NCIDQ IDFX Practice Exam

Which of the following are considered live loads?

1. Columns and beams

2. Wind and earthquake loads

3. People and furniture

4. Plywoood web joists

The correct answer is: People and furniture

Live loads refer to the temporary or movable loads that a structure must support, which typically include the weight of people, furniture, and other movable items within a building. This is why the choice listing people and furniture is the correct answer. Live loads can change over time and vary based on the use of the space, meaning they are not fixed like dead loads, which include the weight of the structural elements themselves. Columns and beams, while essential components of a structure, are classified as part of the dead loads, as they contribute to the overall weight of the building that does not change over time. Wind and earthquake loads are categorized as dynamic loads, which are not considered live loads, as they pertain to environmental forces acting on the structure rather than the weight of objects inside it. Plywood web joists also fall into the category of dead loads since they are structural elements that contribute to the framework of a building but do not represent any moving loads. Understanding the distinction between these different types of loads is crucial in structural design and analysis.