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The Load Calculator helps structural engineers determine dead and live loads acting on building structures. Calculate loads from building materials, finishes, equipment, and occupancy to ensure structural elements are properly sized.
Understanding load magnitudes and distributions is fundamental to structural design. Dead loads are permanent (structure, finishes, equipment), while live loads are temporary (occupants, furniture, movable equipment). Building codes specify minimum live loads by occupancy type.
Enter material weights, floor areas, and occupancy types to calculate total dead and live loads. The calculator helps determine load combinations for structural analysis and ensures designs meet building code requirements for different occupancy classifications.
Features
Everything you need
- Dead load calculations
- Live load determination by occupancy
- Load combination calculations
- Multiple material weight presets
- Area-based load distribution
- IBC load requirements
- Load path analysis
How it works
Simple workflow
- 1Enter structural material weights
- 2Add finish and equipment loads
- 3Specify occupancy type for live loads
- 4Input floor areas and spans
- 5Review calculated total loads
Use cases
Built for real-world scenarios
Structural design
Calculate loads for beam, column, and foundation design during structural engineering.
Code compliance
Verify that designs meet IBC minimum live load requirements for different occupancies.
Renovation assessments
Evaluate existing structure capacity when adding loads or changing occupancy types.
Load path analysis
Trace loads from point of application through structural elements to foundations.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Dead load is the permanent weight of the structure itself: concrete, steel, masonry, finishes, and permanently installed equipment. Dead loads don't change over time and are always present.
Live load is temporary, variable weight: occupants, furniture, movable equipment, and stored materials. IBC specifies minimum live loads: Offices 50 psf, Residential 40 psf, Retail 100 psf, Warehouses 125-250 psf.
Total Load = Dead Load + Live Load. For load combinations, use: 1.2D + 1.6L (strength design) or D + L (serviceability). Always use the most critical combination.
Consider: structural dead load, finishes (flooring, ceilings), MEP equipment, partitions, live loads per occupancy, roof loads (snow, rain), and special loads (equipment, storage).
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We're always looking to improve our calculators. If you have ideas for new features, improvements, or found something that could work better, we'd love to hear from you.
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