United StatesIBC 2009-2024IRC 2009-2024ASCE 7-10 - 7-22
Enter unfactored loads and the calculator generates all governing LRFD combinations per IBC/ASCE 7, then runs FEA to produce factored demands for strength-level checks. Identify the governing combination instantly without manual load factor work.
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 LRFD Beam Analysis calculator passes all typed loads through the FEA solver against all ASCE 7 LRFD strength combinations, returning envelope factored demands for each result type.Load input and combination generation
Loads are entered by type: D, L, Lr, S, R, W,dn, W,up, Ev, and Eh. The calculator applies LRFD strength-level factors from ASCE 7 Section 2.3 to each load type and generates 16 strength combinations. For example:- 1.4D
- 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5Lr (or S or R)
- 1.2D + 1.6S + f1·L + 0.5Lr
- 1.2D + 1.0W,dn + f1·L + 0.5Lr
- 0.9D + 1.0W,up
- 0.9D, 1.0Ev + 1.0Eh
Strength envelope
The FEA solver runs each combination and envelopes to find:- Mu+ = max factored positive moment across all strength combinations
- Mu- = max factored negative moment (hogging)
- Vu = max factored |shear|
- Max factored reaction at any support
Serviceability demands
Service-level deflections are tracked separately under unfactored or partially factored service combinations: short-term (live/snow/wind), long-term (D + L + Lr with creep), and simplified DL+(LL or SL). Deflection span ratios are reported. The calculator does not perform member capacity checks, it delivers LRFD factored demands for direct use in steel, concrete, or CFS design calculators. If you are choosing between design methods, see how ASD and LRFD compare in structural design. It covers which member design calculators expect which demands.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 LRFD Beam Analysis calculator use?
What load combinations does the LRFD Beam Analysis calculator use?
All LRFD strength combinations from ASCE 7-10 through 7-22, Section 2.3. The standard set includes 1.4D, 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5Lr, 1.2D + 1.6S + f1·L, 1.2D + 1.0W,dn + f1·L + 0.5Lr, 0.9D + 1.0W,up, and seismic combinations such as 0.9D, 1.0Ev + 1.0Eh. The companion live load factor f1 is 1.0 or the LLR-reduced value.
What are the key inputs?
What are the key inputs?
Beam geometry and support configuration, plus unfactored load magnitudes by type, dead (D), live floor (L), roof live (Lr), snow (S), rain (R), wind (W), and seismic (Ev, Eh). Distributed loads are entered as area intensities (psf) with a tributary width; point loads are entered in kips.
What results does it output?
What results does it output?
Governing factored positive moment Mu+ and negative moment Mu- (kip·ft), governing factored shear Vu (kip), maximum factored reaction (kip), and three serviceability deflection demands: short-term, long-term, and simplified DL+(LL or SL). A full combination table shows which combination governs each result.
What is the difference between this calculator and the ASD version?
What is the difference between this calculator and the ASD version?
LRFD combinations (ASCE 7 Section 2.3) apply strength-level load factors (1.2D, 1.6L, etc.) to produce ultimate factored demands Mu and Vu, which are compared to reduced nominal capacities φMn and φVn. ASD combinations (Section 2.4) produce lower combined demand values for comparison against allowable capacities. Choose LRFD when your member design calculator (steel, concrete, CFS) uses LRFD.
Does the calculator support live load reduction?
Does the calculator support live load reduction?
Yes, live load reduction per ASCE 7-16 Cl 4.7 is an optional toggle. The companion live load factor f1 is automatically adjusted to the LLR-reduced value when enabled.
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 LRFD combination link directly to connected column or footing calculations in the same project. Change any unfactored load and all linked calculations update automatically, no manual reaction re-entry.
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 (ASD) Calculator
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.