“Stochastic live load studies in Ghana”
Loading...
Date
1992-09-28
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
This thesis reports on live load surveys conducted in the metropolises of Accra, Tema and Kumasi in 1990-1991. Main occupancy regions studied were churches, public halls, hospitals, factories, warehouses and retail shops. For each of these regions various user-categories were identified and the analyses and presentation has been done on the basis of these user-categories.
A stochastic model has been used to synthesis the sustained load events obtained from the survey into a lifetime sustained equivalent uniformly distributed load(EUDL). In addition, extraordinary live load values have been evaluated for each user category studied. These two components of the live load process have been combined into design live loads.
The results of this research have been compared with results of similar surveys conducted in America, Britain and Denmark which are enshrined in their codes of practice.
The results of this study show considerable variability with those of the foreign surveys. The significance of this study and the evidence for the need to draw a local code of practice are discussed. Conclusions and recommendations are drawn on the relevance of this research to existing structural engineering practice in Ghana.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of the Degree of Master of Philosophy in Civil Engineering, 1992