What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
(OP)
I have an 3rd floor exterior courtyard situation (framed floor). The code LL is 100psf for the public area, which is all easy enough, but the architect just introduced dozens of semi-movable planters on us, layed out with various sizes and also in an artistic arrangement (weighing from 490# up to 2300#-see attached pdf). I have ran calcs for all the planter sizes and know the worst case planter weighs in at 193psf.
These planters are intially being laid out by the architect (even though I have it in CAD, they will be undimensioned/uncontrolled in the final prints), and they are technically movable (not easily-but with work the layout could be altered in the future).
This is where I may be overthinking things. I would like to get feedback on whether it is correct practice to go the long route and create load diagrams for each and every joist with the base 100psf everywhere and the 193psf showing where they are drawn by the architect (seems good for lighter floor, but would ignore they can be moved from the original plan and also a TON of drafting/figuring/headaches trying to deal with 'graphic'-only plans), or just add the 100psf and 193psf together (also seems wrong as it is conservative since the planters will always have open walking spaces/paths around them).
Hopefully this is an easy call, I haven't really dealt with this many 'random' objects in such an odd pattern before. I was tentatively thinking bar joists at first design until the architect brought in planters, now I'm thinking full i-beam joists are the way to go if the load jumps to 300psf +/-. Thanks for any help/guidance.
These planters are intially being laid out by the architect (even though I have it in CAD, they will be undimensioned/uncontrolled in the final prints), and they are technically movable (not easily-but with work the layout could be altered in the future).
This is where I may be overthinking things. I would like to get feedback on whether it is correct practice to go the long route and create load diagrams for each and every joist with the base 100psf everywhere and the 193psf showing where they are drawn by the architect (seems good for lighter floor, but would ignore they can be moved from the original plan and also a TON of drafting/figuring/headaches trying to deal with 'graphic'-only plans), or just add the 100psf and 193psf together (also seems wrong as it is conservative since the planters will always have open walking spaces/paths around them).
Hopefully this is an easy call, I haven't really dealt with this many 'random' objects in such an odd pattern before. I was tentatively thinking bar joists at first design until the architect brought in planters, now I'm thinking full i-beam joists are the way to go if the load jumps to 300psf +/-. Thanks for any help/guidance.






RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
I am assuming that it is unlikely that people or other substantial loads will be ontop of the planters. Also, make sure the planter loads assume the soil is saturated and the planter is overflowing with water(worst case when the irragation control fails or rain water fills the planter).
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
Michael.
Timing has a lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance.
RE: What is the typical way to deal with live loads for movable planters
You probably have this covered but make sure you design for water ponding up to your secondary drainage system.