So I am entering the LLR Parameters manually in a 3 over 1 Podium building and am trying to get the Live Load reduction to work. On my job, I have (3) levels, so I thought if I input an area for one level, and then input the total number of levels, that the program would then do the live load reduction based on 3 times the input area. I just went through the latitude design strips, and input the area of each design strips (taken directly from a plan where "Visible Objects:LLR Parameters" is turned on). I input that area in both the Trib Area and Influence Area values on the LLR tab of the design strip settings dialog. I then input the number of levels as 3. The 'LLR Levels' didn't appear to make any changes to how the program calculated the LLR.
As an example, 1 bay of a continuous design strip that I have has LLR Parameters area of 681 sf. It is roughly 28'-0" long by 24'-0" wide so that area appears correct. I have the LLR Calculations set to the 2018 IBC. I went through and input manually that the "LLR Levels" = 3 and the Trib Area = 681 sf, and the program calculates a 17.5% reduction. This 17.5% reduction is what you would calculate by IBC 2018 Equation 16-23 for a 681 square foot area and a Kll = 1.0 for a two way slab.
I thought the whole reason to have the LLR Levels input was so I wouldn't have to calculate by hand the area is 3 times the area that I input (when you have dozens of bays in two directions, and you are inputting the areas manually, adding a calculation to it would be even more cumbersome). So what is the point of the LLR Levels line? What am I doing wrong?
The number of levels influences the maximum reduction, but not the tributary (or influence) areas.
The manual notes:
Number of levels supported - Most codes consider the number of levels supported when calculating the allowed reductions. If RAM Concept's automatic calculation of areas is used, then the number of levels supported is assumed to be one.
And from ASCE 7-10 it says.