Podium Slab Live Load Reduction

[AUCE98]

I would like the communities opinion on an issue faced currently in our office. We are designing a 4-level wood framed structure placed on a PT podium slab. The typical live load for the wood framed portion of the structure is 40psf. How is the live load reduction applied to the podium slab? My opinion is that the total live load (Lo) supported by the podium slab (4floors x 40psf) = 160psf is able to be reduced per IBC-2000 Eq 16-1, where At, Tributary area, is based on all floor levels above. Any insight would be appreciated.

AUCE98

 

[dik]

Is the podium an assembly type occupancy... if so, then most jurisdictions use 100 psf live load...

Dik

 

[AUCE98]

dik,

All loading is residential, 40psf.

 

[rapt]

AUCE98,

My understanding of live load reductions is that each member placing load on the podium floor can have its live load reduced based on its tributary area. It is not related to the whole floor area. All of the walls cannot be called a single member.