with t h i s review a l i m i t e d l i t e r a t u r e s e a r c h was c a r r i e d out on t h e q u e s t i o n of o f f i c e l o a d s i n p a r t i c u l a r and occupancy l o a d s i n g e n e r a l .
T h i s r e p o r t summarizes t h e f i n d i n g s of t h e s e a r c h and t h e e n q u i r i e s i n t o computing machinery u s i n g t h e occurrence of such machinery a t t h e Dominion Bureau of S t a t i s t i c s , i n Ottawa a s an example. Also included a r e some s u g g e s t i o n s f o r changes i n t h e NBC c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of occupancy l o a d s according t o
expected use. Occupancy l o a d s i n g e n e r a l , o f f i c e l o a d s and o b s e r v a t i o n s made, comparison of d e s i g n o f f i c e l o a d s i n
B r i t a i n , United S t a t e s and Canada and f i n a l l y , t h e l o a d s due o f f i c e machinery and s a f e s a r e a l s o b r i e f l y d i s c u s s e d .
T h i s r e p o r t r e f l e c t s t o some e x t e n t t h e r e c e n t change of a t t i t u d e towards s t r u c t u r a l s a f e t y o r s t r u c t u r a l s u f f i c i e n c y . T h i s change emphasizes t h e need f o r a more r e a l i s t i c t r e a t m e n t of what l o a d s a c t u a l l y o c c u r ; t h i s means c o l l e c t i n g r e c o r d s of a c t u a l l o a d s t a k i n g s a m ~ l e s and t r e a t i n g them t o some e x t e n t i n terms of
.
It i s n o t intended t o d i s c u s s which extreme should be chosen o r what v a l u e of p r o b a b i l i t y of overload should b e used b u t r a t h e r what v a l u e s a c t u a l l y do occur and what a r e t h e s o u r c e s of l o a d , such a s persons,p r o p e r t y and storage.
Live Loads Due t o Occupancy: A Suggested R e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n Live l o a d s due t o occupancy a r e g i v e n i n t h e N a t i o n a l Building Code (1953) (1) i n t h e form of a t a b l e which l i s t s a l p h a b e t i c a l l y 27 of t h e most common rooms o r f l o o r a r e a s
( s u c h a s k i t c h e n s , o f f i c e s , e t c ) w i t h t h e corresponding minirmun allowable uniformly d i s t r i b u t e d l i v e l o a d (Table I ) .
TABLE I
( T a b l e 3.2 of t h e N a t i o n a l Building Code of Canada ( 1 9 5 3 ) ) ?!inimum Allowable Uniformly D i s t r i b u t e d Live Loads
f o r Various Types of Use f o r F l o o r Areas o r Rooms
Column 1 Column 2
Minimum Allowable Uniformly D i s t r i b u t e d Type of Use of F l o o r Area o r Room Live Load, i n Pounds
Per Square Foot Assembly rooms w i t h f i x e d s e a t s such a s
t h e a t r e a u d i t o r i a o r c o n c e r t h a l l s 60 Other assembly rooms where non-fixed
s e a t s may be used i n c l u d i n g c l a s s - rooms designed o r intended f o r
assembly purposes 100
Concourses, w a i t i n g rooms i n assembly
b u i l d i n g s , r o t u n d a s , e n t r a n c e h a l l s 100
S t a d i a and g r a n d s t a n d s 100
Rowling a l l e y s , p o o l and b i l l i a r d rooms
and s i m i l a r a r e a s
75
Classrooms 60
V o c a t i o n a l shops
80
Operating and c l i n i c a l rooms i n h o s p i t a l s
D e t e n t i o n q u a r t e r s
75
Reading o r w r i t i n g rooms o r lounges* 60
75
Dining rooms, p u b l i c-
f o r u s e by more t h a n 100 p e r s o n s 100-
f o r u s e by fewer t h a n 100 persons 60Kitchens-:? 100
Rooms used f o r nleeping4t Dwelling u n i t s , a l l rooms
R e t a i l s a l e s f l o o r s 100
Kanufacturing o r p r o c e s s rooms
O f f i c e s 125
T o i l e t and l o c k e r rooms 50
Cleaning and r e p a i r of goods 100 50
Shops p r o v i d i n g s e r v i c e s t o t h e p e r s o n such a s h a i r d r e s s i n g p a r l o u r s 100 E x i t s and c o r r i d o r s except t h o s e s e r v i n g 1- and 2-family d w e l l i n g s 100 Storage
-
passenger c a r s-
t r u c k s and buses, unloaded 75-
t r u c k s and buses, loaded 150-
o t h e r s t o r a g e 250Sidewalks and driveways over area- 125
ways and basements 250
These "occupancies" r e p r e s e n t " t h e u s e o r i n t e n d e d u s e o f a b u i l d i n g o r s t r u c t u r e o r p a r t t h e r e o f f o r t h e s h e l t e r o r
s u p p o r t of p e r s o n s , animals o r p r o p e r t y " (NBC, 3 . 3 . 3 ( a ) ) . ~ o r ' b c c u p a n c i e s " n o t i n c l u d e d i n t h e t a b l e t h e Code r e q u i r e s
t h a t l o a d s b e assumed f o r "occupancies" which c r e a t e o r accommodate s i m i l a r l o a d i n g s . The Code a l s o s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e " o c c u p a n c i e s t ' l i s t e d i n t h e American S t a n d a r d s A s s o c i a t i o n
A S A AS8.1
-
1955 ( 2 ) be used a s a f u r t h e r guide. T h i s s t a n d a r d s p e c i f i e s f i f t y "occupanciestt similar t o t h o s e i n t h e NBC and o f f e r s i n i t s appendix55
more s p e c i a l i z e dt I o c c u p a n c i e s " a s a g u i d e t o b u i l d i n g o f f i c i a l s .
I n s p i t e of a l l t h i s i n f o r m a t i o n i t i s i m p o s s i b l e t o c o v e r a l l c a s e s , It i s assumed t h a t o c c u p a n c i e s which a r e n o t covered c a n be t r e a t e d by comparing them w i t h s i m i l a r l y
loaded o c c u p a n c i e s i n t h e t a b l e s . Thus, a number o f occupan- c i e s of d i f f e r e n t f u n c t i o n a l u s e , b u t o f t e n of t h e same
p r o b a b l e l o a d occupancy a r e t h e b a s i s f o r c a t e g o r i z i n g
minimum a l l o w a b l e l o a d s . Furthermore, some of t h e i n d i v i d u a l t e r m s such a s " o f f i c e s " a r e t o o broad i n t h e m s e l v e s t o b e s a t i s f a c t o r i l y covered b y a s i n g l e d e s i g n l o a d . " O f f i c e s t ' may c o n t a i n rows of heavy f i l i n g c a b i n e t s , o r a s i s u s u a l l y
t h e c a s e , l i g h t f u r n i t u r e , some f i l e s and a s m a l l number o f p e r s o n s . T h i s s u g g e s t s t h e need f o r f u r t h e r c l a s s i f i c a t i o n w i t h i n some of t h e s e c l a s s e s depending on how w e l l t h e u s e of each f l o o r can be p r e d i c t e d and what r i s k t h e owner and t h e p u b l i c w i s h t o t a k e . The c o n c l u s i o n i s t h a t t h e r e i s no w e l l - d e f i n e d c a t e g o r y o f e x p e c t e d occupancy l o a d s . The
f o l l o w i n g i s suggested a s a n a l t e r n a t i v e approach.
Design f l o o r l o a d s c o n s i s t of l o a d s due t o occupancy c n t h e one hand and dead l o a d s on t h e o t h e r . These a r e d e f i n e d r e s p e c t i v e l y i n t h e NBC a s " t h e g r e a t e s t l o a d t h a t i s l i a b l e t o be imposed by t h e i n t e n d e d occupancytt (NBC
3.3.3
( a ) ) and " t h e a c t u a l w e i g h t s of t h e m a t e r i a l s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n i n c o r - p o r a t e d i n t h e s t r u c t u r e and t h e weight o f a l l permanentb u i l d i n g s e r v i c e equipment" ( N B C 4.1.2.5). Live l o a d s due t o occupancy w i l l h e n c e f o r t h b e c a l l e d occupancy l o a d s .
A l l occupancy l o a d s a r e e i t h e r s t a t i c o r dynamic.
A l l s t a t i c occupancy l o a d s a r e d e r i v e d from two main s o u r c e s ; p e r s o n s and animals on t h e one hand and p r o p e r t y and s t o r a g e on t h e o t h e r . I n t h i s r e p o r t p r o p e r t y r e p r e s e n t s t h o s e t h i n g s whose u s e o r purpose i s n o t p r i m w i l y s t o r a g e . The f o l l o w i n g a r e suggested s o u r c e s of occupancy l o a d s .
A. S t a t i c Load
1. Assembly of persons and animals.
2. Assembly and s t o r a g e of p r o p e r t y . These may b e f i x e d o r movable.
B, Dynamic Load
1. Forces produced during impact. 2. Forces produced during v i b r a t i o n s .
Some o r a l l of t h e s e components i n f l u e n c e t h e maximum s t r u c t u r a l a c t i o n i n a f l o o r during i t s l i f e t i m e . For a
b u i l d i n g code, d e f i n i t e v a l u e s must be given and t h i s r e q u i r e s a c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of intended occupancy. Since it i s of prime importance t h e magnitude of t h i s load should be t h e b a s i s of c l a s s i f i c a t i o n and not t h e intended apecif i c "use" i n alpha- b e t i c a l order. The "use" a s i n d i c a t e d by t h e term " o f f i c e " by i t s e l f r e p r e s e n t s much more t h a n t h e probable load t o be
expected, It a l s o r e p r e s e n t s t h e f u n c t i o n s o r a c t i v i t i e s t o be c a r r i e d out. Thus t h e p r e s e n t c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i s compli- cated by b r i n g i n g i n more t h a n i s needed. I f t h e minimum
allowable load i s i n t h e form of a b a s i c uniformly d i s t r i b u t e d load, each of t h e s e loads i n o r d e r of magnitude should r e p r e - s e n t a c l a s s . F i r s t each of t h e sources of occupancy load should be discussed.
Where t h e g r e a t e s t probable load8 a r e due only t o assembly of persons t h e e s t i m a t i o n of t h e load i s s i m p l i f i e d by t h e homogeneous c h a r a c t e r of t h e loading agent and t h e l i m i t t o which people can be assembled and r e s t r i c t e d from over-assembly. The loading i s homogeneous i n t h a t t h e average u n i t weight of d i f f e r e n t groups of men i s n e a r l y t h e same.
Some p l a c e s a r e intended f o r open assembly such a s dance
f l o o r s , a u d i t o r i a and classrooms without f i x e d s e a t s , e n t r a n c e h a l l s , grandstands, gymnasia, and p u b l i c c o r r i d o r s . I n most p l a c e s , dynamic loading i s not l i k e l y t o be s i g n i f i c a n t when people a r e packed t o g e t h e r a t t h e maximum probable d e n s i t y whereas i n t h e case of d r i l l h a l l s and p e d e s t r i a n bridges, t h e e f f e c t s of dynamic loading a r e c o n s i d e r a b l e even though t h e r e i s l e s s crowding. Crowding up t o 180 lb/sq f t
( 5 )
has been proved p o s s i b l e but s i n c e such crowding (which c o r r e s - ponds t o a t i g h t l y packed e l e v a t o r ) i s extremely u n l i k e l y f o r most assembly occupancies, t h e load s p e c i f i e d i s l e s s , u s u a l l y 100 lb/sq f t ( a 150-lb man every1.5
sq f t ) .On t h e o t h e r hand assemby and s t o r a g e of property i s
not homogeneous i n c h a r a c t e r s i n c e t h e r e a r e d i f f e r e n t magni- tudea of load w i t h each t y p e of p r o p e r t y and a c o n s i d e r a t i o n of maximum probable load must account f o r t h e t y p e s of
p r o p e r t y l i a b l e t o occur and t h e probable arrangements of t h e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of p r o p e r t y i n each case, The heavy a r t i c l e s w i l l predominate i n probable maximum loadings, On f l o o r s p r i m a r i l y intended f o r s t o r a g e an e s t i m a t i o n of probable load w i l l be s i m p l i f i e d because arrangement i s not a f a c t o r . Here t h e load e s t i m a t i o n should be based on t h e h e a v i e s t t y p e of s t o r a g e and t h e volume of s t o r a g e not l i k e l y t o be exceeded.
For s t o r a g e load, broad c l a s s e s of magnitude such a s 130,
150
and 200 lb/sq f t minimum allowable seem a more p r a c t i c a l b a s i s t h a n an a l p h a b e t i c a l l i s t of d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of s t o r a g e ,
mainly because t h e expected u s e cannot be e x a c t l y defined, The choice of c l a s s could be made by r e f e r e n c e t o m a t e r i a l weights. Where t h e r e i s a combination of two t y p e s of s t o r a g e
such a s an o f f i c e containing machines a s t h e heavy a r t i c l e and f u r n i t u r e a s t h e l i g h t a r t i c l e , t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of e x t e n s i v e l o a d i n g of t h e heavier a r t i c l e i s prevented by t h e r e l i a b l e presence of t h e l i g h t a r t i c l e s . Probable arrangements must be considered i n t h e s e c a s e s ( e , g , whether t h e l i g h t a r t i c l e s
a r e f i x e d o r n o t ) ,
Most occupancies such a s domestic rooms, o f f i c e s , and assembly rooms w i t h f i x e d s e a t s a r e a combination of assembly of persons and assembly of p r o p e r t y o r s t o r a g e ( f i x e d o r
movable), The magnitude of probable load depends on t h e weights of t h e d i f f e r e n t t y p e s of p r o p e r t y and t h e probable arrangements of t h e p r o p e r t y and assembly of persona a c t i n g t o g e t h e r . This argument i s considered i n more d e t a i l f o r o f f i c e s i n t h e next s e c t i o n of t h e r e p o r t . Johnson ( 6 ) made a study of two loading components
-
persons and f u r n i t u r e-
i n a number of dwelling f l a t s . His measured sample of f l o o r l o a d s i s made up o f : 1) f u r n i t u r e p r e s e n t a t t h e t h e of observation, and 2 ) t h e g r e a t e s t number of persons havingv i s i t e d a t one time during t h e owner's occupancy. H i s r e s u l t s showed t h a t t h e mean load per u n i t a r e a due t o people was
n e a r l y independent of f l o o r a r e a and t h a t t h e l o a d due t o f u r n i t u r e was dependent on f l o o r area.
Dynamic loadings i n b u i l d i n g codes have been t a k e n c a r e of by use of "equivalent" s t a t i c l o a d s and l i m i t i n g
d e f l e c t i o n s . Limiting d e f l e c t i o n s safeguard a g a i n s t e x c e s s i v e s p r i n g i n e s s of f l o o r s under dynamic l o a d i n g (e,g. persona
walking, v i b r a t i n g machinery). The f o r c e s produced by dynamic l o a d s , however, a r e more d i f f i c u l t t o determine t h a n t h o s e f o r simple s t a t i c loads s i n c e t h e y depend e s s e n t i a l l y on t h e weight and r i g i d i t y of t h e member upon which they. a c t . It i s a l s o w e l l known t h a t t h e s t r e s s c a p a c i t y of almost a l l
engineering m a t e r i a l s i n c r e a s e s with an i n c r e a s e i n t h e r a t e of f o r c e a p p l i c a t i o n and might t h e r e f o r e warrant a compli- mentary i n c r e a s e i n t h e allowable s t r e s s . T h i s p r o p e r t y i s a l s o a f f e c t e d , however, by t h e f a t i g u e caused by high r e v e r s a l s of s t r e s s and would have t o be considered with caution.
Since the p r e s e n t c l a s s i f i c a t i o n according t o
II occupancies1' i s not e a s i l y a p p l i e d and administered, Table I1
which i s a c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of s t a t i c occupancy l o a d s i s suggested. It i s s i m i l a r t o t h e B r i t i s h Standard Code of P r a c t i c e
( 3 ) .
TABLE I1
OCCUPANCY LOADS
Class
1 0
Types o f Occupancy Expected Examples o f Occupancy
(1) No assembly o f p e r s o n s , I n a c c e s s i b l e a t t i c s l i t t l e s t o r a g e
( 2 ) P l a c e s o f v e r y l i m i t e d Crawl s p a c e s a c c e s s and s t o r a g e
( 1 ) Very l i g h t p r o p e r t y , l i t t l e D w e l l i n g s ; second and t h i r d assembly o f p e r s o n s s t o r i e s
( 1 ) Very l i g h t p r o p e r t y , some D w e l l i n g s ; f i r s t f l o o r rooms u s e d assembly o f p e r s o n s f o r s l e e p i n g , s i t t i n g and d r e s s i n g ( 1) L i g h t p r o p e r t y , some O f f i c e s not u s e d p r i m a r i l y f o r
s t o r a g e , some assembly s t o r a g e o f p r o p e r t y . T o i l e t and o f p e r s o n s l o c k e r rooms
( 2 ) Assembly o f p e r s o n s , b u t Auditoriums and c l a s s r o o m s w i t h w i t h l i g h t p r o p e r t y f i x e d s e a t s . Reading and w r i t i n g rooms. Churches (1) L i g h t s t o r a g e O f f i c e f i l e rooms. A t t i c s t o r a g e ( 2 ) S t o r a g e o f h e a v i e r i t e m s S t o r a g e o f p a s s e n g e r c a r s b u t r e s t r i c t e d i n a r e a covered
( 3 ) S t o r a g e and some assembly O p e r a t i n g and c l i n i c a l h o s p i t a l o f p e r s o n s rooms. Bowling a l l e y s , p o o l and
b i l l i a r d rooms. V o c a t i o n a l shops ( 4 ) L i m i t e d assembly of p e r s o n s D e t e n t i o n q u a r t e r s . C o r r i d o r s t o rooms o f c l a s s 40 o r l i g h t e r (1) P l a c e s o f assembly of Assembly p l a c e s w i t h o u t f i x e d p e r s o n s s e a t s , i.e., d a n c e f l o o r s , c l a s s - rooms, gymnasiums, c o n c o u r s e s , e n t r a n c e h a l l s , d i n i n g rooms, l o b b i e s , c o r r i d o r s and e x i t s . Ztadiums
( 2 ) S t o r a g e and some assembly K i t c h e n s o t h e r t h a n d w e l l i n g u n i t s , r e t a i l s a l e s f l o o r s . C l e a n i n g and r e p a i r o f goods. Shops p r o v i d i n g
s e r v i c e s t o t h e p e r s o n s u c h a s h a i r d r e s s i n g p a r l o u r s
( 3 ) L i g h t t o medium s t o r a g e O f f i c e rooms c o n t a i n i n g p r i m a r i l y machinery o r heavy f i l e s . Ware- h o u s e s , workshops and f a c t o r i e s used f o r l i g h t w e i g h t s t o r a g e ( 1 ) Medium s t o r a g e S t a c k rooms; l i b r a r i e s , o f f i c e s
w i t h c a r d f i l e s
( 2 ) S t o r a g e o r heavy S t o r a g e ; l i g h t t r u c k s and buses. p r o p e r t y and assembly Armouries, d r i l l h a l l s , t h e a t r e o f p e r s o n s s t a g e f l o o r s . Warehouses, work-
shops and f a c t o r i e s f o r medium w e i g h t l o a d
(1) Heavy s t o r a g e Warehouses, workshops, f a c t o r i e s f o r heavyweight l o a d s . S t a c k o o f books, b o o k s t o r e s
(1) Very heavy s t o r a g e S t o r n g c ; h e a v y t r u c k s and b u s e s , l o a d e d , sidewalks, drivewnys o v o r a r e a s
O f f i c e Load; Discussion and Observations
Freudenthal
( 7 )
suggest a t h a t I n any loading a n a l y s i s t h e following determlnat Ions be made:( a ) S p e c i f i c a t i o n of atandard loading p a t t e r n and i t s r e l a t i o n -
ship t o a c t u a l loading conditlona. Is t h e standard load s u f f i c i e n t l y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c of t h e r e a l load p a t t e r n t o make t h e s t r u c t u r a l a c t ion equivalent o r comparable? ( b ) Evaluation of t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of occurrence of varioua
i n t e n s i t i e s of t h e standard load. When t h e v a r i a t i o n of l o a d i n t e n s i t y i s random, it i s described by It8 frequency d i s t r i b u t i o n ,
( c ) Analysis of t h e t i m e dependence of t h e atandard load and i t s v a r i a b i l i t y : ( i ) t h e r a t e of load a p p l i c a t i o n , ( i i ) t h e d u r a t i o n of loading and, ( I l l ) t h e number, frequency and
sequence of load r e p e t i t i o n s ,
The maximum s t r u c t u r a l a c t i o n t o which a f l o o r of a p a r t i c u l a r o f f i c e i s subjected during i t s l i f e t i m e i a caused by a t l e a s t some of t h e following sources:
A. S t a t i c Load
1. Assembly of persons
2. Assembly of property and s t o r a g e ( I ) F u r n i t u r e
(11) Stack8 containing books, f i l e s , c a r d s , etc. (iii) Heavy concentrated l o a d s due t o s a f e s , o f f i c e
machinery ( i n c l u d i n g loada due t o t h e t r a n s p o r t a - t i o n of t h e s e
( i v ) Movable partitions B e Dynamic Load
1. Forces due t o Impact
2. Forces due t o v i b r a t i o n
The standard design-loading p a t t e r n should r e p r e s e n t t h e equivalent s t r u c t u r a l a c t i o n 8 o c c u r r i n g from extreme
loadings. These extreme loada a r e determined by t h e probable arrangement8 of t h e above components w i t h i n t h e limits of t h e intended "uses" t h a t t h e s p e c i f i c f l o o r Is l i k e l y t o experience. I n o t h e r words, t h e l i m i t s defined by t h e "uae" t e r n w i l l
d i r e c t l y a f f e c t t h e probable arrangements and hence t h e probable extreme values. I f t h e term d e f i n i n g t h e "use" has a broad
meaning and i f it may be f u r t h e r divided i n t o more s p e c i f i c
loading p a t t e r n . T h i s p a t t e r n w i l l t h e n be t o o l a r g e f o r more s p e c i f i c usea of l i g h t occupancy and t o o small f o r thoae of heavy occupancy. This suggests a d i v i d i n g up of t h e s e broad terms. The degree t o which t h i s p r o c e s s of c a t e g o r i z i n g t o more s p e c i f i c usea can be c a r r i e d out i s l i m i t e d however, by t h e
r e l i a b i l i t y of t h e assumption t h a t t h e use w i l l not change
d u r i n g t h e s t r u c t u r e ' s e x i s t e n c e and by t h e limits t o which t h e owners o r p u b l i c a n t i c i p a t e t h e u s e of each room.
This c o n s i d e r a t i o n suggests t h a t o f f i c e f l o o r s should b e designed t o withstand l o a d s varying from about 50 lb/sq f t
f o r off i c e s where deskwork i s expected t o be t h e main u s e , t o about 150 lb/sq f t where s t o r a g e of high s t a c k s of books o r f i l e s i s expected. A 50-lb/sq f t load may r e p r e s e n t adequately t h e maximum loads l i k e l y t o occur i n o f f i c e s primarily used f o r deskwork but i t i s much t o o low f o r o f f i c e s where s t o r a g e o f f i l e s may be t h e only use, It may be b e t t e r t o avoid t h e g e n e r a l term " o f f i c e s " and perhaps u s e more d e s c r i p t i v e terms f o r each room o r a r e a under c o n s i d e r a t i o n . These terms would b e baaed on magnitude and arrangements o f persons, p r o p e r t y o r
s t o r a g e a s suggested previounly. The v a r i a b i l i t y of extreme v a l u e s w i l l depend g r s a t l y on how w e l l t h e "use" i s defined.
Within a given u s e c e r t a i n p h y s i c a l f a c t o r e , such a s t h e s i z e of t h e loaded a r e a , have a s i g n i f i c a n t e f f e c t on t h e probable mean load p e r sq f t . The NBC r e c o g n i z e s t h a t b o t h t h e loaded a r e a and t h e number of f l o o r s a r e s i g n i f i c a n t . Where s t o r a g e i s concerned, t h e height of t h e s t o r y w i l l have
some e f f e c t on t h e maximum probable load. Also, t h e s i z e of t h e room may p a r t l y r e s t r i c t t h e probable arrangements of t h e components. There i s a l s o l e s s l i k e l i h o o d of s t o r a g e a g a i n s t e x t e r i o r w a l l s w i t h windows. The shape of t h e loaded a r e a considered may a l s o be a f a c t o r .
The b e s t way t o determine probable l o a d s i s t o make e x t e n s i v e o b s e r v a t i o n s of l o a d s on a n e x i s t i n g sample f o r each
11 use", t a k i n g i n t o account t h e f a c t o r s of a r e a , f l o o r s , e t c .
and making s p e c i a l o b s e r v a t i o n s of extreme c o n d i t i o n s which a r e most s i g n i f i c a n t i n e s t i m a t i n g a d e s i g n load.
Loads i n o f f i c e b u i l d i n g s have been observed i n surveys by White ( 8 ) and Dunham
( 9 ) .
White's study covered e i g h t t y p e eof o f f i c e b u i l d i n g s t o t a l l i n g 140,000 sq f t . Dunham surveyed two h e a v i l y loaded government o f f i c e b u i l d i n g s ( I n t e r n a l
Revenue Building, Veteran1 s Administration B u i l d i n g ) , t o t a l l i n g 380,000 sq f t . The maximum observed mean load p e r sq f t of f l o o r decreased w i t h an i n c r e a s e of a r e a loaded. T h i s i s expected s i n c e maximum l o a d s occur from arrangements o f heavy and l i g h t a r t i c l e s except where t h e t y p e of loading i s homo- geneous and spread over a n a r e a . T h i s l a t t e r arrangement i s l i m i t e d by t h e e x t e n t of area t o which t h e load i s l i k e l y t o extend without i n t e r r u p t i o n .
These r e c o r d s have been a p p l i e d t o t h e normal p r o b a b i l i t y curve by Horne ( 1 0 ) on t h e assumption t h a t t h e a c t u a l f l o o r
load i s t h e r e s u l t of a l a r g e number of independent causee, none of which i s of over-riding importance. The curves and r e c o r d s a r e shown i n Figure 1 along w i t h some v a l u e s observed by t h e author. Maxima observed by Dunhmm, White and t h e a u t h o r a r e l a r g e compared t o t h e code d e s i g n load of 50 lb/sq f t .
For a r e a s over about 100 s q f t t h e maxima were s t r o n g l y
i n f l u e n c e d by s t o r a g e s t a c k s of books, f i l i n g , c a r d s e t c . and, f o r s m a l l e r a r e a s by b o t h s t a c k s and h e a v l o a d s due t o s a f e s , machines, e t c . Safes and machines a r e considered l a t e r i n t h i s r e p o r t .
White ( 8 ) has observed how w e l l t h e a c t u a l l o a d p a t t e r n i s r e p r e s e n t e d by a uniformly d i s t r i b u t e d load. For a number of t y p i c a l rooms he compared t h e a c t u a l load t o t h e e q u i v a l e n t uniformly d i s t r i b u t e d load ( i . 8 , g i v i n g e q u i v a l e n t bending moment i n t h e room f l o o r a c t i n g a s a simple beam s u p p o r t ) . In
t h e worst c a s e t h e d i f f e r e n c e was l e s s t h a n 20 p e r c e n t and u s u a l l y i n t h e o r d e r of 2 t o
5
per c e n t ,Office Loads; A Comparison of D i f f e r e n t Building Standards Table I11 summarizes and compares t h e o f f i c e l o a d s s p e c i f i e d i n B r i t a i n
( 3 ) ,
United S t a t e s ( 2 , 4 ) and Canada (1). Column ( 2 ) of t h e t a b l e shows t h e b a s i c l o a d which a p p l i e s t o medium-length s t r u c t u r a l members whose t r i b u t a r y a r e a s a r e approximated by t h e l i m i t s of 60 and 200 s q f t . S p e c i f i e d mean load i n c r e a s e s considerably w i t h a d e c r e a s e i n loaded a r e a and columns( 3 ) ,
(4)
and( 5 )
a r e p r o v i s i o n s e i t h e r f o r a c ~ n c e n t r a t e d load which a f f e c t s small spans, o r a r e d u c t i o n which a f f e c t s long spans o r l a r g e supported a r e a s . Reductions f o r v e r t i c a l members, such a s columns o r w a l l s , g i v e n i nColumn
( 5 )
a r e e i t h e r r e p r e s e n t e d by t h e number of f l o o r s c o n t r i b u t i n g load t o t h e member o r simply by t h e a r e a c o n t r i - b u t i n g load.T h i s r a i s e s t h e q u e s t i o n of whether t h e r e i s any
d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e l o a d s which a r e l i k e l y t o occur i n a column when t h i n k i n g i n terms of f l o o r s c o n t r i b u t i n g i n s t e a d of a r e a c o n t r i b u t i n g ? It may a l s o be asked which approach b e s t
r e p r e s e n t s a c t u a l c o n d i t i o n s ? Column
(5)
shows t h a t g r e a t e r r e d u c t i o n s a r e p o s s i b l e f o r mean l o a d s by c o n s i d e r i n g f l o o r s c o n t r i b u t i n g load r a t h e r t h a n a r e a loaded. T h i s i n d i c a t e sit i s more probable t h a t a l a r g e f l o o r a r e a w i l l have a high mean f l o o r load t h a n a number of c o n s e c u t i v e f l o o r s w i t h t h e same t o t a l area. T h i s may be due t o t h e i n f l u e n c e o f s i m i l a r f u n c t i o n s on t h e same f l o o r . Storage o f a c e r t a i n m a t e r i a l i s u s u a l l y found on t h e same f l o o r . Another p o s s i b l e r e a s o n f o r u s i n g f l o o r s loaded i n s t e a d of c o n t r i b u t i n g a r e a i s t h a t upper
TABLE: I11
Office Live Loads According t o Various Building Standards
50 lb/sq f t 2000 l b over
j0.15
when AT>
200 ] Roof 0 , r o o f+
1 12 l b / s q f t 12& f t x 2 3 f t
1
J f l o o r 0.15, roof ! p e r f o o t I+
2 f l o o r s 0-20,I lof w a l l
;
, I j e t c , dorm t o 0.50 : h e i g h t
50 lb/sq f t 2000 I b over .0.0008 (AT
-
150) 0.0008(AT
-
1 5 0 ) 2 0 lb/sq ft'2fr
f t
x 2&f t
/ o r , 0.231 (1+
D/L) o r , 0.231 (1+
D / L ) 'o r , 0.60, whichever o r , 0.60, whichever,
1
1, ' i s l e a s t i s l e a s t
I
j
American 2000 l b over r0.0008 (AT-
150) ' 0.0008 ( A T-
150) ' T o b ei Standards '2& f t
x
23
f t : o r , 0.231 (1+
D/L)' o r , 0,231 (1+
D/L) , c o n s i d e r e d i1
Assoc. l o r , 0.60, whichever! o r , 0.60, whichever,i I
~ 5 8 1
-
1955 ' i s l e a s t i s l e a s tf
I I P1
B r i t i s hi
50 lb/sq f t Slabs i ( F l o o r s c a r r i e d ' 1 / 1 0 u t .i
0 A~ Standardj
o f f i c e f l o o r s v ' l % / f t widthi0.05 (-), f o r-
1) 0.1, up t o p a r t i t i o n j II Code of ! above e n t r a n o e d i s t r i b u t e d 500 0.40, OF, f o r p e r f t r u n
I
;;;;tice f l o o r m i f or-In,>
500 , AT
>
500, *05Inor
<
201
ems
iI
(af/500) up t o; lb/aq f t
I / 13200 l b , u p t o 0.25
1
0 . 2 5 , w h i c h e v e r i 6i
[ d i s t r i b u t e d i s g r e a t e r Ii
i I I I hnif ormly , I :I
1
Standard1
100 lb/sq f t . S l a b s i , o f f i c e s u s e d ' 8 0 0 b / f t width Same a s! f o r s t o r a g e d i s t r i b u t e d Same as above . Same a s above above f and f i l i n g uniformly
Basic Uniformly j I
,
*
REDUCTIOhS ( o f t o t a l l i v e l o a d ) I ID i s t r i b u t e d j Concentrated
I
Beams G i r d e r s j Foundations/
Movable DesianLoad i Load1
Trusses'
columns P i e r s Walls . P a r t i t i o n s 'j purposes
:
I
d i s t r i b u t e d I I*
Symbols AT f l o o r area supported by member i n s q f t D dead load lb/aq f tTo compare t h e d i f f e r e n t s t a n d a r d s g r a p h i c a l l y , Fig. 2 shows t h e v a r i a t i o n of s p e c i f i e d o f f i c e mean f l o o r l o a d s w i t h
a r e a , t h e most s i g n i f i c a n t v a r i a b l e . Only t h e B r i t i s h Standard s p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r " o f f i c e s usod f o r s t o r a g e and f i l i n g purposes" (100 lb/sq f t ) i s included s i n c e t h e s p e c i f i c a t i o n f o r 'off i c e f l o o r s above t h e e n t r a n c e f l o o r " resembles t h e NBC s p e c i f i c a - t i o n c l o s e l y . For s h o r t members, t h e NBC and ASA s p e c i f y a c o n c e n t r a t e d load whereas t h e B r i t i s h Standard s p e c i f i e s a c o n s t a n t l o a d spread uniformly.
Thus t h e d i f f e r e n c e between t h e B r i t i s h and American s p e c i f i c a t i o n s f o r c o n c e n t r a t e d load i n Table I1 w i l l almost d i s a p p e a r when t h i n k i n g i n terms o f bending moment i n a simple beam, I n applying column r e d u c t i o n s based on t h e number of f l o o r s f o r Fig. 2, a f l o o r a r e a of 500 sq f t i s used.
Although t h e ASA has a h i g h e r b a s i c l o a d , it has h i g h e r r e d u c t i o n s and g e n e r a l l y t h e l o a d s a r e s i m i l a r t o t h e o t h e r codes f o r small members and l a r g e members. The r e a s o n s f o r
t h e change from 50 l b / s q f t w i t h a small r e d u c t i o n t o 80 l b / s q f t w i t h a l a r g e r e d u c t i o n a r e d i s c u s s e d i n Dunhamfs p a p e r s ,
Loads much over
SO
l b / s q f t have occurred i n o f f i c e b u i l d i n g s and it was f e l t t h a t 80 l b / s q f t accompanied by a h i g h e r reduc- t i o n would g i v e a b e t t e r balanced d e s i g n w i t h l e s s chance of o v e r s t r e s s . The ASA r e d u c t i o n .231(1+
D, s i g n i f i e s t h a t i fZ
t h e e n t i r e a r e a were loaded t o t h e b a s i c l i v e load L, no p a r t would be o v e r s t r e s s e d more t h a n 30 p e r c e n t . It was thought t h a t t h e r e w a s l e s s r i s k of exceeding 80 l b / s q f t t h a n
50 l b / s q f t over t h i s " e n t i r e a r e a " . The B r i t i s h Standard Code of P r a c t i c e accounts f o r b o t h f l o o r s and a r e a i n r e d u c i n g
column l o a d s where columns have a r e d u c t i o n of a t l e a s t t h e e q u i v a l e n t o f beams and s l a b s f o r a r e a loaded.
A l s o included i n Fig. 2 a r e Whitefs r e c o r d s a p p l i e d
t o t h e normal p r o b a b i l i t y curve f o r s l a b s , beams and columns ( 1 0 ) . The curve i s expressed by:
W = X
?
l o ad +326
7
7
P
mean s t a n d a r d d e v i a t i o nt
f o r u n i t a r e a s x i s a c o e f f i c i e n t which depends on t h e p r o b a b i l i t y of being exceeded ( i . e . t h e a r e a under t h e normal curve beyond W ) .For a p r o b a b i l i t y l e v e l of 1 i n 1000, x
= 3.13.
A i s t h e a r e a . For beams, A = 2a s i n c e t h e a c t u a l load i s shared between two beams. S i m i l a r l y f o r columns,
For o f f i c e s not p r i m a r i l y intended f o r s t o r a g e , t h e maximum probable mean load f o r any but a small a r e a w i l l depend on t h e probable arrangements of t h e sources t ~ h l c h i n c l u d e s t o r a g e and p r o p e r t y , persons, impact and v i b r a t i o n s . For small a r e a s arrangement w i l l not be a f a c t o r . I f i t i s assumed t h a t t h e worst arrangements during t h e l i v e s of
d i f f e r e n t f l o o r a r e a s a r e random, then t h e mean l o a d expected f o r a given p r o b a b i l i t y w i l l d e c r e a s e w i t h an i n c r e a s e of a r e a , and i t s decrease r a t e w i l l l e s s e n w i t h an e x t e n s i o n of a r e a . The normal curve has t h e s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . How well assump- t i o n s of random arrangements can be r e l i e d upon, however, and whether t h e normal curve i s c o r r e c t , might be s u b s t a n t i a t e d by
sampling. White's m d Dunham's r e c o r d s s u b s t a n t i a t e t h e normal curve t o a minor e x t e n t but they a r e very small samples, On t h e o t h e r hand t h e b u i l d i n g standards s p e c i f y l o a d s which decrease i n t e r m i t t e n t l y and remain t h e same between 50 s q f t and 200 o r 500 s q f t . I n a d d i t i o n t h e ASA l o a d s p e c i f i c a t i o n d e c r e a s e s a t a c o n s t a n t r a t e . Regarding t h e l i m i t s of d e f i n i t i o n a t t a c h e d t o t h e t e r m " o f f i c e " , t h e B r i t i s h Standard s t a t e s i t s c a s e more c l e a r l y t h a n t h e o t h e r codes. It s p e c i f i e s 50 l b / s f t f o r " o f f i c e f l o o r s above t h e e n t r a n c e f l o o r " and 100 l b
3
sq f t f o r " o f f i c e f l o o r f o r s t o r a g e and f i l i n g purposes" whioh i s much more r e a s o n a b l e t h a n t h e NBC o r ASA. I f , however, t h e r e i s doubt a s t o t h e intended u s e of t h e o f f i c e a r e a perhaps 80 l b / s q f t should be used,Loads Due t o Computing Machinery and S a f e s
A t t h e r e q u e s t of t h e Adviaory S t r u c t u r a l Group of t h e N a t i o n a l Building Code, e n q u i r i e s were made r e g a r d i n g t h e
weights and loaded a r e a s of computing machinery. The following i s a summary of information r e c e i v e d through t h e a s s i s t a n c e of
M r , D,M. Rosevear of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Business Machines. It was found t h a t only IBM s o l d heavier computing machines e x t e n s i v e l y . Therefore, machines l i s t e d by IBM w i l l be predominant when
c o n s i d e r i n g extreme weights.
E l e c t r o n i c data-processing machines weigh a s much a s 5000 l b but a r e r e l a t i v e l y r a r e i n o r d i n a r y o f f i c e use. The manufacturer r e q u i r e s a f l o o r designed f o r a 200-lb/sq f t l o a d
i f a r a i s e d f l o o r i s n o t used. Generally, a r a i s e d f l o o r i s d e s i r a b l e t o accommodate t h e s e r v i c e s ( w i r e s ) r e q u i r e d f o r such machines, E l e c t r i c accounting machines a r e more widely used and Table I V r e p r e s e n t s extremes taken from t h e manual
" I n s t a l l a t i o n I n s t r u c t i o n s f o r IBM E l e c t r i c Accounting Machines" ( 11 )
.
TABLE
IV
IBM Machines o v e r 2500 l b and 100 l b / s q f t
The s p e c i f i e d NBC c o n c e n t r a t e d l o a d o f 2000 l b i s exceeded by 60 p e r c e n t by one o f t h o machines a s a t o t a l l o a d b u t o n l y 70 p e r c e n t o f i t s moan area l o a d i s approached.
Occurrence of l o a d s duo t o s a f e s were r e p o r t e d i n t h e l o a d survey of t h e E q u i t a b l e B u i l d i n g , New York i n 1922, which covered what was t h e n t h e l a r g e s t o f f i c e b u i l d i n g i n t h e world.
" O f
35
s a f e s and s a f e c a b i n e t s , 22 weighed l e s s t h a n 1000 l b ;5
between 1000 and 2000 l b ; 2 e a c h w8ighed 2200 l b and 2360 l b ; one each weighed 2800 l b , 3000 l b , 3500 l b , and 4.250 l b " ( 1 2 ) .Machinos The a u t h o r b e l i e v e s t h a t , based on t h e i n f o r m a t i o n a v a i l a b l e , t h e 2000-lb c o n c e n t r a t e d l o a d assumption of t h e NBC i s a d e q u a t e f o r t h o p r e s e n t because (1) t h e o c c u r r e n c e of rrmhines of w e i g h t s g r e a t e r t h a n 2000 l b i s s t i l l r a r e i n any l a r g e sample of t y p i c a l o f f i c e s p a c e and it i s u n l i k e l y t h a t
73
machine i n t r o d u c e d some advantage of t h e f l o o r s t r u c t u r e c a n o f t e n be g a i n e d w i l l b e surrounded by o t h e r machines;by p r o p e r p o s i t i o n i n g , keeping i n mind t h e r o u t e of moving t h e machines. To hnvo every p o s i t i o n o f t h e f l o o r a r e a d e s i g n e d f o r t h e worst c o n c e n t r a t e d l o a d i s uneconomic.
( 3 )
People a r e g e n e r a l l y aware of t h e p o s s i b l e consequences i n v o l v e d i n i n t r o - d u c i n g such a heavy machine o r s a f e .M a x i m u m Weight l b 2751 2850 3286 2530 B e 402 403 404 CPC I n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e p r e s e n t r e v i e w of f l o o r l o a d s due t o computing machines a v i s i t was made by t h e a u t h o r t o t h e
Name Accounting machine 11 11 11 1 I Card
-
p r o g r a m e d e l e c t r o n i c c a l c u l a t o r Type 4 9 1 a c c o u n t i n g machine Loaded Area s q f t 20.3 20.3 15.7 20.1 f o r comparison N a t i o n a l B u i l d i n g Code Mean Load l b / s q f t 136141
209 126 320-
I
2000 6.25Mechanical T a b u l a t i o n s D i v i s i o n of t h e Dominion Bureau o f S t a t i s t i c s s i n c e i t was expected t o p o s s e s s a n extreme o c c u r - r e n c e o f a r r a n g e d computing machines. The f o l l o w i n g i s a b r i e f summary o f i n f o r m a t i o n o b t a i n e d w i t h t h e a s s i s t a n c e of
M r . W . I . Moore of t h e Bureau.
It was found t h a t a l l machines were spaced r e l a t i v e l y f a r a p a r t t o p r o v i d e a d e q u a t e s p a c e f o r p e o p l e t o o p e r a t e them and t o move about. The h e a v i e s t machine neighed 2700 l b ( ~ y p e 402, Table I V ) and t h e approximate " t r i b u t a r y " a r e a was loaded t o
15
l b / s q f t . The " t r i b u t a r y " a r e a under t h e machine i n c l u d e s one-half t h e unused s p a c e around t h e machine. Uncomfortable v i b r a t i o n s had been experienced when t h e frequency of v i b r a t i n g machines was i n c r e a s e d from 80 t o 100 c y c l e s p e r minute. These were overcome by moving t h e machines n e a r e r t o t h e column.I n t h e same D i v i s i o n much g r e a t e r f l o o r l o a d s w e r e observed from f i l i n g c a b i n e t a completely f i l l e d w i t h c a r d s , One 25- by 2 5 - f t bay had a mean load of 1 2 5 l b / s q f t produced by c a r d c a b i n e t s g i v i n g a d i r e c t l o a d of 220 Ib/sq f t . T h i s o c c u r r e n c e r e p r e a e n t s a n extreme w i t h l i t t l e p r o b a b i l i t y of o v e r l o a d because t h e c a b i n e t s were c o m p l e t e l y f i l l e d , s t a n d i n g c l o s e t o g e t h e r and a s h i g h as t h e y could be u s e f u l l y used,
The c a b i n e t s could be s t a c k e d h i g h e r b u t a l a d d e r d e v i c e would b e needed. These o b s e r v a t i o n s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e consequences of l o a d s due t o s t o r a g e of f i l e s , c a r d s , books, e t c . a r e much l e s s l i k e l y t o be noted by t h e p e o p l e concerned t h a n t h e l o a d s r e s u l t i n g from heavy o f f i c e machines.
Conclusions
Recent computing machines used i n o f f i c e s weigh up t o 5000 l b b u t t h o s e weighing over 2000 l b a r e r a r e and s p e c i a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n a p p e a r s t o b e g i v e n by t h e manufacturer t o t h e r e s u l t i n g f l o o r l o a d . E l e c t r o n i c d a t a - p r o c e s s i n g machines, t h e h e a v i e s t t y p e o f o f f i c e machinery, u s u a l l y r e q u i r e a r a i s e d f l o o r t o accommodate s e r v i c e s t o t h e machine. T h i s r a i s e d f l o o r w i l l h e l p t o d i s t r i b u t e t h e l o a d , Recommendations 1. Occupancy l o a d s should b e p r o p e r l y c l a s s i f i e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e t y p e - and magnitude of t h e l o a d i n a expected, It i s
submitted t h a t t h e t y p e may b e T-% e t e r m ned by c o n s i d e r a t i o n of t h e f o l l o w i n g t w o - s o u r c e s ; s t a t i c and dynamic. The s t a t i c l o a d s c o n s i s t o f an assembly of p e r s o n s , p r o p e r t y and s t o r a g e , Probable l o a d s i n any a r e a a r e due t o
2. Based on t h e above c l a s s i f i c a t i o n , samples of occurrencea should be obtained i n t h e form of frequency diagrama f o r each occupancy type o r c l a s s . I n t a k i n g samples, t h e geo- metric i n f l u e n c e s such a s a r e a which may a f f e c t t h e probable
loading should be included.
3.
The r e s u l t s of t h e s e samples should provide more r e a l i s t i c loading p a t t e r n s f o r t h e occupancy t y p e , To g i v e more r e a l i s t i c loading p a t t e r n s expected a t l e a s t some s t a t i s - t i c a l i n t e r p r e t a t i o n i s r e q u i r e d , The expected loadings w i l l be based on t h e sample, t h e l i m i t s of t h e type of occupancy including ohange of usage, and expected changes of t h e sources of loading and t h e i r magnitude.Acknowledgments
The Divison wishes t o express i t e a p p r e c i a t i o n t o M r . D.M. Ro sevear of I n t e r n a t i o n a l Business Machine8 Corp, f o r supplying information on weights of computing machinery and t o M r . W , I . Moore of t h e Dominion Bureau o f S t a t i s t i c s f o r a s s i s t i n g and supplying information a t t h e Mechanical Tabulations Division of t h e Bureau.
The a u t h o r wishes t o expresa h i s a p p r e c i a t i o n t o t h e following members of t h e Building S t r u o t u r e e Section,
A,G, Davenport f o r h i s suggestions on dynatnlo l o a d s and W,R. Schriever f o r h i s a a s i s t a n o e i n p r e p a r i n g t h e r e p o r t ,
1, National Building Code of Canada (1953 )
,
P a r t3.
Use andOccupancy, P a r t
4.
Design: General Requirements, National Research Council, Ottawa,2, U,S, National Bureau of Standards, Minimum deaign l o a d s i n b u i l d i n g s and o t h e r s t r u c t u r e s . Amerioeui Standards Association, New York 1956, 2 9 ~ .
3.
B r i t i e h Standard Code of P r a c t i c e , Code of f u n c t i o n a l requirements of b u i l d i n g s ; Chapter1;
loading, London 1952, 33p.4.
uniform Building Code, 1955 E d i t i o n , Volume 1. P a c i f i o Coaet Building Off i c i a l e Conference, LOB Angelea. 3 8 3 ~ .5.
Howe, W,B,W,, Charles Worthington e ta l ,
Discussion ofC.C, Schneider a paper, t h e s t r u c t u r a l design of b u i l d i n g s , Transaction8 of A,S.C,E., Vol. L N , June 1905, p.413-489,
6, Johnson, Arne. S t r e n g t h , s a f e t y and economical dimensions of s t r u c t u r e s , Swedish S t a t e Committee f o r B u i l d i n g Research, B u l l e t i n 22, Stockholm 1951, 168p,
7, Freudenthal, A.M. S a f e t y and p r o b a b i l i t y of s t r u c t u r a l f a i l u r e . T r a n s a c t i o n s of AoSoCeEes Vol. 121, 1956,
P O 133701375.
8. White, C.M. Survey of l i v e l o a d s i n o f f i c e a . F i r s t I n t e r i m Report of t h e S t e e l S t r u c t u r e s Research Committee,
HoMoSoOos London, 1931, p. 45-65.
9. Dunham, J , W , Design l i v e l o a d s
i n
b u i l d i n g s . T r a n s a c t i o n s of A o S e C e E . , Vole 112,1947, P O
725-745.10. Horne,
M,R,
The v a r i a t i o n of mean f l o o r load8 w i t h a r e a . Engineering, Vol. 1 7 1 , February1951,
p. 179-182.11. I.B.M. World Trade Corporation. I n s t a l l a t i o n i n s t r u c t i o n s f o r 1.B.M. E l e c t r i c Accounting Machines, S a l e s
k g i n e e r i n g Department, New York. 1957.
12. A atudy of o f f i c e b u i l d i n g l i v e - l o a d s baaed on a atudy
by C O T . Coley., Engineering News-Record, Vol. 90, NO. 13,
March 1923, p. 584-586.
Bibliography
Schneider, C.C. The s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n of b u i l d i n g s . Transac- t i o n s of A.SoCoEes Vol. LIV, June 1905, P O 371-412.
T i l d e n , C,J. K i n e t i o e f f e c t s of crowds, T r a n s a c t i o n s of
A.S.C,E,, Vol. LXXVI, December
1913,
p. 2107-2126.I s a a c s , D.V. The s t r u c t u r a l sufficiency of domestic b u i l d i n g s , Commonwealth Experimental Building S t a t i o n , Sydney
,
Aunt.,
B u l l e t i n No, 1, June 1956, Sop.D u n h a m , J.W., G o N . Rrekke, and G.N, Thompson. Live l o a d s on f l o o r s i n b u i l d i n g s . U,S, Nat, Bur. of 3 x n d a r d s , BMS
Heport 133, Washington, Deoember 19, 1952, 27p.
Baker, J,F,, M.R. Horne and J e Heyman. The a t e e l s k e l e t o n ,
Vol. 11, C h . 16: The l o a d f a c t o r . Cambridge U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , 1956.
J u l i a n , 0.G. Synopsis of t h e F i r s t P r o g r e s s Report of t h e Committee on F a c t o r s of Safety. J o u r n a l of A.S.C.E,, S t r u c t u r a l Division, Paper 1316, J u l y 1957, 22p,
-
I
II
II
'
I l l
I
1I
'
I I l l 1
I
II
I 1I I L '
-
-
DUNHAM'S RECORDS (INTERNAL REVENUE WHITE'S RECORDS,
1931-
-
-
BUILDING) APPLIED TO NORMAL 0 MAXIMA FROM SAMPLE OF 140,000 SQ F T-
-
PROBABILITY CURVE FOR PROBABILITY OF 8 DIFFERENT OFFICE BUILDINGS.-
MAXIMA PRACTICABLE BY CONSIDERING FILING
-
AND BOOKS ON SHELVES.
DUNHAM'S RECORDS
,
1947-
X MAXIMA FROM SAMPLE OF 400,000 SQ F T OF
2 GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS , INTERNAL REVENUE
BUILDING
,
VETERAN'S ADMINISTRATION B U I L D I N KCARDS
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-MAXIMA OCCURRING IN MECHANICAL
-
TABULATIONS DIVISION-
NOTE:FOR ROW LOADING (i.e. CABINETS)
-
AREA LENGTH IS TAKEN ASTWICE THE WIDTH PROBABILITY CURVE FOR PROBABILITY
OF I IN 1000 (HORNE)
I
II
II l l 1 1
I
II
II
I l l 1
I
II
I I I I ILOADED AREA (SQUARE F E E T )
FIGURE
I
- ACCORDING TO:
-
-
-
NATIONAL BUILDING CODE 1953.
-
111 AMERICAN STANDARDS ASSOClATlON A 58.1
-
1955.-
-.-
BRITISH STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE 1 9 5 2 - OFFICESUSED FOR STORAGE AND FILING PURPOSES.
-
WHITE'S DATA APPLIED TO NORMAL PROBABILITY -
CURVE FOR PROBABILITY OF I IN 1000 BY HORNE.
NOTE: PART a REPRESENTS SPECIFIED CONCENTRATED LOAD
-
(NBC AND ASA) WHEREAS A L L OTHERS REPRESENT SPECIFIED DISTRIBUTED LOAD.
.-.-.-.
*--
-
-
-
-.
*-. BEAMS 8 GIRDERS - 7-
- * . COLS 8 FOOTINGS . . a-
7-
BEAMS 8 GIRDERS - ASSUMPTIONS :-
I
NUMBER OF FLOORS, EACH COLUMN IS ASSUMED TO BELOADED BY 5 0 0 SQ. FT. AT EACH FLOOR.
@ SLABS ARE ASSUMED SQUARE FOR BRITISH
STANDARD CODE OF PRACTICE
LOADED AREA (SQUARE FEET)
FIGURE
2
N A T I O N A L R E S E A R C H C O U N C I L D I V I S I O N OF B U I L D I N G R E S E A R C H E R R A T A T O DBR I N T E 3 N . A L R E P O R T NO,