Structural Engineering · Engineering Glossary
Live load is the variable, non-permanent load on a structure caused by occupants, furniture, equipment, and stored materials — anything that can be moved in or out of the building. Live loads are specified by the building code based on occupancy type and must be combined with dead, wind, and seismic loads in structural design.
The IBC and ASCE 7 specify minimum uniformly distributed live loads for common occupancies: 50 psf for office space, 100 psf for retail and public assembly areas, 250 psf for heavy storage, and so on. The structural engineer selects the governing live load for each area of the building and uses it to size floors, beams, columns, and foundations. Live load reduction is permitted by ASCE 7 for large tributary areas because the probability that the full live load acts on a large area simultaneously is low. Concentrated live loads — from machinery, heavy equipment, or point loads from partitions — must be checked separately in addition to the uniform live load.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
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