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Load Combination and Strength Design per ASCE 7-16 §2.3

ASCE 7-16 LRFD and ASD Load Combinations Symbols in ideCAD Structural Software for ASCE 7-16

D = Dead load
Em = Combined applied design force on the horizontal and vertical seismic load effects
Emh= The effect of horizontal seismic forces, including overstrength
L = Live load
Lr = roof live load
S = snow load
W = Wind load
Eh = Horizontal seismic load effect
Ev = Vertical seismic load effect


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LOAD COMBINATIONS FOR STRENGTH DESIGN (Reinforced Concrete, LRFD) in ideCAD Structural Software for ASCE 7-16

Basic Combinations

Basic load combinations used for the strength design are given below.

  • 1.4D

  • 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5(Lr or S)

  • 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S) + (L or 0.5W)

  • 1.2D + 1.0W + L + 0.5(Lr or S)

  • 0.9D + 1.0W

Basic Combinations with Seismic Load Effects

E = f (Ev; Eh) (defined in Section 12.4.2 or 12.4.3.1) is combined with the effects of other loads, according to ASCE 7-16 Section 2.3.1, basic combinations below are considered.

  • 1.2D + Ev + Eh + L + 0.2S

  • 0.9D - Ev + Eh

Where the seismic load effect with overstrength, Em = f(Ev; Emh), defined in Section 12.4.3, is combined with the effects of other loads, the following seismic load combination for structures is applied:

  • 1.2D + Ev + Emh + L + 0.2S

  • 0.9D - Ev + Emh

The principal loads in the load combinations are identified in Table C2.3-1.

Load combination requirements in Section 2.3 apply only to strength limit states. Appendix C of ASCE 7-16 covers serviceability limit states and associated load factors.

  • 1.4D

  • 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5(Lr or S)

  • 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S) + (L or 0.5W)

  • 1.2D + 1.0W + L + 0.5(Lr or S)

  • 0.9D + 1.0W

  • 1.2D + Ev + Eh + L + 0.2S

  • 0.9D - Ev + Eh


LOAD COMBINATIONS FOR ALLOWABLE STRESS DESIGN - (ASD) in ideCAD Structural Software for ASCE 7-16

Basic Combinations

Basic load combinations used for the strength design are given below.

  • D

  • D + L

  • D + (Lr or S)

  • D + 0.75L + 0.75(Lr or S)

  • D + 0.6W

  • D + 0.75L + 0.75(0.6W) + 0.75(Lr or S)

  • 0.6D + 0.6W

Basic Combinations with Seismic Load Effects

When a structure is subject to seismic load effects, the following load combinations are applied in addition to the basic combinations and associated Exceptions in Section 2.4.1. E =f(Ev; Eh) (defined in Section 12.4.2) is combined with the effects of other loads; the following seismic load combinations are applied.

  • 1.0D + 0.7Ev + 0.7Eh

  • 1.0D + 0.525Ev + 0.525Eh + 0.75L + 0.75S

  • 0.6D - 0.7Ev + 0.7Eh

Where the seismic load effect with overstrength, Em = f(Ev; Emh), defined in Section 12.4.3, is combined with the impact of other loads.

  • 1.0D + 0.7Ev + 0.7Emh

  • 1.0D + 0.525Ev + 0.525Emh + 0.75L + 0.75S

  • 0.6D - 0.7Ev + 0.7Emh



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