Floor Loading at Gallery Occupancy

[KootK]

I'm looking at some floor framing that both supports and spans above gallery space. The building is a museum of sorts. No heavy sculptures; just large hanging displays and the odd piano hanging from the roof etc.

What magnitude of loads have others used in similar situations? For both of the gallery spaces that I've worked on in the past, the client came back to us late in the game needing to hang rather heavy displays from the structure above.

I've asked the client about their intentions when it comes to suspending loads from the floor framing above. Unfortunately, they are having a hard time articulating their needs in a way that is useful to me. They simply want "flexibility". And why shouldn't they, right?

Anybody have any suggestions to offer regarding loading? Would it be appropriate to classify the load of suspended displays as live load or superimposed dead load? I'm leaning towards SDL.

Thanks,

KootK

 

[JAE]

I think any suspended load after the structure is built would be a live load to me.

"flexibility" to me also means lots of strength for those wacky museum pieces that way a ton.

 

[hokie66]

Suspended displays are live loads. Some of them can be heavy, like the "odd piano". You can't be expected to guess the client's intentions.

 

[asixth]

Does asce have a minimum load for galleries or museum? Your client seems a bit unknowing of the structural requirements which is understandable as a lay person. I imagine the code minimum would be 80-100psf, flexibility to me means +50%. Supermarket trading floors client briefs are normally 150psf. A small time gallery with limited access would have trouble exceeding this. By all means explain to your client the cost implications of a higher live load.

 

[DST148]

@KootK: Try thread507-312421. There is link to

http://www.wbdg.org

which may help.

 

[DST148]

@KootK: Agree with others - suspended displays should be treated as live loads.
Per definition of dead loads given in ASCE 7-05, section 3.1.1 - only the weight of the materials of construction and fixed service equipment is considered as a dead load. The fixed service equipment may be hung or suspended from the structural framing.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

And many museums have "parties" - so 100 psf is not out line separate any other loads