Hi
Building regs mention the dead load for a floor as being no more than 0.50 kN/sq.m which I reckon is greater than the dead load for a deck, since 28mm boards are about the same weight as 18mm chip (I think), but there isn't any plasterboard (which is heavy).
The imposed load is 1.5kN/sq.m, so total 2.0kN/sq.m
Since there is very little furniture on a deck, anyone hazard a guess as to the total load?
And if its less, by what sort of % could you increase the span?
IOW if the loads is 20% less, would that mean the span could increase by
20%?Guesstimates gratefully received!
I currently do this by experience, over engineering & the highly scientific 'FB' test, but I'd like to know how the maths work.