, CHAPTER 2 PROBLEM SOLUTIONS (SECOND EDITION)
1. Name and describe five basic types/sources of building loads. (See Section 2.2)
Dead Load – the sum of the weights of permanent building and construction
materials including self weight of the structure, partitions, floor and ceiling
materials, equipment, etc
Live Load – the load on the structure that comes from all non-permanent
installations including the weight of the occupants, moveable equipment,
furniture, etc
Snow Load – Load experienced by a structure due to the weight of snow;
dependent on local climate, building exposure, and building geometry
Wind Load – Load experienced by a structure due to its exposure to wind
Seismic Load – Load experienced by a structure during an earthquake
2. Categorize the following loads as dead load, live load, snow load, wind load, seismic
load, or special load. (See Section 2.2)
a. Load on an office floor due to filing cabinets, desks, and computers. Live
b. Load on a roof from a permanent air handling unit. Dead
c. Load on stadium bleachers from students jumping up and down during a college
football game. Live
d. Load on a building caused by an explosion. Special – Blast
e. Weight on a steel beam from a concrete slab that it is supporting. Dead
f. Load experienced by an office building in California as it shakes during an
earthquake. Seismic
g. Load on a skyscraper in Chicago on a day with blustery conditions causing the
building to sway back and forth. Wind
3. What is one source you can consult to find the snow load data for a particular region
as well as maps showing wind gust data to allow you to calculate wind loads? (See
Section 2.2)
ASCE 7
4. Where in the AISC Manual can you find a table of selected unit weights of common
building materials? (See Section 2.3)
Table 17-13
5. What analysis method allows the designer to visualize the load on a particular
structural element without performing an actual equilibrium calculation? (See Section
2.3)
Tributary Area Method
1
1. Name and describe five basic types/sources of building loads. (See Section 2.2)
Dead Load – the sum of the weights of permanent building and construction
materials including self weight of the structure, partitions, floor and ceiling
materials, equipment, etc
Live Load – the load on the structure that comes from all non-permanent
installations including the weight of the occupants, moveable equipment,
furniture, etc
Snow Load – Load experienced by a structure due to the weight of snow;
dependent on local climate, building exposure, and building geometry
Wind Load – Load experienced by a structure due to its exposure to wind
Seismic Load – Load experienced by a structure during an earthquake
2. Categorize the following loads as dead load, live load, snow load, wind load, seismic
load, or special load. (See Section 2.2)
a. Load on an office floor due to filing cabinets, desks, and computers. Live
b. Load on a roof from a permanent air handling unit. Dead
c. Load on stadium bleachers from students jumping up and down during a college
football game. Live
d. Load on a building caused by an explosion. Special – Blast
e. Weight on a steel beam from a concrete slab that it is supporting. Dead
f. Load experienced by an office building in California as it shakes during an
earthquake. Seismic
g. Load on a skyscraper in Chicago on a day with blustery conditions causing the
building to sway back and forth. Wind
3. What is one source you can consult to find the snow load data for a particular region
as well as maps showing wind gust data to allow you to calculate wind loads? (See
Section 2.2)
ASCE 7
4. Where in the AISC Manual can you find a table of selected unit weights of common
building materials? (See Section 2.3)
Table 17-13
5. What analysis method allows the designer to visualize the load on a particular
structural element without performing an actual equilibrium calculation? (See Section
2.3)
Tributary Area Method
1
