> ## 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 LRFD Load Combinations (ASCE 7)

> 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.

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    <div className="calc-details-chips"><span className="calc-chip calc-chip--region">United States</span><span className="calc-chip calc-chip--primary">IBC 2009-2024</span><span className="calc-chip">IRC 2009-2024</span><span className="calc-chip">ASCE 7-10 - 7-22</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 Combinations (LRFD)</p><a className="calc-details-run" href="https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD">Run the calc</a></div>
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  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.
</div>

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

| Property         | Detail                                                                                                             |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Design standards | IBC 2009-2024, IRC 2009-2024, ASCE 7-10 - 7-22                                                                     |
| Regions          | United States                                                                                                      |
| Presets          | Generic Beam, Floor Joist, Floor Girder, Ceiling Joist, Hip / Valley, Rafter, Roof Girder, Roof Header, and 1 more |
| What it checks   | Load input and combination generation, Strength envelope, Serviceability demands                                   |

#### 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**

The companion factor f1 on live load is 1.0 for most occupancies, reduced when LLR is enabled.

##### 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

The governing combination label is reported alongside each demand.

##### 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](https://calcs.com/blog/asd-vs-lrfd-calculations-in-structural-design). It covers which member design calculators expect which demands.

## 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 Combinations (LRFD)" 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 Combinations (LRFD) 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/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=genericBeam)  |
| <span id="floorJoist" />Floor Joist     | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=floorJoist)   |
| <span id="floorGirder" />Floor Girder   | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=floorGirder)  |
| <span id="ceilingJoist" />Ceiling Joist | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=ceilingJoist) |
| <span id="hipValley" />Hip / Valley     | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=hipValley)    |
| <span id="rafter" />Rafter              | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=rafter)       |
| <span id="roofGirder" />Roof Girder     | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=roofGirder)   |
| <span id="roofHeader" />Roof Header     | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=roofHeader)   |
| <span id="floorHeader" />Floor Header   | [Run with preset](https://app.calcs.com/new/sheet/analysisLoadCombosLRFD?presetCode=floorHeader)  |

## Common questions

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

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="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.
  </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="United States Calculator Library" icon="list" href="/docs/calculators/us#analysisLoadCombosLRFD">
    Complete list of Calcs.com design calculators available for United States projects (AISC, ACI, NDS, ASCE 7, IBC, 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>
</CardGroup>