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Loads are forces or actions caused by the weight of all building materials,
occupants and their belongings, environmental effects, differential movements, and restricted
dimensional changes. Design loads and forces are those generated by dead loads, live loads,
and environmental loads acting in the most critical combinations, using the load factors
recommended by the governing codes.
Gravity loads, which include the weight of all materials and fixed equipment
incorporated into the building or other structure, are referred to as dead loads. Dead loads are
permanent loads with infrequent or minor variations over time. (NSCP 2015, Section 204,
Tables 204-1 to 204-2.) The following loads shall be used in computing the structure's dead
loads:
Table 3.5
Dead Load Component (From Table 204 – 1 Minimum Densities for Design Loads from
Materials in NSCP 2015)
Superimposed dead load is the imposed load on the structure. Loads of permanent
fixtures and fittings are included in superimposed dead loads. The following loads shall be
used in computing the structure's superimposed dead loads:
Table 3.6
Table 3.7
Subflooring, 19 mm 0.14
Table 3.9
Live loads are forces per unit area generated by moving objects or bodies such as
people occupying the structure or rooms, non-fixed furniture, and movable equipment or
objects. Live loads shall be the minimum loads expected by the intended use or occupancy
but shall in no case be less than the loads required by Section 205 (Table 205-1) of the NSCP
2015. The following loads shall be used in computing the structure's live loads:
CHAPTER 3
Table 3.8
Table 3.10