Work out column load instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.
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.
Axial load
Load = tributary area x floors x (dead + live)
Factored
Design load = 1.2 x dead + 1.6 x live
Preliminary estimate only. Column design loads and combinations must be established by a qualified structural engineer to the governing code.
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.
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.
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.