Partition dead load

[hoshang]

Hello all
I'm working on a cast in situ reinforced concrete frame project. The partition walls are normal weight hollow concrete blocks (20x20x40cm). The partition locations might be changed (not according to planned). How one can calculate the wall dead load per square meter of floors? I'm not aware of ASCE mentioned an assumed distributed load for this situation (at least to me).

 

[msquared48]

Calculate the weight of all the interior walls (to be conservative, include the exterior walls too as you must add them for seismic anyway) and divide that weight by the total floor area.

I would also add an Architectural Confusion Factor of 1.5. See "How to Design an Inefficient Structure" in your local Archictural library.




Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)

 

[hoshang]

Calculate the weight of all the interior walls (to be conservative, include the exterior walls too as you must add them for seismic anyway) and divide that weight by the total floor area.

Thanks. I followed your suggestion, calculated the weight of all the walls and divided that weight by the total floor area. The partition dead load is 2.85kN/m^2. Is it reasonable? (I didn't add the Architectural Confusion Factor.). Should this partition weight be considered as dead or live load? Are there any ASCE section regarding uncertainty in partition locations (movable partitions )?

 

[rapt]

For ultimate strength calculations it should be considered a live load as its actual value and location is variable.

 

[EDub24]

ASCE 7-10 section 4.3.2 requires partitions to be accounted for as a live load if they can be moved around with a minimum loading of 15psf (.72 kPa). I would design for the average floor load like you calculated but also check a few concentrated load conditions to make sure they don’t control.

 

[hoshang]

ASCE 7-10 section 4.3.2 requires partitions to be accounted for as a live load if they can be moved around with a minimum loading of 15psf (.72 kPa)

I would use 1kN/m^2 partition dead load and 4kN/m^2 live load to avoid considering movable partition as live load.