You are here:

Construction Industry/How to Calculate load bearing capacity for warehouse floor

Advertisement

Expert: - 6/6/2011


Question
Hi,
Please suggest how to calculate load bearing capacity for a warehouse floor, the warehouse is having 2 floors (Ground and First floor) with proposal of having a mezzanine floor at both level, with racking system.
Please let me know how can i find the load bearing capacity for the ground and first floor both

Answer
Hello Ashish,

It depends on the structural system used to construct the building.  Is the ground floor on grade or over a basement?  Is the ground floor concrete, steel, wood, etc?  Also, the 1st floor system must be evaluated and the weight loads calculated.  If there are construction plans available, you should consult with a structural engineer and he or she can evaluate the floor system and give you an expert opinion about weight limits.  There are instruments that can measure the capacity of concrete - that is - determine the strength of the concrete.

If the ground floor is on grade, you may be able to open areas in the floor to construct a foundation for a post and beam system to create a mezzanine which could extend all the way to the 1st floor mezzanine structural system.  This could be done without penetrating the 1st floor system and the weight can be distributed down beams and columns to the foundation.

The building plans that were used for the construction should be reviewed.  The Engineer of Record should have notes and calculations in his job file.  

I hope this was helpful.

Roger
Ask The Contractor

Construction Industry

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Roger Zona

Expertise

I am experienced in all types of construction: residential, industrial and commercial; single family, multi-family, mid-rise and high rise buildings (16 story office building) as well as remodeling, additions and tenant improvements. I can field most any question that relates to general construction. I have consulted with infrastructure (utility) contractors also and have a good general knowledge of underground utility construction for subdivisions and commercial projects.

Experience

After college, I began my career in the construction industry. I chose to become an apprentice Architect and 4 yrs later I opened my own architectural design firm. Six years later I moved to Florida to buy & develop land and build. I became a State of Florida Certified General Contractor and operated my business for 45 years. I built all types of residential and commercial buildings including warehouses, shopping centers, high rise apartments and office buildings and developed sites for other contractors. I retired and became a consultant to the construction industry. I maintain my license and continuing education requirements, operate a small construction company and write a weekly newspaper column for the Palm Beach Post (a Cox publication) with the byline "Ask The Contractor". I am the "technical editor" for a publisher of books that relate to home maintenance.

Organizations
Previously - NAHA Currently - FLCA (Florida Licensed Contractors Assoc.)

Publications
Palm Beach Post newspaper - weekly Q & A column Happy Herald monthly real estate publication - monthly column

Education/Credentials
Michigan State University University of Detroit BS in Engineering

Past/Present Clients
I built a home in Palm Beach for a member of the Pulitzer Family. I was responsible for the completion of a twin hi-rise condominium project for G.E. Credit. I was a partner in the successful development of a P.U.D. (Planned Urban Development) subdivision. I represented the largest home builder from France (Bati Service, S.A.) in the development of a subdivision and the design and construction of the homes.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.