TRIBUTARY

AREA
CE 426
 The primary loads on a
structure are dead loads
TRIBUTARY AREA
due to the weight of
structural components The standard unit load in the NSCP is for a
and live loads due to unit area: it needs to be multiplied by the
structural occupancy and effective area of the structural element on
usage. which it acts to ascertain the total load.
The other common
In certain cases, the NSCP specifies the
loads are snow loads,
concentrated load; then, its location needs
wind loads, and seismic
to be considered for maximum effect.
loads.
 The tributary area of the beam
CD is B × L and the load is W =
w × B × L, where w is the unit
standard load.

The area of the strip is 1 × B. The load of the strip is w

× B, which represents the uniform load per running
foot (or meter) of the beam.
SAMPLE 1:
SAMPLE 2:
PROBLEM:
Calculate load on Beam AB:

In Figure, the span L is 30 ft. and

the spacing B is 10 ft. The
distributed standard unit load on
the floor is 60 lb/ft².
Determine the tributary area, and
show the loading on beam AB.
PROBLEM:
Calculate load on Beam AB:
EXERCISE:

In Figure, the span L is 6m. and the

spacing B is 2m.
The distributed standard unit load on the
floor is 4.9 kpa.
Determine the tributary area on the
whole floor.
Show your calculations.
Draw the diagram.