Point Loads Tab

Live Load

Enter the unfactored live load portion of the point load. Minimum live loads are specified by the governing building code. See Loads.

Dead Load

Enter the unfactored dead load portion of the point load determined by the weight of the materials supported by this member. See Loads.

Location

​Enter the location of each point 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 location must be less than the total length of the member. If you change the member length after entering the load, the load may be affected. Locations that are less than or equal to the member length (before and after the change) are unaffected. If the revised member length is less than the load location, the load will be removed.

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) x (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. 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.

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.

Additional Information

​Point loads applied through hangers to the side of an I-joist require special consideration. Hanger manufacturers publish reduced capacities for hangers supported by I-joists. Additionally RedBuilt™ (along with other I-joist producers) limit point loads applied to I-joists. Special detailing is typically required. Contact RedBuilt™ Technical Support.

Point loads applied to the side of a multiple RedLam™ LVL beam require detailing to transfer loads from the loaded side throughout the member. See the RedLam™ LVL design guide or contact RedBuilt™ Technical Support.

Large point loads applied to the top flange of an I-joist require reinforcing under the top flange. This information is noted by the software. See the appropriate RedBuilt™ design guide.

Point Loads Applied over Supports

Point loads within 0.5" of joist supports, for both joists and beams, are assumed to affect only reactions, which is to say the point load has no effect on shear, moment, or deflection.