Uniform Loads Tab

RedSpec™ automatically includes member weight in all beam (RedLam™ LVL, glulam, and sawn lumber) calculations. Joist self-weight is assumed to be included in the applied dead load, so RedSpec™ adds no self-weight load on I-joist and open-web truss calculations.

Live

Enter uniformly distributed unfactored live load for each load case. Minimum live loads are specified by the governing building code. See Product Design.

Dead

Enter uniformly distributed unfactored* dead load determined by the weight of the materials supported by this member. See Product Design.

Note: The RedSpec™ analysis factors loads assuming gravity (downward) combinations. To analyze an uplift condition, it is appropriate for the user to factor the dead load as required by the building code.

Starting and Ending Locations

Enter the Starting and Ending location of each uniform load as a distance from the extreme left end of the member. You may enter the location in a number of ways. For example, if you would like to enter a location of 20'-6.0", you may key in:

• 20'-6.0"

• 20'6.0"

• 20'6"

• 20'6

• 20.5

• 20-6

• 20 6

• 19 18

• 20.25 3

• 246

Regardless of how you enter it, upon leaving this field, it will be displayed as 20'- 6.0".

The ending location must be greater than the starting location and equal to or less than the total length of the member.

If you change the member length after entering the load, the load location may be affected. Locations that are less than the member length (before and after the change) are unaffected. If the revised member length is less than the load location, the location will be adjusted to equal the new member length. If the original location is equal to the member length, the new location will also equal the member length, regardless of whether it is shorter or longer.

Load Units

Select one of the available alternatives:

plf -- Pounds per Lineal Foot: The source of applied load runs perpendicular to the member being sized. For example, an exterior wall may weigh 80 plf. This may be entered into RedSpec™️ as 80 plf dead load, regardless of the joist spacing. A load in plf will be multiplied by the Spacing/Trib to determine the number of pounds applied at this point.

lb -- Pounds: Typically used to apply reactions from other joists, beams, or columns. As another example, the 80 plf wall from the "plf" definition above might be entered as (80 lbs per foot) x (16 inch spacing) � (12 inches per foot) = 107 lbs to joists at 16" oc. A load in lbs will not be multiplied by Spacing/Trib.

Load Duration

Type or select the duration of load for use with the input live load. This duration is specified in the governing building code. Dead load durations are not shown as they are automatically computed internally. The listed durations reflect the time that the live load is present on the member in accordance with the governing building code. See Load Duration for more information.

Replace

Select the apprpriate radio button:

• Choose "Add" - loads are added to the application loads and any other loads that occur in the same location. 

• Choose "Replace" - loads take the place of application loads, but are added to any other loads that occur in the same location.

Comments

You may add a note beside the load. It is shown on the printed calculation.

To edit comments, click on the cell. The text will become highlighted and ready for editing. To copy and paste, highlight comment text, copy it, highlight the destination cell and paste.