Probabilistic evaluation of design live loads for Brazilian light-duty vehicle parking garages

Author(s)

Luis Gustavo Lopes Costa ^[1] ; André Teófilo Beck ^[2]

Affiliation

^[1] Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos. Departamento de Engenharia de Estruturas - Brasil

^[2] Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos. Departamento de Engenharia de Estruturas - Brasil

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: Rev. IBRACON Estrut. Mater.; v. 17, n. 2 2023-06-19.

Abstract

Abstract Design loads for parking garages should be reviewed every few years due to changes in fleet characteristics and the impact of design loads on carbon emissions by the built environment. Specifically for Brazil, the authors are unaware of existing studies to justify the design values and corresponding exceedance probabilities stated in NBR 6120:2019 - Design Loads for Structures. In this paper, a simplified probabilistic model for live loads in parking garages is presented. A set of updated statistics characterizing the gross curb weight of the fleet in circulation was obtained based on technical specifications and sales reports between 2003 and 2022. These statistics and the probabilistic load model are employed to derive the equivalent uniform design load corresponding to a 30% probability of being exceeded in 50 years, according to the definition stated in NBR 6120:2019 and NBR 8681:2003. The results provide support for a significant reduction of the current design load for light-duty vehicle parking garages, from the current 3.0 kN/m2 to at least 2.5 kN/m2. Such a reduction has a significant impact on new building construction costs and carbon emissions and would not compromise the structural safety of parking garages built in Brazil. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 22/09197-0 - Promoting sustainability of the built environment in Brazil via GLOBE Consensus
• Grantee: André Teófilo Beck
• Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Visiting Researcher Grant - International