Column Loads for 4-Story Parking Structure

[moe333]

Hello,
Trying to make a rough settlement estimate without much project info in Southern California.
Any ideas on typical column loads for a 4-Story Parking Garage (Dead and Dead + Live)?
How about the ground floor (6" concrete slab + Live load from passenger cars)?
Thanks!

 

[mike20793]

The column layout will greatly affect the loads. Do you know column layout, or is that part of the unknown project information?

 

[Deadblow]

In the parking garages that I have helped design, we used 40 psf for passenger cars.

 

[moe333]

Column layout is unknown

 

[JAE]

Column layout is unknown

Then any guesses are based on insufficient data and shouldn't be counted on.
Get the bay layout dimensions, type of garage floor construction and maybe we could help you get close.



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[BUGGAR]

Make up a realistic column grid and make the settlement estimate based on that grid. Make sure you qualify what your settlement estimate is based on.
To get a realistic column grid, bring a tape with you next time you park in a garage. Also you might want to consider the heavy SUV's and HUMVEES that we drive in SoCal.

 

[msquared48]

Realistic layout might be a 5 or 26 foot square grid, considering spanning three parking spaces and a center aisleway.

Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)