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IBC 2009-2024, IRC 2009-2024, ASCE 7-10 - 7-22United States

Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (ASD)

Enter unfactored dead, live, snow, wind, and seismic loads and the calculator automatically generates all governing ASD combinations per IBC and ASCE 7-10 through 7-22, then runs FEA to show moment, shear, and deflection demands for every combination. Support reactions from the governing combination link to connected column and footing calculations so the whole load path updates when you change any input.

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What it calculates

Enter unfactored loads and the calculator generates all governing ASD combinations per IBC/ASCE 7, then runs FEA to produce moment, shear, and deflection demands for every combination. Identify the governing case instantly without manual load factor application.

Code standards

  • IBC 2009-2024, IRC 2009-2024, ASCE 7-10 - 7-22

How it calculates

The ASD Beam Analysis calculator runs the FEA solver across all ASCE 7 ASD load combinations simultaneously, returning the governing envelope demand for each result type.

Load input and combination generation

Loads are entered by type: D (dead), L (live floor), Lr (roof live), S (snow), R (rain), W,dn (wind downward), W,up (wind uplift), Ev (seismic vertical), and Eh (seismic horizontal). Distributed loads are entered as area intensities (psf) and converted to beam-line loads using the tributary width. The calculator then automatically applies the ASD combination coefficients from ASCE 7 Section 2.4 to each load type - for example, D + 0.75L + 0.75S or 0.6D + 0.6W,up - generating 16 strength combinations and additional serviceability combinations.

Strength envelope

For each combination the FEA solver computes bending moment, shear, and deflection at every point along the beam. The governing demands are:

  • M+ = max positive moment across all strength combinations
  • M- = max negative moment (hogging) across all strength combinations
  • V = max |shear| across all strength combinations
  • Max reaction = governing bearing demand at any support

The governing combination label is reported for each demand so the engineer can confirm which load pattern controls.

Serviceability demands

Three deflection demands are tracked under separate service-level combinations:

  • Short-term (δST): deflection under live/roof live/snow/wind service loads
  • Long-term (δLT): deflection under total load with creep amplification
  • DL+(LL or SL): simplified envelope for total sustained plus transient load

The calculator does not apply member capacity checks - it delivers factored ASD demands for use in a separate member design calculator or for direct comparison to allowable values.

Related calculators

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

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Frequently asked questions

What load combinations does the ASD Beam Analysis calculator use?
All ASD load combinations from IBC 2009-2024 and ASCE 7-10 through 7-22, Section 2.4. The full set includes 16 strength combinations covering dead (D), live floor (L), roof live (Lr), snow (S), rain (R), wind downward (W,dn), wind uplift (W,up), and seismic (Ev, Eh). Each load type is entered as an unfactored value; the calculator applies the combination coefficients automatically.
What are the key inputs?
Beam geometry and support configuration (same as the standard beam analysis calculator), plus unfactored load magnitudes by type - dead, live (floor), live (roof), snow, rain, wind, and seismic, entered as area intensities (psf) for distributed loads or forces (kip) for point loads. Center-to-center tributary width converts area loads to beam-line loads.
What results does it output?
Governing positive moment demand M+ and negative moment demand M- (kip·ft), governing shear V (kip), maximum bearing/reaction demand (kip), and three deflection demands: short-term (live/snow/wind), long-term, and simplified DL+(LL or SL). A full load combination table shows results for every ASD combination so you can see which combination governs each demand.
What is the difference between this calculator and the LRFD version?
ASD combinations (ASCE 7 Section 2.4) produce service-level or reduced-factored demands compared directly to allowable capacities - use this when your member design calculator uses ASD. LRFD combinations (Section 2.3) apply strength-level load factors producing factored demands for comparison against reduced nominal capacities - use the LRFD version when your design calculator is LRFD-based.
Does the calculator support live load reduction?
Yes - live load reduction (LLR) per ASCE 7-16 Cl 4.7 is an optional toggle. When enabled, floor live loads on larger tributary areas are reduced in accordance with the code-prescribed formula.
Does this calculator support load linking with column and footing calculations?
Yes - support reactions from the governing load combination link directly to connected column or footing calculations in the same project. Change any unfactored load magnitude and all linked calculations update automatically - no manual reaction transfer between spreadsheets.

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