Load arrangement(pattern)

In the analysis of the structure at the limit state being considered, the maximum effect of actions
should be obtained using a realistic arrangement of loads. Generally variable actions should be
arranged to produce the most unfavorable effect, for example to produce maximum overturning
moments in spans or maximum bending moments in supports.

The nature of live loads is that sometimes they are there and sometimes they are not, so it is
entirely possible that the live loads are fully present in one bay, while completely missing in
other bays. The term load arrangements refer to the arranging of variable actions (e.g. imposed
and wind loads) to give the most onerous forces in a member or structure.

For a continuous beam, i.e. beam with more than one span, all spans being loaded with
maximum design ultimate load, may not necessarily produce the most adverse bending moment
for design.

A study of the deformation lines and the moment diagrams of different cases leads to the
following conclusions:

The design code requires the following three load arrangements have to be considered to
determine the design forces, i.e. moment and shear, for continuous beam

1 Load set 1. Alternate spans loaded with design load and others with maximum design
load

The largest positive moments (maximum sagging mid-span moments) in a given span
occur when live loads are on that span and on every second span on either side (alternate
spans loaded with maximum and minimum load).

2 Load set 2.any two adjacent spans loaded with maximum and others with minimum
design load.

The largest negative moments (maximum hogging support moment) near a support occur
when live loads are on neighboring spans and on every other span on either side and all
the other spans minimum loaded.
3 Load set 3. All spans loaded with maximum design load to obtain the maximum support
reactions

4 Load set 4. Simplified arrangements for slabs

Thus, on a continuous beam the number of live loading patterns that result in maximum
moment effects equal the number of supports. For example, in a three-span beam with
four supports, four different live loading patterns need to be considered to find the
possible absolute maximums in each of the positive and negative moment zones.