Designing any structural member requires an understanding of its tributary area.  These animations show  how to find the tributary area of different structural elements.

Beams and Joists

Windows Media Player (.avi) / Quick Time Player (.mpg)

shows the tributary area of beams or joists

 

 

Girders

Windows Media Player (.avi) / Quick Time Player (.mpg)

shows the tributary area of girders

 

 

Columns

Windows Media Player (.avi) / Quick Time Player (.mpg)

shows the tributary area of columns