Live loads

Live loads are applied temporary during the lifespan of the structure. they are usually changeable and dynamic. Some examples of live load are the weight of occupants, furniture, equipment and vehicle traffic.  Live load can be either concentrated or distributed.   However their magnitude are variable, design codes define equivalent loads for different cases. Since their magnitude is not constant, the standard consider their maximum amount.  Bear in mind they do not include environmental loads such as snow, wind and earthquake loads.

Area reduction factor

In designing process, live loads are applied as distributed loads. buts since the occurrence of all sorts of live loads is accompanied with a degree of uncertainty, the designers usually reduce its amounts for large areas. According to standards, this reduction factor depends on the kind of member.

where L1 indicates a reduced live load intensity (N/m²), Af is the influence area (m²) and A is reference area (m²).