> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://calcs.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Analyze a Beam with Load Cases (AS/NZS 1170.0)

> Analyze simple and continuous beams under AS/NZS 1170.0:2002 (Amdt 5) load combinations, with governing demands identified by load case.

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    <div className="calc-details-chips"><span className="calc-chip calc-chip--region">Australia</span><span className="calc-chip calc-chip--primary">AS1170.0:2002 (Amdt 5)</span></div>
    <div className="calc-details-head"><span className="calc-card-icon">    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/clearcalcs/76EPoy-ubBj1vg6U/images/calculator-icons/0532976f2dbedd01af928ba217afcf79488cf0d01704705eaa2bde4b86993f75.svg?fit=max&auto=format&n=76EPoy-ubBj1vg6U&q=85&s=83628d22c6683001650bb36525c9a261" alt="" width="24" height="24" loading="lazy" data-path="images/calculator-icons/0532976f2dbedd01af928ba217afcf79488cf0d01704705eaa2bde4b86993f75.svg" /></span><p className="calc-details-name">Beam Analysis with Load Cases</p><a className="calc-details-run" href="https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases">Run the calc</a></div>
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<div className="calc-answer">
  Support reactions link directly to downstream member calculators so load path changes propagate automatically. Analyze 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.
</div>

Quickly analyze factored loads on a simple or continuous beam with the Calcs.com Beam Analysis with Load Cases calculator. The calculator allows unlimited loads and supports, and automatically factors loads to Australian standards for fast analysis of strength and serviceability limit states for AS1170.1.

## Method & scope

| Property         | Detail                                                                                                                                     |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Design standards | AS1170.0:2002 (Amdt 5)                                                                                                                     |
| Regions          | Australia & New Zealand                                                                                                                    |
| Presets          | Generic Beam, Rafter, Roof Bearer, Underpurlin, Strutting / Counter-Strutting Beam, Verandah Beam, Hanging Beam, Ceiling Joist, and 5 more |
| What it checks   | Structural model, Load input and load case factoring, Demand outputs, Deflection, Wind load calculation                                    |

#### Calculation method

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.

## How to use it

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the calculator">
    Open it from **Run calc** in the About this calculator panel above. To start from a typical setup, choose one of the presets listed there.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Enter your inputs">
    Work through the input sections from top to bottom. Click any input label to see its reference explanation, clause, conditions and assumptions. See [Checks, References, Conditions and Assumptions](/docs/running-calculations/checking-results/checks-references-conditions-assumptions).
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the results and export">
    Check the utilization of each governing check in the summary, then export a PDF report. See [Views and Export](/docs/running-calculations/exporting-reports/views-and-export).
  </Step>
</Steps>

<iframe src="https://fast.wistia.com/embed/medias/4mh32oauqf" title="Beam Analysis with Load Cases" className="w-full h-96 rounded-xl" allowFullScreen allow="autoplay; fullscreen" />

<iframe src="https://fast.wistia.net/embed/iframe/4mh32oauqf?videoFoam=true" title="Beam Analysis with Load Cases video walkthrough" className="w-full h-96 rounded-xl" allowFullScreen allow="autoplay; fullscreen" />

## Available presets

Each preset opens the calculator with a typical setup already entered.

| Preset                                                        | Open in Calcs.com                                                                             |
| ------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| <span id="genericBeam" />Generic Beam                         | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=genericBeam)   |
| <span id="rafter" />Rafter                                    | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=rafter)        |
| <span id="roofBearer" />Roof Bearer                           | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=roofBearer)    |
| <span id="underpurlin" />Underpurlin                          | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=underpurlin)   |
| <span id="struttingBeam" />Strutting / Counter-Strutting Beam | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=struttingBeam) |
| <span id="verandahBeam" />Verandah Beam                       | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=verandahBeam)  |
| <span id="hangingBeam" />Hanging Beam                         | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=hangingBeam)   |
| <span id="ceilingJoist" />Ceiling Joist                       | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=ceilingJoist)  |
| <span id="roofLintel" />Roof Lintel                           | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=roofLintel)    |
| <span id="windBeam" />Wind Beam                               | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=windBeam)      |
| <span id="floorJoist" />Floor Joist                           | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=floorJoist)    |
| <span id="floorBearer" />Floor Bearer                         | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=floorBearer)   |
| <span id="floorLintel" />Floor Lintel                         | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCases?presetCode=floorLintel)   |

## Common questions

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Use the Beam Analysis Calculator" icon="calculator" href="/docs/calculators/analysis/beam-analysis/analysis">
    Get bending moment, shear force and deflection along single or multi-span beams using linear-elastic FEA. Handles cantilevers, continuous spans and mixed loads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Australia & New Zealand Calculator Library" icon="list" href="/docs/calculators/au#analysisLoadCases">
    Complete list of Calcs.com design calculators available for Australian and New Zealand projects (AS 3600, AS 4100, AS 1720, AS/NZS 1170, and related standards).
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use the Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (ASD) Calculator" icon="calculator" href="/docs/calculators/analysis/beam-analysis/analysisLoadCombosASD">
    Analyze beams to ASD load combinations per IBC 2009-2024 and ASCE 7-10 to 7-22. Enter unfactored loads for governing moment, shear and deflection.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Use the Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (LRFD) Calculator" icon="calculator" href="/docs/calculators/analysis/beam-analysis/analysisLoadCombosLRFD">
    Analyze beams to LRFD load combinations per IBC 2009-2024 and ASCE 7-10 to 7-22. Enter unfactored loads for governing factored Mu and Vu.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>