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Dead and Live Loads
2

Dead and Live Loads

Dead and Live Loads

(OP)
My boss wants me to design a footing for a 16"x16" column for his house. The questions is what are typical roof loads dead and live for a house in the mountains. I got live load for snow as 10#/sf from the Seelye Data Book for Civil Engineers. What other loads should I expect.  I think he is going to use 2"x6" for the roofing trusses. Im a baby engineer not sure what else too look for.

RE: Dead and Live Loads

For the snow, forget Seeyle, you need to contact the local building department to get that information.  Depending on the elevation, the snow could be a LOT higher.  I have designed structures for 400 psf in the "mountains" here in Washington state.

As for the roof dead - 15 to 25 psf, floor, usually 40 live and 10 dead.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: Dead and Live Loads

Agree w/ M^2 - call the locals.

I have done 250 psf snow in Colorado  

RE: Dead and Live Loads

Yes, by all means check both the IBC and your state building code.  

Here in RI it's 30 psf for ground snow, and "not less than" 30 psf for flat roof snow, based on calculations from the IBC.

RE: Dead and Live Loads

Agree with Mike and the others.  Seelye is not an authoritative reference for such items...you need building code references.  Further, Seelye hasn't been updated in 15 years.  Lots has happened since then, particularly with respect to building loads.

You might consider updating your library.  It's good to have older references (helps to establish the standard of care at the time and gives insight into design); however, for contemporaneous design, use the most recent and relevant data required by the applicable building code or locally modified as noted.

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