INFLUENCE SURFACE EQUIVALENT FACTOR OF FLOOR LIVE LOAD AND ITS APPLICATION

The influence surface equivalent factor, κ, is essential for converting load survey samples to the equivalent uniformly distributed load. The traditional beam model has limitations when calculating the κ value, including plane simplification and a single influence factor. In this study, the extensive analysis using the refined finite element model is conducted to investigate the κ value by considering multiple factors, such as structural parameters and member positions. The results indicate that the aspect ratio of the column grid is the primary influence factor. The suggested κ values are as follows: 3.0 for the beam end moment and beam midspan shear, which should be considered as a half-span distributed load; 5.0 for the slab midspan moment; and 2.5 for other effects. The equivalent uniformly distributed load is calculated upon the suggested κ values and previous load survey results. The comparison with the previous design load shows that for the slab midspan moment, the load effect is underestimated by about 40% when the previous κ value is used.