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Abstract
Qualitative understanding and statistical characterization of live loads are necessary for efficient structural design. While live loads are relatively well understood for floors in office and residential buildings, there is a paucity of data for roof live loads. Roofs, notably low-slope roofs, may experience live loads during regular and extraordinary maintenance of the roof itself, or of any equipment installed on the roof. While specifications worldwide provide recommendations for roof live loads, the origin of these loads are either unknown or a priori. Statistical variation in roof live loads is not considered. This report begins with a comparison between the major national standards. To establish a firm basis for roof live loads, a questionnaire is developed and distributed to industry professionals. The data is used to create probabilistic models for roof live loads which include spatial and temporal variation, and variance in magnitude. Three low-slope roof archetypes are used in structural model development. The developed probabilistic model is assessed for sensitivity to mean, variance, occurrence rate, and time duration. The model is capable of characterizing stochastic variation in roof live loads and provides a quantitative basis for future inclusion in national standards.
Qualitative understanding and statistical characterization of live loads are necessary for efficient structural design. While live loads are relatively well understood for floors in office and residential buildings, there is a paucity of data for roof live loads. Roofs, notably low-slope roofs, may experience live loads during regular and extraordinary maintenance of the roof itself, or of any equipment installed on the roof. While specifications worldwide provide recommendations for roof live loads, the origin of these loads are either unknown or a priori. Statistical variation in roof live loads is not considered. This report begins with a comparison between the major national standards. To establish a firm basis for roof live loads, a questionnaire is developed and distributed to industry professionals. The data is used to create probabilistic models for roof live loads which include spatial and temporal variation, and variance in magnitude. Three low-slope roof archetypes are used in structural model development. The developed probabilistic model is assessed for sensitivity to mean, variance, occurrence rate, and time duration. The model is capable of characterizing stochastic variation in roof live loads and provides a quantitative basis for future inclusion in national standards.
Date
10/2023
10/2023
Author(s)
Sanjay R. Arwade and Kara D. Peterman
Sanjay R. Arwade and Kara D. Peterman
Page(s)
1-54
1-54
Source
Steel Deck Institute
Steel Deck Institute
Keyword(s)
roof; live; loads; variation; model
roof; live; loads; variation; model