Averaging Loads 2

[DaveAtkins]

My client wants to use the second floor of a former jail facility (which was designed for a 40 psf live load) for storage of Banker's Boxes, stacked seven high in a rack system (live load = 146 psf at the boxes).

I produced a report which shows how to lay out the boxes, with wide aisles in between, so as not to exceed the 40 psf live load. The Building Inspector in the city where the facility is located will not accept this, stating that our State's Building Code requires 125 psf minimum uniform live load for storage.

Any ideas? The client does not want to upgrade the existing floor.

DaveAtkins

 

[AUCE98]

The most critical issue with increasing load on a PT floor is typically concern of punching shear, which could determine an upper bound for the increase in the slab capacity fairly quickly. Look at that value and work backwards.

Regards,

AUCE98

 

[pcronin]

Dave,
I designed a similar situation in a telecommunications facility and heavy battery loads. I was able to locate the loads along a bearing wall and develop a bracket system that attached the wall and cantilevered out at the base to pick up the batteries. I am not sure if you can live with this type of layout, but we were able to make it work for our project. Best of luck.

p.s. The building official has a valid point. It is difficult enough to argue with a building official even when they are completely wrong.