Review of Live Loads Due to Human Movements

Abstract

Present U.S. structural engineering practice assumes that live load components due to human occupancy and human movements for the design of assembly structures, such as grandstands, can be represented as statically applied uniform or line loads. A review of code values and procedures reveals a history of theoretical, experimental, empirical, and practical developments and events that provide insight into their sources and meanings. The mechanisms by which they have been implemented should prove to be interesting and informative to the design engineer and others concerned with the modernization of codes. The designer is provided with a perspective of a complex commonly used codified deterministic loading.