TECHNICAL PAPERS
Apr 1, 1983

Probabilistic Load Duration Model for Live Loads

Publication: Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 109, Issue 4

Abstract

A stochastic model of the live load process in buildings provides a basis for the study of load duration. The combined load model is comprised of a sustained load process and multiple extraordinary load processes. Complete probability distributions of total time above a fixed reference load, duration of a single excursion upcrossing the reference load, and number of excursions for a fixed design lifetime are derived. These quantities are necessary for computing long‐term deflection and settlement of structures and critical load combinations for creep‐rupture materials, such as wood. The derived distributions are applied to several common building occupancy types. Results indicate the sensitivity of some duration characteristics to the extraordinary load and the need for even further refinement of the stochastic load process model.

Get full access to this article

View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.

References

1.
Barrett, J. D., “Effects of Loading Time on Design,” Proceedings of the National Science Foundation Conference on Structural Use of Wood in Adverse Environment, Vancouver, Canada, May, 1978, pp. 25.1–25.32.
2.
Barrett, J. D., and Foschi, R. O., “Who's Giving Us the Design Loads?” Proceedings of the National Science Foundation Workshop on General Constitutive Relations for Wood and Wood‐Based Materials, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, July, 1978, pp. 338–340.
3.
Barrett, J. D., and Foschi, R. O., “Duration of Load and Probability of Failure in Wood,” Canadian Journal of Civil Engineering, Vol. 5, No. 4, Dec., 1978, pp. 505–532.
4.
Benjamin, J. R., and Cornell, C. A., Probability, Statistics, and Decision for Civil Engineers, McGraw‐Hill Book Co., Inc., New York, N.Y., 1970.
5.
Bryson, J. O., and Gross, D., “Techniques for the Survey and Evaluation of Live Floor Loads and Fire Loads in Modern Office Buildings,” National Bureau of Standards Building Science Series 16, U.S. Department of Commerce, Washington, D.C., Dec., 1968, 30 pp.
6.
Chalk, P. L., and Corotis, R. B., “Probability Model for Design Live Loads, Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 106, No. ST10, Proc Paper 15753, Oct., 1980.
7.
Corotis, R. B., and Jaria, V., “Stochastic Nature of Building Live Loads,” Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 105, No. ST3, Proc. Paper 14441, Mar., 1979, pp. 493–510.
8.
Culver, C. G., “Live‐Load Survey Results for Office Building,” Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 102, No. ST12, Proc. Paper 12615, Dec., 1976, pp. 2269–2284.
9.
Der Kiureghian, A., “Reliability Analysis Under Stochastic Loads,” Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 106, No. ST2, Proc. Paper 15190, Feb., 1980, pp. 411–429.
10.
Ellingwood, B. R., and Culver, C. G., “Analysis of Live Loads in Office Buildings,” Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 103, No. ST8, Proc. Paper 13109, Aug., 1977, pp. 1551–1560.
11.
Freeman, N. N., discussion of “Design Live Loads in Buildings,” by J. W. Dunham, Transactions, ASCE, Vol. 112, Paper 2311, 1947, pp. 741–743.
12.
Gerhards, C. C., “Time‐Related Effects of Loading on Wood Strength: A Linear Cumulative Damage Theory,” Wood Science, Vol. 11, No. 3, 1979, pp. 139–144.
13.
Grigoriu, M., and Turkstra, C., “Structural Safety Indices for Repeated Loads,” Journal of the Engineering Mechanics Division, ASCE, Vol. 104, No. EM4, Proc Paper 13929, Aug., 1978, pp. 829–844.
14.
Grossman, P. U. A., “Creep of Wood Under Interrupted Load,” Proceedings of the National Science Foundation Workshop on General Constitutive Relations for Wood and Wood‐Based Materials, Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., July, 1978, pp. 350–352.
15.
Harris, M. E., Corotis, R. B., and Bova, C. J., “Area‐Dependent Processes for Structural Live Loads,” Northwestern University Civil Engineering Report, Evanston, Ill., June, 1980.
16.
Larrabee, R. D., and Cornell, C. A., “Approximate Stochastic Analysis of Combined Loading,” MIT Department of Civil Engineering Research Report R78‐28, Sept., 1978, 178 pp.
17.
Madsen, H. O., and Turkstra, C. J., “Residential Floor Loads—A Theoretical and Field Study,” Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University Report ST79‐9, Montreal, Canada, Oct., 1979, 85 pp.
18.
McGuire, R. K., and Cornell, C. A., “Live Load Effects in Office Buildings,” Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 100, No. ST7, Proc Paper 10660, July, 1974, pp. 1351–1366.
19.
Mitchell, G. R., and Woodgate, R. W., “Floor Loadings in Office Buildings—the Results of a Survey,” Building Research Station, Current Paper 3/71, Garston, Watford, England, Jan., 1971, 30 pp.
20.
Parzen, E., Stochastic Processes, Holden‐Day, San Francisco, Calif., 1962, p. 56.
21.
Sender, L., “A Stochastic Model for Live Loads on Floors in Buildings,” Division of Building Technology, Lund Institute of Technology, Report 60, Lund, Sweden, 1975, 160 pp.
22.
Timber Construction Manual, American Institute of Timber Construction, Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, N.Y., 1974.
23.
Wen, Y.‐K., “Statistics of Extreme of Live Load on Buildings,” Journal of the Structural Division, ASCE, Vol. 105, No. ST10, Proc. Paper 14886, Oct., 1979, 1979, pp. 1893–1900.
24.
Zahn, J. J., “Reliability‐Based Design Procedures for Wood Structures,” Forest Products Journal, Vol. 27, No. 3, 1977, pp. 21–28.

Information & Authors

Information

Published In

Go to Journal of Structural Engineering
Journal of Structural Engineering
Volume 109Issue 4April 1983
Pages: 859 - 874

History

Published online: Apr 1, 1983
Published in print: Apr 1983

Permissions

Request permissions for this article.

Authors

Affiliations

Ross B. Corotis, M. ASCE
Prof. and Head, Civ. Engrg. Program, The Johns Hopkins Univ., Baltimore, Md. 21218
Wen‐Yang Tsay, A. M. ASCE
Mech. Engr., Burns and Roe, Inc., Oradell, N.J. 07649

Metrics & Citations

Metrics

Citations

Download citation

If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.

Cited by

View Options

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Get Access

Access content

Please select your options to get access

Log in/Register Log in via your institution (Shibboleth)
ASCE Members: Please log in to see member pricing

Purchase

Save for later Information on ASCE Library Cards
ASCE Library Cards let you download journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters across the entire ASCE Library platform. ASCE Library Cards remain active for 24 months or until all downloads are used. Note: This content will be debited as one download at time of checkout.

Terms of Use: ASCE Library Cards are for individual, personal use only. Reselling, republishing, or forwarding the materials to libraries or reading rooms is prohibited.
ASCE Library Card (5 downloads)
$105.00
Add to cart
ASCE Library Card (20 downloads)
$280.00
Add to cart
Buy Single Article
$35.00
Add to cart

Media

Figures

Other

Tables

Share

Share

Copy the content Link

Share with email

Email a colleague

Share