Working with Loads

Load Types

Live Load

(100% Duration Load Factor)

This reflects a load that is ever changing. For example people walking over the floor. A moving variable, weight added to the dead load.

Dead Load

(90% Duration Load Factor)

This reflects a constant load in a structure that is due to the weight of the members, and permanent attachments or accessories.

Snow

(115% Duration Load Factor)

The weight and movement (sliding) of snow on the structure.

Wind

(160% Duration Load Factor)

The pressure of wind against the structure including the roof.

Construction

(125% Duration Load Factor)

These loads are of short duration, and can be anywhere from tile roofs in the southwest USA, to plywood and shingle bundles being stacked upon the roof for short term.

Applying Types of Loads to Members

Uniform Load

The load is intended to be applied across the full length of the member, using either PSF/PLF units.

PSF units brings up the tributary dimension input field

Point Load

Load is concentrated at a given point on a member, using PLF units or lbs.

Partial Uniform Load

This load it intending to be applied across a specified length of the member, using PSF/PLF units with a start and end location dimension.

Tapered load

Similar to partial uniform load in that the user specifies the start and end point. The difference is this load will taper down or up depending on the users start or end point specified.

Delete

Will delete a selected load.

Tie-in

Automates a feature of adding a full span of a carried member vs. using the tributary method. The user inputs the full span of a member and the software calculates the tributary loading automatically.

Trib Loading

Supports half the distance between two supports of a member.

Side

The load is applied to either side of a beam (near or far) or it can be applied directly to the top of a beam member. Each of these behave differently when using multi-ply nailing.

Load Linking

This feature allows a user to link multiple reactions from previously engineered members to a main beam (ex. main girder beam for stairwell opening). Can then choose which reactions to apply to the main beam. User will then be able to choose what type of bearing it will be (top, near, far).

Moving Loads

Specified Load, applied at random points along a framing member in addition to the standard uniform loads applied. (also known as safe load checks)

Load Visibility Controls

Allows the user to turn on/off any graphic load on the member within the graphic display.