Types of load, load path and BNBC

Contents:
Types of Loads on Structures and Buildings
1. Dead Loads (DL)

2. Imposed Loads or Live Loads (IL or LL)

3. Wind loads
4. Snow Loads (SL)
5. Earthquake Loads (EL)

6. Other Loads and Effects acting on Structures

Types of Loads on Structures and Buildings

In a construction of building two major factors considered are safety and economy. If the loads are adjudged
and taken higher then economy is affected. If economy is considered and loads are taken lesser then the
safety is compromised. So the estimation of various loads acting is to calculated precisely. Indian standard
code IS: 875–1987 and American Standard Code ASCE 7: Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other
Structures specifies various design loads for buildings and structures. Types of loads acting on a structure
are:

 Dead loads
 Imposed loads
 Wind loads
 Snow loads
 Earthquake loads
 Special loads

1. Dead Loads (DL)

The first vertical load that is considered is dead load. Dead loads are permanent or stationary loads which
are transferred to structure throughout the life span. Dead load is primarily due to self-weight of structural
members, permanent partition walls, fixed permanent equipment and weight of different materials. It
majorly consists of the weight of roofs, beams, walls and column etc. which are otherwise the permanent
parts of the building. The calculation of dead loads of each structure are calculated by the volume of each
section and multiplied with the unit weight. Unit weights of some of the common materials are presented
in table below.
2. Imposed Loads or Live Loads (IL or LL)
The second vertical load that is considered in design of a structure is imposed loads or live loads. Live
loads are either movable or moving loads without any acceleration or impact. These loads are assumed to
be produced by the intended use or occupancy of the building including weights of movable partitions or
furniture etc. Live loads keep on changing from time to time. These loads are to be suitably assumed by the
designer. It is one of the major load in the design. The minimum values of live loads to be assumed are
given in IS 875 (part 2)–1987. It depends upon the intended use of the building.
The code gives the values of live loads for the following occupancy classification:
Residential buildings–dwelling houses, hotels, hostels, boiler rooms and plant rooms, garages

 Educational buildings
 Institutional buildings
 Assembly buildings
 Business and office buildings
 Mercantile buildings
 Industrial buildings, and
 Storage rooms
The code gives uniformly distributed load as well as concentrated loads. The floor slabs have to be designed
to carry either uniformly distributed loads or concentrated loads whichever produce greater stresses in the
part under consideration. Since it is unlikely that any one particular time all floors will not be simultaneously
carrying maximum loading, the code permits some reduction in imposed loads in designing columns, load-
bearing walls, piers supports and foundations.
However, in a multistoried buildings chances of full imposed loads acting simultaneously on all floors
is very rare. Hence the code makes provision for reduction of loads in designing columns, load bearing
walls, their supports and foundations as shown in table below.
3. Wind loads
Wind load is primarily horizontal load caused by the movement of air relative to earth. Wind load is
required to be considered in structural design especially when the heath of the building exceeds two
times the dimensions transverse to the exposed wind surface. For low rise building say up to four to
five stories, the wind load is not critical because the moment of resistance provided by the continuity
of floor system to column connection and walls provided between columns are sufficient to
accommodate the effect of these forces. Further in limit state method the factor for design load is
reduced to 1.2 (DL+LL+WL) when wind is considered as against the factor of 1.5(DL+LL) when wind
is not considered. The horizontal forces exerted by the components of winds is to be kept in mind while
designing is the building. The calculation of wind loads depends on the two factors, namely velocity
of wind and size of the building. Complete details of calculating wind load on structures are given
below (by the IS-875 (Part 3) -1987).

4. Snow Loads (SL)

Snow loads constitute to the vertical loads in the building. But these types of loads are considered only
in the snow fall places. The IS 875 (part 4) – 1987 deals with snow loads on roofs of the building. The
minimum snow load on a roof area or any other area above ground which is subjected to snow
accumulation is obtained by the expression,

5. Earthquake Loads (EL)

Earthquake forces constitute to both vertical and horizontal forces on the building. The total vibration
caused by earthquake may be resolved into three mutually perpendicular directions, usually taken as vertical
and two horizontal directions. The movement in vertical direction do not cause forces in superstructure to
any significant extent. But the horizontal movement of the building at the time of earthquake is to be
considered while designing.

The response of the structure to the ground vibration is a function of the nature of foundation soil, size and
mode of construction and the duration and intensity of ground motion. IS 1893– 2014 gives the details of
such calculations for structures standing on soils which will not considerably settle or slide appreciably due
to earthquake. The seismic accelerations for the design may be arrived at from seismic coefficient, which
is defined as the ratio of acceleration due to earthquake and acceleration due to gravity. For monolithic
reinforced concrete structures located in the seismic zone 2, and 3 without more than 5 stories high and
importance factor less than 1, the seismic forces are not critical.

6. Other Loads and Effects acting on Structures

As per the clause 19.6 of IS 456 – 2000, in addition to above load discussed, account shall be taken of the
following forces and effects if they are liable to affect materially the safety and serviceability of the
structure: (a) Foundation movement (See IS 1904) (b) Elastic axial shortening (c) Soil and fluid
pressure (See IS 875, Part 5) (d) Vibration (e) Fatigue (f) Impact (See IS 875, Part 5) (g) Erection loads
(See IS 875, Part 2) and (h) Stress concentration effect due to point load and the like.

Load Path
The load path is simply the direction in which each consecutive load will pass through connected members.
The sequence commences at the highest point of the structure working all the way down to the footing
system, ultimately transferring the total load of the structure to the foundation.
The load path can be identified by considering the elements in the building that contribute to resisting the
load and by observing how they transmit the load to the next clement. Depending on the type of load to be
transferred, there are two basic load paths:
1. Gravity Load Path
2. Lateral Load Path
Both the gravity and lateral load paths utilize a combination of horizontal and vertical structural
components, as explained below.
 1. Gravity Load Path: Gravity load is the vertical load acting on a building structure, including dead
load and live load due to occupancy or snow. Gravity load on the floor and supporting soil beneath.
Figure shows an isometric view of a concrete structure and a gravity load path.

Figure: An isometric view of a concrete structure showing a gravity load path.

The vertical gravity load acts on a slab (1), which transfers the load to the beams (2), which in turn transfer
the load to the columns (3) and then down to the foundations (4). The gravity load path depends on the type
of floor slab, that is, whether a slab is a one way or a two-way system. In the one-way system in Figure a,
the effect of external loads is transferred primarily in one direction, shown with an arrow. The slab-beam
and-girder floor is an example of a one-way system. The gravity load acting on this system is transferred
from the slab (1) to the beams (2) and then to the girders (3). Finally, the girders transfer the load to the
columns (4). The load path in a two-way system is not as clearly defined. The slab transfers gravity load in
two perpendicular directions; however, the amount carried in each direction depends on the ratio of span
lengths in the two directions, the type of end supports, and other factors. For example, in the slab with
beams system shown in Figure b, the load is transferred from the slab (l) to the beams aligned in the two
directions (2) and then to the columns (3).

Figure: Gravity load path in a floor slab: a) one-way system; b) two-way system.
2. Lateral Load Path: The lateral load path is the way lateral loads (mainly due to wind and earthquakes)
are transferred through a building. The primary elements of a lateral load path are as follows:
vertical components: shear walls and frames;
horizontal components: roof, floors, and foundations.
 Figure: Lateral Load Path

Above figure shows a reinforced concrete structure and the elements constituting the lateral load path: roof
and floor systems (1) transfer the load to the walls (2), which in turn transfer the load to the foundations
(3). Roof and floor systems (also called diaphragms) take horizontal forces from the stores at or above their
level and transfer them to walls or frames in the story immediately below. Shear walls and frames are the
primary lateral-load resisting elements; however, these members also carry gravity loads. Shear walls
receive lateral forces from diaphragms and transmit them to the foundations. Foundations form the final
link in the load path by collecting the lateral forces from all stores and transmitting them to the ground.

About BNBC

Purpose:
The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum standards for design, construction, quality of materials,
use and occupancy, location and maintenance of all buildings within Bangladesh in order to safeguard,
within achievable limits, life, limb, health, property and public welfare. The installation and use of certain
equipment, services and appurtenances related, connected or attached to such buildings are also regulated
herein to achieve the same purpose. The provisions of this Code are applicable to all persons of Bangladesh
irrespective of class, creed, culture, religion or sex. The Code does not in any way create or otherwise
establish or designate any particular class or group of persons who will or should be specially protected or
benefited by the provisions of this Code. The expressed intent of this Code is to insure public safety, health
and general welfare insofar as they are affected by the construction, alteration, repair, removal, demolition,
use or occupancy of buildings, structures or premises, through structural strength, stability, means of egress,
safety from fire and other hazards, sanitation, light and ventilation.

Scope:
The provisions of this Code shall apply to the design, construction, use or occupancy, alteration, moving,
demolition and repair of any building or structure and to any appurtenances installed therein or connected
or attached thereto, except such matters as are otherwise provided for in other ordinances and statutes
controlling and regulating buildings.
If for any case different sections of this Code provide different specifications for materials, methods of
design or construction, or other requirements, the most restrictive specification shall govern.
In case of any conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement
shall be applicable.
Unless otherwise explicitly stated in this Code, all references to part, chapter or section numbers or to
provisions not specifically identified by number, shall be construed to refer to such part, chapter, section or
provision of this Code.
References made to a section without mentioning a part shall be construed to refer to that section of the part
in which the reference is made.
The provisions of any appendix in this Code shall not be mandatory unless they are referred to as such in
any section of the Code or they are specifically adopted by any regulation.
Inspection conducted or permission granted for any building or plan of building, under the provisions of
this Code, shall not be construed as a warranty of the physical condition of such building or the adequacy
of such plan. Neither the Authority administering the Code, nor any employee thereof shall be liable for
damages or any defect or hazardous or illegal condition or inadequacy in such building or plan, nor for any
failure of any component of such building which may occur subsequent to such inspection or granting of
permission under the provisions of the Code.