Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

For a house with a rafter span of 48', deadload of 15 psi, what is the required uplift?

1. 78 plf

2. 264 plf

3. 363

4. 464

The correct answer is: 464

To determine the required uplift for a house with a rafter span of 48 feet and a dead load of 15 psi, it’s essential to use the correct load calculations for uplift forces. Uplift forces are typically caused by wind acting on the roof structure. In general, the uplift is driven by the pressure differential created by wind. For structural design, especially in coastal or floodplain areas, it is critical to account for both the dead load and the wind load. In this case, the dead load mentioned is 15 psi, which relates to the weight of the roof and anything resting on it. For buildings in areas susceptible to high winds, the uplift force can considerably exceed the dead load. The calculations will usually combine the dead load with the wind uplift forces determined by local code requirements or engineering standards. The given information indicates that for a rafter span of 48 feet, after applying the wind design criteria to the dead load of 15 psi, the required uplift is calculated to be 464 pounds per linear foot (plf). This amount reflects a typical level of structural support needed to ensure stability against wind forces, especially important in regions prone to severe weather phenomena like hurricanes or extreme storms. The other choices represent different uplift