Reinforced Concrete Design I

Dr. Nader Okasha

Lecture 2
Load types, load paths and tributary areas
 Load paths
Structural systems transfer gravity loads from the floors
and roof to the ground through load paths that need to
be clearly identified in the design process.

Identifying the correct path is important for determining

the load carried by each structural member.

The tributary area concept is used to determine the load

that each structural component is subjected to.
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 Metal Deck/Slab System
Supports Floor Loads Above

Girders Support Joists

Joists Support Floor Deck

Columns Support Girders

 The area tributary to a
joist equals the length of
the joist times the sum of
half the distance to each
adjacent joist.
 The area tributary to a girder
equals the length of the
girder times the sum of half
the distance to each adjacent
girder.
 Load paths  loads on structural members

Load is distributed over the area of the floor. This distributed load
has units of (force/area), e.g. kN/m2.
w {kN/m}
q {kN/m2} Loads
P {kN}
Beam Beam Column

Slab Beam

Column Beam Beam

Footing
Slab

Beam Beam
Soil

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 Load paths  loads on (one-way) beams

In order to design a beam, the tributary load from the floor carried
by the beam and distributed over its span is determined. This load
has units of (force/distance), e.g. kN/m.

Notes:
-In some cases, there may be concentrated loads carried by the beams as well.
-All spans of the beam must be considered together (as a continuous beam) for design.

w {kN/m}

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 Load paths  loads on (one-way) beams
This tributary load is determined by multiplying q by the tributary
width for the beam.

w {kN/m} = q {kN/m2}  (S1+S2)/2 {m}

8 S1 S2
 Load paths  loads on (two-way) beams
The tributary areas for a beam in a two way system are areas which
are bounded by 45-degree lines drawn from the corners of the
panels and the centerlines of the adjacent panels parallel to the long
sides.
A panel is part of the slab formed by column centerlines.

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 Load paths  loads on (two-way) beams
An edge beam is bounded
by panels from one side.

An interior beam is
bounded by panels from
two sides.

wuQ

For edge beams:

Q=S/2
wuQ
For interior beams:
Q=S
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 Load paths  loads on (two-way) beams

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 Load paths  loads on (two-way) beams

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 Load paths  loads on columns
The tributary load for the column is concentrated. It has units of
(force) e.g., kN. It is determined by multiplying q by the tributary
area for the column.

P {kN} = q {kN/m2}  (x y){m2}

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 Load paths  loads on structural members
Example
Determine the loads acting on beams B1 and B2 and columns C1
and C2. Distributed load over the slab is q = 10 kN/m2. This is a 5
story structure.
B1
4m
B2
5m

4.5 m C2
C1

6m 5.5 m
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 Load paths  loads on structural members
Example
B1:
w = 10  (4)/2 = 20 kN/m

B1
4m
B2
5m

4.5 m C2
C1

6m 5.5 m
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 Load paths  loads on structural members
Example
B2:
w = 10  (4+5)/2 = 45 kN/m

B1
4m
B2
5m

4.5 m C2
C1

6m 5.5 m
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 Load paths  loads on structural members
Example
B1:
w = 20 kN/m

B2:
w = 45 kN/m

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 Load paths  loads on structural members
Example
C1:
P = 10 (4.5/2 6/2)  5 = 337.5 kN
B1
4m
B2
5m

4.5 m C2
C1

6m 5.5 m
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 Load paths  loads on structural members
Example
C2:
P = 10 [(4.5+5)/2 (6+5.5)/2]  5 = 1366 kN
B1
4m
B2
5m

4.5 m C2
C1

6m 5.5 m
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 Load types

Classification by direction

1- Gravity loads

2- Lateral loads

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 Load types

Classification by source and activity

1- Dead loads

2- Live loads

3- Environmental loads
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 Loads on Structures
All structural elements must be designed for all loads anticipated to
act during the life span of such elements. These loads should not
cause the structural elements to fail or deflect excessively under
working conditions.

Dead load (D.L)

• Weight of all permanent construction
• Constant magnitude and fixed location
Examples: * Weight of the Structure
(Walls, Floors, Roofs, Ceilings, Stairways, Partitions)
* Fixed Service Equipment

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 Minimum live Load values on slabs

Live Loads (L.L) Type of Use Uniform Live Load

kN/m2
Residential 2
The live load is a moving or Residential balconies 3
movable type of load such Computer use 5
Offices 2
as occupants, furniture, etc. Warehouses
Live loads used in designing  Light storage 6
buildings are usually  Heavy Storage 12
Schools
specified by local building
 Classrooms 2
codes. Live loads depend on Libraries
the intended use of the  Rooms 3
structure and the number of  Stack rooms 6
occupants at a particular Hospitals 2
Assembly Halls
time.  Fixed seating 2.5
 Movable seating 5
See IBC 2009 TABLE Garages (cars) 2.5
1607.1 for more live loads. Stores
http://publicecodes.citation.  Retail 4

com/icod/ibc/2009/index.ht  Wholesale 5
Exit facilities 5
m?bu=IC-P-2009- Manufacturing
000001&bu2=IC-P-2009-  Light 4
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000019  Heavy 6
 Environmental loads
Wind load (W.L)
The wind load is a lateral load produced by wind pressure and
gusts. It is a type of dynamic load that is considered static to
simplify analysis. The magnitude of this force depends on the
shape of the building, its height, the velocity of the wind and the
type of terrain in which the building exists.
Earthquake load (E.L) or seismic load
The earthquake load is a lateral load caused by ground motions
resulting from earthquakes. The magnitude of such a load depends
on the mass of the structure and the acceleration caused by the
earthquake.

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