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AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 (Amdt 5)Australia

Beam Analysis with Load Cases

Structural engineers in Australia and New Zealand who need factored beam analysis results without manually applying AS 1170 load combinations. Ideal upstream of member design calculators - reactions link directly to connected CFS beam, timber beam, or steel beam calculators so load path changes propagate automatically.

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What it calculates

Support reactions link directly to downstream member calculators so load path changes propagate automatically. Analyse simple and continuous beams under AS/NZS 1170.0 load combinations with unlimited loads and supports. Governing strength and serviceability demands are identified by load case for fast member selection.

Code standards

  • AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 (Amdt 5)

How it calculates

The Beam Analysis with Load Cases calculator runs FEA on a 1D Euler-Bernoulli beam model and automatically applies AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 load combinations to every load case you enter.

Structural model

The calculator uses a stiffness-matrix FEA beam solver. You define spans, support conditions (pinned, fixed, roller, or combinations), and the section's flexural stiffness EI. Unlimited supports and spans are accepted.

Load input and load case factoring

Loads are entered as characteristic values against named load types: dead (G), live (Q), service wind (Ws), ultimate wind (Wu), and alternative imposed (Q2). Each load type maps to an AS 1170 category. The calculator then generates all relevant strength and serviceability combinations:

  • Strength: 1.2G + 1.5Q (governing for most floor beams)
  • Strength with wind: 1.2G + Wu + psi_c × Q
  • Serviceability: G + psi_s × Q (short-term), G + Q (long-term)

Demand outputs

For each demand type the calculator reports the maximum value and which load case governs:

  • M+ and M-**: Positive and negative moment demand with the governing load case
  • V*: Maximum shear demand at each critical section
  • R*: Bearing demand at each support

Deflection

Three deflection limits are computed and compared against user-specified span ratios and absolute hard limits:

  • Short-term (delta_s): from the short-term serviceability combination
  • Long-term (delta_l): includes creep effects via the long-term combination
  • Imposed-load (delta_Q): live load only component, relevant for sensitive finishes

Wind load calculation

An integrated wind load section below the beam allows you to compute regional design wind pressures to AS 1170.2 (velocity pressure q_u and q_s, and pressure coefficients Cpt and Cptup) which auto-populate the wind load rows in the analysis model.

Related calculators

Beam Analysis→Beam Analysis→Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (ASD)→Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (LRFD)→

Frequently asked questions

What design standard does this calculator use?
The calculator applies load combinations from AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 (Amendment 5) to factor the loads you enter. Separate load type inputs (G, Q, Ws, Wu, Q2) map to the standard load categories, and the calculator generates the governing combination for each demand.
What inputs does the calculator require?
You specify span length and support conditions (pinned, fixed, roller - unlimited supports), then enter distributed and concentrated loads for each load type: dead (G), live (Q), service wind (Ws), ultimate wind up and down (Wu), and alternative imposed (Q2). An integrated wind load section can calculate regional design pressures and populate Cpt and Cptup automatically.
What outputs does the calculator produce?
The calculator outputs positive and negative moment demand with the governing load case, shear demand with the governing load case, bearing (reaction) demand at each support with the governing load case, short-term deflection, long-term deflection, and imposed-load deflection.
Can I use this calculator for any material type?
Yes. The calculator is material-agnostic and performs load combination and analysis only. You can use it upstream of a timber beam, CFS beam, steel beam, or any other member design calculator by linking the output reactions downstream.
How does it differ from the plain Beam Analysis calculator?
The plain Beam Analysis calculator accepts applied loads directly and produces moment, shear, and deflection diagrams. This calculator adds AS 1170 load factoring - you enter characteristic loads (G, Q, wind) and it applies all relevant AS 1170.0 combinations internally, reporting the governing demand for each limit state.
How do I link reactions to downstream member calculators?
Support reactions are available as linkable outputs. In a Calcs.com project, connect them to any beam design calculator using the link function. When you update a span, section, or load value, the downstream design calculators automatically receive updated reactions - no copy-pasting between sheets.

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