Weight of Cinema Carpet for Slab Design 6

[engrjenjen]

I am designing a slab for cinema, and at this moment I have no idea what is the weight of carpet for cinema. Is there anyone here who can give me a link to the weight of heavy (worst case scenario) carpet? I want to use the heaviest weight available. Thank you.

 

[thaidavid40]

In addition to the long-term load of the carpet, if the cinema has a fire-suppression sprinkler system, you should also consider the short-term live load of the waterlogged carpet. An ordinary hazard-rated system can supply 0.1 gpm/sf, so the water can accumulate quickly. I don't know how much water a carpet can absorb before the water runs off of it, but I would bet that it could easily be in the 1-2 psf range.

Thaidavid

 

[racookpe1978]

I would use the weight (density actually) for "solid" plastic: assume 1/8 thick plastic layer for the base, and add a 1/8 thick cover fiber at 1/4 the above density. You're not talking plush pile carpetting here - you're talking cheapest possible carpetting with people walking in the dark on it carrying popcorn and drinks.

Spill factor/water loading? Assume - and it is no better than a guess - 1/4 thick water level equivilent as a live load. If the water is that deep, then the people will not be standing toe-to-toe on the carpet either.

On the other hand, max "people load" WILL BE toe-to-belt-buckle close while filing in and out as the movie ends. That maximum people load WILL be greater than anything else.

 

[rlewistx]

I'm not trying to be critical or sarcastic. I think you are getting too specific in your design. Take it from someone who has done this for 30+ years. You should just give yourself an allowance for carpet, like 3 PSF, and move on. If your design is so influenced by such a minor load then you have problems with your design. Regarding waterlogged carpet, if the sprinklers are running you are not likely to have the full live load because the people are not going to be standing taking a shower. I wouldn't consider the difference between a dry and waterlogged carpet.

 

[hokie66]

Nice to see some common sense, rlewistx.