SYSTEM LOADING AND BEHAVIOR

INTRODUCTION
In previous lesson different types of loads that might be applied
to structural systems were discussed. Methods for estimating the
individual magnitudes of the loads were presented. In that discussion,
however, we did not consider whether the loads acted at the same time
or at different times, nor did we address how and where to place them
on the structure to cause maximum system response.
System response is a catchall phrase that really refers to a
particular quantity of structural behavior. The response could be the
negative bending moment in a floor beam, the displacement at a
particular location in the structure, or the force at one of the
structural supports. You probably know little about how to calculate
these aspects of response at this time.
After the magnitudes of the loads have been computed, the next
step in the analysis of a particular structure includes the placing of
the loads on the structure and the calculation of its response to
those loads. When placing the loads on a structure, two distinct tasks
must be performed:
1. We must decide which loads can reasonably be expected to act
concurrently in time. Because different loads act on the
structure at different times, several different loading
conditions must be evaluated. Each of these loading conditions
will cause the structural system to respond in a different
manner.
2. We also need to determine where to place those loads on the
structure. After loads are placed on the structure, the
response of the structure is computed. If the same loads are
placed on the structure in different positions, the response
of the system will be different. We need to determine where to
place the loads to obtain maximum response. For example, would
the bending moments in the floor beams be greater if we placed
the floor live loads on every span or on every other span?
Placing the live loads to cause the worst effects on any member
of a structure is the responsibility of the structural engineer.
Theoretically, his or her calculations are subject to the review of
the appropriate building officials, but seldom do such individuals have
the time and/or the ability to make significant reviews. Consequently,
these calculations remain the responsibility of the engineer.

TRIBUTARY AREAS
In previous discussion, the term tributary area was briefly
defined. In this section, this term is discussed at greater length. In
the next section, a related term, influence area, is introduced. The
tributary area is the loaded area of a particular structure that
directly contributes to the load applied to a particular member in the
structure. It is best defined as the area that is bounded by lines
located halfway to the next beam or to the next column. Tributary
areas are shown for several beams and columns by the shaded areas in
Figure 3.1 for a structure with one-way bending between the beams. The
component that the tributary area serves is indicated in black.

The tributary areas

shown for the beams in
Figure 3.1 are the
tributary areas used in
common practice for one-
way or two-way bending.
The theoretical tributary
area for a typical
interior beam and typical
edge beam are shown in
Figure 3.2 for a
structure with a two-way
floor system spanning
between the beams.
 Beams are members that support transverse loads. They are usually
thought of as being used in horizontal positions and subjected to
gravity or vertical loads, but there are frequent exceptions—rafters,
for instance. The term girder is used rather loosely, usually
indicating a large beam and perhaps one into which smaller beams are
framed. The loads are assumed to be applied by deck slabs.
We see that in the middle of the beam the tributary area extends
halfway to the next beam in each direction. At the ends of the beam,
however, load is supported partly by the beams in the perpendicular
direction. Therefore, the theoretical boundary of the tributary area
will fall halfway between the two, that is, at a 45 degree angle. The
tributary areas for the beams shown in Figure 3.2 are rarely, if ever,
used in practice because of the difficulty in dealing with the
resulting trapezoidal load. Using the tributary areas shown on Figure
3.1 instead of those shown on Figure 3.2 is conservative because there
will be more load acting on the member when it is analyzed than will
actually occur.
Very often floor loads are supported by floor beams as shown in
Figure 3.3(a). Floor beams extend from one girder to another. Normally
the floor beams are connected to the
girders with connections that can be idealized as simple supports,
that is, no moment is assumed to occur at their ends. When the floor
beams are framed in this manner, the loads that act on them are shown
in Figure 3-3(b). The term w represents the uniform load the beam must
support per foot including its own weight.
The girders must support the reactions from the beams connected
to them as well as their own weights. Therefore, the total reactions
applied to the interior and exterior girders of Figure 3.3 are as
follows. Notice that in addition to the beam reactions, a girder must
support its own weight as well
𝐿1+𝐿2
For an interior girder P = 𝑤 ( )𝑠
2

𝐿1𝑜𝑟 𝐿2
For an exterior girder P = 𝑤( )𝑠
2

Examples 1 and 2 illustrate the computation of loads acting on

columns, beams, and girders. Before working the examples, one
additional comment should be made regarding structural framing. The
beams and girders in a frame can be connected to the columns either as
simple supports or in a manner that allows moment to exist at the ends
of the members. If moment is resisted at the ends of the beams and
girders, the frame is referred to as a moment resisting frame. If
simple non moment resisting connections are used, diagonal bracing or
shear walls must be provided for lateral stability.
EXAMPLE 1.
The building
floor shown Figure 1
is to be designed to
support a uniformly
distributed load of
50 lb/ft2 over its
entire area.
Neglecting member
weights, determine
the loads to be
supported by (a)
interior column B3,
(b) edge column E2
and (c) corner column
A1.
Solution.
Column B3
20 𝑓𝑡 +20 𝑓𝑡 20 𝑓𝑡 +20 𝑓𝑡
P = (50 lb/ft2) ( )( )= 25,000 lbs
2 2

Column E2
20 𝑓𝑡 +20 𝑓𝑡 25 𝑓𝑡
P =(50psf)( 2
)( 2 ) = 12,500 lbs
Column A1
20 𝑓𝑡 25 𝑓𝑡
P =(50psf)( 2
)( 2 ) = 6,250 lbs

EXAMPLE 2.
The building floor shown in Figure 2 is to be designed to support a
uniformly distributed load of 50 lb./ft2 over its entire area.
Neglecting member weights, determine the following:
(a) The uniform load per foot to be supported by a typical
interior beam
(b) The concentrated loads, or P loads, applied to the
interior girder A2-B2
(c) The concentrated loads, or P loads, applied to the
exterior girder A1-B1
Solution.
(a) Interior Floor Beam
w = (50 lb./ft2)(5ft)=250 lb/ft
(b) Interior girder A2-B2
20 𝑓𝑡 +20 𝑓𝑡
P =(250 lb/ft)( ) = 5000 lb
2

concentrated loads 5ft on center

(c) Exterior girder A1-B1
20 𝑓𝑡
P =(250 lb/ft) ( ) = 2500 lb
2

concentrated loads 5ft on center