United StatesIBC 2009-2024IRC 2009-2024ASCE 7-10 - 7-22
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.
Quickly analyze factored loads on a simple or continuous beam with the Calcs.com Beam Analysis with Load Combinations calculator. The calculator allows unlimited loads and supports, and automatically factors loads to United States standards for fast analysis of strength and serviceability limit states.
Method & scope
Calculation method
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
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
How to use it
1
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.
2
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.
3
Review the results and export
Check the utilization of each governing check in the summary, then export a PDF report. See Views and Export.
Available presets
Each preset opens the calculator with a typical setup already entered.Common questions
What load combinations does the ASD Beam Analysis calculator use?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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?
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.
Next steps
Use the Beam Analysis Calculator
Get bending moment, shear force and deflection along single or multi-span beams using linear-elastic FEA. Handles cantilevers, continuous spans and mixed loads.
United States Calculator Library
Complete list of Calcs.com design calculators available for United States projects (AISC, ACI, NDS, ASCE 7, IBC, and related standards).
Use the Beam Analysis with Load Combinations (LRFD) Calculator
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.