What is the difference between Building Mass and Dead Loads?
In WoodWorks Shearwalls 2002, building masses used in the seismic load calculations are entered separately from dead loads used in overturning considerations for shearwalls. The self-weight entered for the roof, walls, ceilings and floors in the Generate Loads form is used to generate building masses for seismic load generation only. To enter dead loads directly on to each shearwall for hold-down calculations, use the Load Input form. This arrangement allows for maximum flexibility in design – the designer decides which dead loads are to be considered to resist overturning for any particular shearwall. You may also decide that some building masses should be considered as contributing to seismic loading, but can’t be relied on to resist overturning.
