Live Load Distribution: LRFD Page 1 of 4

Live Load Distribution: LRFD

The LRFD tab of the Live Load Distribution window allows you to define live load distribution factors for
Load and Resistance Factor Design. This tab is needed for Load and Resistance Factor Design only. It is not
needed for Allowable Stress Design and Load Factor Design. You can enter live load distribution factors for
deflection, moment, and shear. Include any necessary skew correction factors in your input value.

Enter the required information for one action (deflection, moment, or shear), and then click the Apply button
before entering information for the next action. After you have entered LRFD live load distribution factors
for all three actions, click another tab or the OK button.

Engine Related Help

Allow distribution factors to be used to compute effects of permit loads with routine traffic
Check this box to allow distribution factors to be used to compute effects of permit loads with routine traffic.

Distribution Factor Input Method

Specify the method by which the LRFD live load distribution factors are being input. The simplified method
of input allows you to describe one distribution factor for each action for the member. The advanced method of
input allows you to describe the distribution factors in ranges along the length of the member.

Simplified Method

Action
Select the action for which the live load distribution factors are to be applied. Actions include deflection,
moment, and shear. Enter the required information for one action, and then click the Apply button before
entering information for the next action. To enter all three actions, you will need to click the Apply button
twice (once after each of the first two actions) and then the OK button once (after the third and final action).

Sufficiently connected to act as a unit

(Does not apply to Timber beams.)
Check this box to indicate that the LRFD distribution factors should be computed assuming the beams are
sufficiently connected to act as a unit. Do not check this box if the beams are connected only enough to
prevent relative vertical displacement at the interface.

Compute from Typical Section

(Girder system PS and RC beams, girder line slabs, reinforced concrete slabs and floor system steel girders
only.)

Computes the live load distribution factors per lane based on the values that you entered in the
Structure Typical Section window and the Structure Framing Plan Details window. The computed distribution
factors are then displayed on this tab.

The distribution factors are computed based on the most current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications, Article 4.6.2.2. For reinforced concrete slabs, distribution factors are computed based on the
most current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Article 4.6.2.3. Note that the LRFD live load
distribution factor calculations are not affected by the SPECIFICATIONS selected at the MEMBER
ALTERNATIVE or SUPERSTRUCTURE DEFINITION level. The LRFD live load distribution factor
calculations are based on the most current specifications incorporated into BrDR at the time of release. If
you do not want to use the most current standard equations or you prefer to use previous AASHTO LRFD
Bridge Design Specifications to compute the live load distribution factors, you should not use this button.

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\AASHTOWare\BrR67\Help\BrDR.chm::/BrDR/HI... 9/17/2015
Live Load Distribution: LRFD Page 2 of 4

View Calcs
(Girder system PS and RC beams, girder line slabs, reinforced concrete slabs and floor system steel girders
only.)

Support Number
Select the number of the support from which the range will be dimensioned.

Start Distance
Enter the distance from the selected support to the left end of the range.

Length
Enter the length of the range.

End Distance
Displays the distance from the selected support to the right end of the range. The program computes the
end distance as the start distance plus the length.

Distribution Factor

1 Lane
Enter the live load distribution factor per lane for the selected action for one lane of live load.

Multi-lane
Enter the live load distribution factor per lane for the selected action for more than one lane of live
load.

Advanced Method

Action
Select the action for which the live load distribution factors are to be applied. Actions include deflection,
moment, and shear. Enter the required information for one action, and then click the Apply button before
entering information for the next action. To enter all three actions, you will need to click the Apply button
twice (once after each of the first two actions) and then the OK button once (after the third and final action).

Sufficiently connected to act as a unit

(Does not apply to Timber beams.)
Check this box to indicate that the LRFD distribution factors should be computed assuming the beams are
sufficiently connected to act as a unit. Do not check this box if the beams are connected only enough to
prevent relative vertical displacement at the interface.

Compute from Typical Section

(Girder system PS and RC beams, girder line slabs, reinforced concrete slabs and floor system steel girders
only.)

Computes the live load distribution factors per lane based on the values that you entered in the
Structure Typical Section window and the Structure Framing Plan Details window. The computed distribution
factors are then displayed on this tab.

The distribution factors are computed based on the most current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design
Specifications, Article 4.6.2.2. For reinforced concrete slabs, distribution factors are computed based on the
most current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Article 4.6.2.3. Note that the LRFD live load

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\AASHTOWare\BrR67\Help\BrDR.chm::/BrDR/HI... 9/17/2015
Live Load Distribution: LRFD Page 3 of 4

distribution factor calculations are not affected by the SPECIFICATIONS selected at the MEMBER
ALTERNATIVE or SUPERSTRUCTURE DEFINITION level. The LRFD live load distribution factor
calculations are based on the most current specifications incorporated into BrDR at the time of release. If
you do not want to use the most current standard equations or you prefer to use previous AASHTO LRFD
Bridge Design Specifications to compute the live load distribution factors, you should not use this button.

View Calcs
(Girder system PS and RC beams, girder line slabs, reinforced concrete slabs and floor system steel girders
only.)

Support Number
Select the number of the support from which the range will be dimensioned.

Start Distance
Enter the distance from the selected support to the left end of the range.

Length
Enter the length of the range.

End Distance
Displays the distance from the selected support to the right end of the range. The program computes the
end distance as the start distance plus the length.

Variation
Choose variation type: constant or linear

Distribution Factor at Start (Wheels)

1 Lane
Enter the live load distribution factor per wheel for the selected action for one lane of live load.

Multi-lane
Enter the live load distribution factor per wheel for the selected action for more than one lane of live
load.

Distribution Factor at End (Wheels)

1 Lane
Enter the live load distribution factor per wheel for the selected action for one lane of live load.

Multi-lane
Enter the live load distribution factor per wheel for the selected action for more than one lane of live
load.

Single Lane or Multi-Lane

__________________________________

New button

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\AASHTOWare\BrR67\Help\BrDR.chm::/BrDR/HI... 9/17/2015
Live Load Distribution: LRFD Page 4 of 4

Adds a new row to the live load distribution factor table in which you can enter new data.

Duplicate button
Duplicates an existing row in the live load distribution factor table, allowing you to copy and edit existing
data into new data.

Delete button
Deletes an existing row of data from the live load distribution factor table.

Related window topics:

Live Load Distribution
Live Load Distribution: Standard

mk:@MSITStore:C:\Program%20Files\AASHTOWare\BrR67\Help\BrDR.chm::/BrDR/HI... 9/17/2015