Overview

About the Calculator

The Calcs.com composite beam calculator to AISC 360-22 (LRFD) enables the fast design and analysis of a steel beam with multiple supports and loads using LRFD provisions. Engineers can quickly and easily model any type of steel beam, including steel floor and roof beams with a handy range of presets that reduce repetitive data entry and improve accuracy. Loads can be dynamically linked between structural elements, so beams, columns, and connections can easily be linked and checked for adequacy.

Composite beam design to AISC 360-22 (LRFD)

Design steel composite beams in accordance with AISC 360-22 LRFD provisions, including composite flexural capacity, shear demand, and governing load combinations. Both pre-composite and composite stages are evaluated, giving clear visibility into construction and final conditions.

Manufacturer-backed slab and deck modelling

Composite slabs can be modelled using predefined steel deck profiles from leading manufacturers such as ASC, Verco, and Vulcraft, or by defining custom deck geometry. Deck direction relative to the beam is explicitly accounted for and reflected in the calculation diagrams and results, allowing engineers to align calculations with actual project specifications and verify composite behaviour based on real deck properties.

Explicit pre-composite and composite stage design

This calculator explicitly evaluates steel composite beams at both the construction (pre-composite) stage and the final composite stage in accordance with AISC intent. It distinguishes between steel-only behaviour during erection and composite action after slab hardening, ensuring strength and serviceability checks reflect real construction sequencing rather than simplified assumptions. Floor joists and floor girders are treated appropriately at each stage, helping engineers identify governing demands with confidence.

Shear stud configuration with built-in design guardrails

The calculator allows detailed configuration of headed stud anchors, including size, spacing, and layout, with support for multiple studs per rib. Built-in AISC-based checks automatically assess composite action limits and flag configurations that fall outside recommended ranges, providing clear warnings while maintaining transparency where prescriptive checks are not fully supported.

Equation-based, review-ready calculations

All demands, capacities, and limit states are derived directly from AISC equations rather than embedded design tables. Governing load combinations and utilisation ratios are fully visible, making the calculations suitable for design verification, peer review, and quality assurance workflows.

Connected calculations across your project

Loads and reactions can be dynamically linked between beams and supporting elements, reducing duplication and coordination errors as designs evolve. This supports a more integrated workflow than standalone spreadsheets, especially for steel floor systems with repeated framing conditions.

Why ClearCalcs?

Frustration to Flow

See how Calcs.com transforms structural calculations from a tedious, error-prone chore into an efficient, stress-free process.

With spreadsheets and clunky software

Frustration, fuss, and fragile formulas—the old way of engineering calculations that holds you back

Struggle with endless spreadsheets and custom formulas.

Building codes change, but outdated software and spreadsheets don’t.

Triple-check and verify manual input at every turn.

Old software feels like a maze, with unclear settings, limited templates, and rigid interfaces.

With Cacs.com

Effortless, efficient engineering calculations at your fingertips.

100+ pre-built calculators for different materials.

Every calculation comply with the latest codes and standards.

Forget the worry of “black box” calculations; verify calculators with inline formulas, codes, and checks.

Intuitive tools built to your workflow, plus unmatched customer support.

How It Works

Your code-compliant calculator

Tired of complex calculations? Calcs Library keeps it simple, secure and code-compliant – so you can calculate with confidence.

Save time with ready-to-use templates for wood, steel, and concrete

Calcs.com offers an extensive library of easy-to-use calculators for beams, columns, and footings, designed to make structural calculations simpler and faster.

Choose from a wide range of pre-configured beam and column options, complete with automatic member sizing, so you can quickly reach reliable designs and reduce rework.

Beams

Columns

Foundations

Walls

Loads

Dynamically track your load paths from roof to foundation

No need to copy and paste reactions between calculations! If the top calculator's reactions change, the loads being inherited onto the lower calculator will update automatically. This includes all loads such as dead, live, snow, seismic, and wind.

Submit professional reports for permit review

Calcs.com is not only easy to use, but also easy to check! All calculations follow an easy to understand traffic light check system, with multiple levels of detail available giving you the choice of printing every step of the calculation and all code and standard references, or simply a compact, one-page print out.

Report heading includes your project name and address

Easily upload your organization logo for a professional report

Use custom PDF upload to merge additional documents to your structural calculations

Download a sample report

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Steel Composite Beam (LRFD) to AISC 360-22