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Column Load Calculator

Work out column load instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Column Load Calculator

Column load accumulates down the building: the tributary area, the floor area whose load finds its way to that column, multiplied by the load intensity and the number of floors above. The service total is used for foundation bearing checks, while the factored combination 1.2 dead plus 1.6 live is used to design the column itself.

Formulas

Axial load

Load = tributary area x floors x (dead + live)

Factored

Design load = 1.2 x dead + 1.6 x live

Worked example

With the default values below, Column Load Calculator returns Factored design load of 1,080.0. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

Tributary floor area per storeyminimum 0.1 m²
25 m²
Number of floors carriedminimum 1
4
Dead loadminimum 0.1 kPa
5 kPa
Live loadminimum 0 kPa
3 kPa

Results

Factored design load
1,080.0 kN
Service load
800.0 kN
Dead load contribution
500.0 kN
Live load contribution
300.0 kN

Step by step

  1. 1Values used
  2. 2Axial load
  3. 3Factored
  4. 4Factored design load= 1,080.0 kN
  5. 5Service load= 800.0 kN
  6. 6Dead load contribution= 500.0 kN
  7. 7Live load contribution= 300.0 kN

Assumptions and limits

  • The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
  • In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax or compounding frequency into account.
  • Figures are rounded for display to 1 decimal place, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
  • Preliminary estimate only. Column design loads and combinations must be established by a qualified structural engineer to the governing code.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Preliminary estimate only. Column design loads and combinations must be established by a qualified structural engineer to the governing code.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the Column Load figure worked out?

Load = tributary area x floors x (dead + live). Column load accumulates down the building: the tributary area, the floor area whose load finds its way to that column, multiplied by the load intensity and the number of floors above.

Can live load be reduced for many floors?

Yes. Codes allow a reduction because it is improbable that every floor is fully loaded at once. The reduction grows with the number of floors and the tributary area.

What values do I need to enter?

This calculator takes 4 inputs: Tributary floor area per storey, Number of floors carried, Dead load, Live load. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic worked example — replace them with your own site or project figures.

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Column Load Calculator – Calculate Factored design load