Structural Load Calculator

About the Structural Load Calculator

Totals the dead, live and snow loads acting on a floor or roof area and reports the total load and pressure.

How to use this calculator

1. Enter the dead load, live load, and snow load values using the same unit, such as \(\text{kN}\) or \(\text{lb}\).
2. Add the loads together to find the total structural load.
3. If one of the loads is not present, use \(0\) for that value.
4. Compare the total load to the capacity of the structure or design limit.

The formula explained

The total structural load is found by adding the dead load, live load, and snow load. In symbols, \(\text{total load} = \text{dead load} + \text{live load} + \text{snow load}\).

• dead load = the permanent weight of the structure itself, such as beams, floors, and roof materials
• live load = the temporary weight from people, furniture, equipment, and moving items
• snow load = the downward force from snow collecting on the structure
• total load = the combined load that the structure must support

Step by step method

1. Write down each load value in the same unit.
2. Add the dead load, live load, and snow load.
3. If needed, round the result to a sensible number of decimal places.
4. Use the total to compare against the allowable load for the structure.

Worked example

Problem. A roof has a dead load of \(12\) \(\text{kN}\), a live load of \(8\) \(\text{kN}\), and a snow load of \(15\) \(\text{kN}\). What is the total structural load?

1. Start with the formula \(\text{total load} = \text{dead load} + \text{live load} + \text{snow load}\).
2. Substitute the values, \(\text{total load} = 12 + 8 + 15\).
3. Add them to get \(35\), so the total structural load is \(35\) \(\text{kN}\).

Tips and common mistakes

• Make sure all values use the same unit before adding them. Mixing \(\text{kN}\) and \(\text{lb}\), for example, will give the wrong result.
• Do not forget that live load and snow load can be \(0\) if they do not apply to the situation.

Frequently asked questions