Combine dead, live, wind, snow, seismic, temperature and other structural loads using user-selected load factors for preliminary steel design calculations.
Load Combination Inputs
Enter each load effect and its corresponding user-selected factor. Positive values represent the entered load direction; negative values may be used for reversing or stabilizing effects.
Ready to calculate the selected load combination.
Factored Load Result
Combined Factored Load
—
Unfactored Load
—
sum
Factored Load
—
sum
Net Factor
—
effective
Largest Contribution
—
load
Combination
—
label
Load Combination Summary
Load Totals
Unfactored total—
Factored total—
Difference—
Effective factor—
Largest Effects
Largest unfactored load—
Largest factored contribution—
Largest load type—
Combination label—
Detailed Load Combination
Load
Unfactored
Factor
Factored Contribution
% of Factored Total
Load Combination Formula
Each load is multiplied by its selected factor and the resulting contributions are added together.
Where D is dead load, L is live load, R is roof live load, W is wind load, S is snow load, E is seismic load, T is temperature load and O represents another user-defined load.
Effective Load Factor
The effective factor compares the total factored load with the total entered unfactored load.
Effective Factor = Factored Total ÷ Unfactored Total
This value is only a summary of the selected inputs. It does not represent a code-required load factor.
How to Use the Calculator
Enter the magnitude of each applicable load.
Enter the factor selected for each load.
Set unused load types to zero.
Use negative load values when the load direction is opposite to the chosen positive direction.
Press Calculate Load Combination.
Review the individual factored contributions in the detailed table.
The calculator performs arithmetic using the factors entered by the user. It does not automatically select a governing code combination.
Important Limitations
This is a preliminary structural load-combination calculator.
It does not determine which load combinations are required by a building code.
It does not automatically apply ASCE, AISC, Eurocode, IS, BS or other code-specific combinations.
It does not apply load-duration, resistance or reliability factors.
It does not determine load directions automatically.
It does not combine separate axial, shear and moment components independently.
It does not perform member strength checks.
It does not perform stability checks.
It does not design steel members or connections.
The selected factors must come from the applicable project design criteria.
Engineering warning: Use this calculator for preliminary load arithmetic only. Confirm the applicable load combinations, load factors, companion-load rules and design requirements against the governing structural standard and project criteria before using results for design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Steel Load Combination Calculator do?
It multiplies each entered load by its user-selected factor and sums the resulting contributions.
Which loads can be combined?
The calculator includes dead, live, roof live, wind, snow, seismic, temperature and one user-defined load category.
Can I use negative loads?
Yes. Negative values can represent a load acting in the opposite direction to the selected positive convention.
Can I choose my own load factors?
Yes. Every load category has an independent factor input.
Does it automatically select the governing load combination?
No. The user must determine the applicable combination and enter the corresponding factors.
Can it be used for final structural design?
It should be treated as a preliminary calculation tool. Final design requires the applicable code-specific combinations and complete structural analysis.