The actual loads will be less than the failure loads by a factor of safety known as the load

factor. Load factor incorporates both the likelihood of the loads occurring simultaneously
at their maximum levels and the margin against which failure of the structure is
measured.
The design strength is obtained by reducing the nominal strength by a factor that accounts
for the many variables that impact the determination of member strength is called
resistance factor.

a resistance factor, usually less than 1.0, is multiplied by the nominal strength of a
member
Generally, load combination is composed of individual loads, i.e. dead load superimposed dead
loads and live loads that are combined together to come up for a strength design and allowable
stress design