A Novel Live Load Survey Approach for Classroom Buildings by Group Intelligence: Methodology and Application

Abstract

Floor live load is a governing parameter for engineering structures, and its reliable quantification is critical during both the design phase and the structural service life. Although classrooms represent a common building category, research regarding their live load characteristics remains relatively limited. Existing studies generally rely on physical sampling and on-site weighing. These methods are labor-intensive and inefficient, which limits their applicability to large-scale surveys. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel survey approach for classroom live loads based on group intelligence technology. This method aggregates load amplitude samples by recruiting volunteers through questionnaires. Meanwhile, the weights of indoor items are determined via an electronic inventory method. Field measurements verified the feasibility of this approach. The methodology was subsequently applied across four provinces in China. This implementation yielded an extensive dataset comprising 299 classrooms and covering a total floor area of 22,921 m2. Finally, the study presents a statistical analysis and probabilistic modeling of the results.