You are constructing a deck that will be attached to a house in Detroit. The deck is 12 feet by 16 feet and will support a live load of 40 psf. What is the total live load the deck must support?
Correct Answer
C) 7,680 pounds
Total live load = Area × Load per square foot = (12 ft × 16 ft) × 40 psf = 192 sq ft × 40 psf = 7,680 pounds.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Option C (7,680 pounds) is correct. Total live load = Area × Live load per square foot = (12 ft × 16 ft) × 40 psf = 192 sq ft × 40 psf = 7,680 pounds. This is a straightforward area-times-pressure calculation.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 8,000 pounds
Option A (8,000 pounds) is incorrect. This result might come from rounding 192 sq ft up to 200 sq ft (200 × 40 = 8,000), which is an arithmetic error. Always use the actual calculated area.
Option B: 7,200 pounds
Option B (7,200 pounds) is incorrect. This could come from mistakenly using 12 × 15 = 180 sq ft instead of the correct 192 sq ft (12 × 16), a simple multiplication error.
Option D: 6,400 pounds
Option D (6,400 pounds) is incorrect. This result comes from using only one dimension twice — for example 16 × 16 × 25 psf or another dimensional error — rather than correctly computing 12 × 16 × 40 psf.
Memory Technique
Remember: Live Load = Length × Width × Load per sq ft. Think 'L-W-L' (Length, Width, Load). For this deck: 12 × 16 = 192 sq ft, then 192 × 40 = 7,680 lbs.
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