Design Load Combinations

After establishing the design loads of the proposed project, the next thing to consider is to
determine the appropriate design load combinations. 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. By the
ASCE7-10 (section 1.2.1) code definition, strength design is the product of the nominal
strength and a resistance factor while the allowable stress design is composed of computed
forces produced in the member by factored loads that shall not exceed the member design
strength.
Each design code and standards had a different recommendation when it comes to loading
combinations. In this article, we will emphasize the design load combinations as
recommended by ASCE7-10 for basic design load combinations with the touch of UBC97
seismic load combinations. Let us bear in mind that the use of design load and load
combinations is depending on the approved code and standards authorize by your local
authority having jurisdiction.

Before we proceed into the lists of load combinations, let us take a look at the following
symbols used:

 Ak= load or load effect arising from extraordinary event A

 D= dead load
 Dt= weight of ice
 E= Earthquake Load
 H= lateral earth pressure load
 L= live load
 Lr= roof live load
 R= rain load
 S= Snow load
 T=self-straining load
 W= wind load
 Wi= wind on ice
LOAD COMBINATIONS according to ASCE7-10
According to ASCE7-10 section 2.3.2, buildings and other structures, components, and
foundation shall be designed so that their design strength equals or exceeds the effects of
the factored loads in the following combinations. These are also known as ultimate load
combinations:

 1.4D
 1.2D + 1.6L + 0.5(Lr or S or R)
 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S or R) + (L or 0.5W)
 1.2D + 1.0W + L+0.5(Lr or S or R)
 1.2D + 1.0E + L +0.2S
 0.9D + 1.0W
 0.9D + 1.0E
*Usually, D can be taken as the dead load in addition to the superimposed dead load
(D+SDL) and we can omit the loads that we are not using. Like for example, if we don’t
have a snow load on our area, of course, it is acceptable not to consider it in our load
combinations.

According to ASCE7-10 section, 2.4 combining nominal loads using allowable stress design
are as follows. This is also known as service load combinations.

D
D + L
 D + (Lr or S or R)
 D + 0.75L + 0.75 (Lr or S or R)
 D + (0.6W or 0.7E)
 D+ 0.75L + 0.75(0.6W) + 0.75(Lr or S or R)
 D+ 0.75L + 0.75(0.7E) + 0.75S
 0.6D + 0.6W
 0.6D + 0.7E

LOAD COMBINATIONS according to UBC-97

According to UBC-97 section 1612 (1612.2.2.1) Basic Load Combinations is as follows
where strength design is used, structures and all portions thereof shall resist the most
critical effects from the following factored load combinations or the ultimate load
combinations:

 1.4D                                                        : (12-1)
 1.2D + 1.6L +0.5 (Lr or S)                       : (12-2)
 1.2D +1.6 (Lr or S) + (f1L or 0.8W)         : (12-3)
 1.2 D + 1.3W + f1L + 0.5 (Lr or S)           : (12-4)
 1.2 D + 1.0E + (f1L + f2S)                        : (12-5)
 0.9D ± (1.0E or 1.3W)                              : (12-6)

where:

f1= 1.0 for floors in places of public assembly, for live load in excess of 100 psf (4.9kN/m2),
and for garage live load.

= 0.5 for other live loads

f2= 0.7 for roof configurations (such as saw tooth) that do not shed off the structure)

= 0.2 for other roof configurations.

When allowable stress design (working stress design) is used, the following are the load
combination to consider. This is also known as service load combinations.

 D                                                             : (12-7)
 D + L + (Lr or S)                                      : (12-8)
 D + (W or E/1.4)                                      :(12-9)
 0.9D ± E/1.4                                               :(12-10)
  D + 0.75 [L+ (Lr or S) + (W or E/1.4)]      :(12-11)
Special Seismic Load Combinations has to consider as well for both allowable stress design
and strength design in accordance to UBC-97 section 1612.4 as follows:

 1.2D + f1L + 1.0Em :(12-17)

 0.9D ± 1.0Em :(12-18)
Earthquake Loads and Modelling Requirements:
In accordance with UBC-97 Section 1630 (1630.1.1) Structures shall be designed for
ground motion producing the structural response and seismic forces in any horizontal
direction. The following earthquake loads shall be used in the load combinations set forth in
section 1612.

E = ρEh +Ev                : (30-1)

Em = ΩoEh                   : (30-1)
where:

ρ = Redundancy factor, usually taken as 1.0 and by the formula:

Eh=the earthquake load due to base shear, V.

Ev= ±0.5CaID to the dead load effect, D, for Strength Design, and may be taken as zero for
Allowable Stress Design
Ωo= seismic amplication factor as specified on TABLE 16-N below:
Wind Drift Load Combinations
Wind drift can be check as per load combinations specified in the ASCE7-10 commentary
(CC-3) as:

1.0D + 0.5L + 0.7W

The above load combinations are based on ASCE7-10 and UBC-97. The IBC code has also
a recommended load and load combinations, grab your copy here.  The uses of these
codes are depending on the approved standard set by the authority having the jurisdiction in
your location.