I want to clarify the floor dead load. In section 9.5.a, the rule requires "the floor dead load should be installed while centered with the center of the base plate". The maximum buildable area for zones 1 and 2 is not centered with the center of the base plate. Do we need to move our dead load accordingly to the center of the base plate or center it against the maximum buildable area? For zone 3, does the dead load need to be centered with the center of the base plate? We understand zone 3 can't be 12''x8'' because the load is at 3'' from the center. The load will be outside the tower. However, what if our floor plan is 12''x10''. Where should floor dead loads be if we look at the floor dead loads from the plan view?

Question

I want to clarify the floor dead load. In section 9.5.a, the rule requires "the floor dead load should be installed while centered with the center of the base plate".  The maximum buildable area for zones 1 and 2 is not centered with the center of the base plate. Do we need to move our dead load accordingly to the center of the base plate or center it against the maximum buildable area? For zone 3, does the dead load need to be centered with the center of the base plate? We understand zone 3 can't be 12''x8'' because the load is at 3'' from the center. The load will be outside the tower. However, what if our floor plan is 12''x10''. Where should floor dead loads be if we look at the floor dead loads from the plan view?

Accepted Answer

Please refer to section 8.3 and 8.7 (and Figures 2-3) for precise floor dead load locations as mentioned in section 9.5a: "Each floor dead load shall be securely attached to the structural model at the floors indicated in Section 8.7 in the direction perpendicular to shaking".