Combination of load

• Must determined which combination is the most critical for the structure.
• Is discussed in clause 6.4.3 of EN 1990 (Combination of actions –fatigue
verifications exclude)
• a different and more logical method of combining loads is used in EC3 limit
state method.
• Strength design is usually carried out for the most severe combination of
action for normal ( termed persistent) or temporary (termed transition)
conditions using

is 0.925 from NA 2.2.3.2

Recommended value of  factors for buildings (Table A.1.1 of EN1990)
• Approach is applied to the following forms of Ultimate limit state;
EQU = loss of static equilibrium of the structure of any part of it
STR = failure by excessive deformation, transformation of the
structure or any part of it into a mechanism, rupture or loss
of stability of the structure or any part of it
GEO = failure of excessive deformation of the ground
FAT = fatigue failure
• For the most common set of design situation is given in Table below

Ultimate limit Permanent actions G Variable actions Q

state
Unfavourable Favourable Leading or main Accompanying
Q,1 Q,i
EQU 1.1 0.9 1.5 1.5
STR/GEO 1.35 1.0 1.5 1.5
• Favourable and unfavourable loading
– Refer to the effect of the actions on the design situation under
consideration.
– Loads may be considered as ‘favourable’ or unfavourable’ in any load
combination, depending on whether they increase or reduce the
effects such as bending moment, axial force ect. in the structural
members.
• Leading variable action, Qk1
– The leading variable action is the one that leads to the most
unfavourable effect (i.e. the critical combination). In Equation 6.10,
the full value of the leading variable action is applied (i.e. 1.5 ×
characteristic imposed load)
 Example

A roof has the following loads applied;

Permanent load, Gk = 1.0 kN/m2
Variable actions, Qk = 0.5 kN/m2
Wind load;
Wuplift = 1.25 kN/m2
W download = 0.4 kN/m2
Snow S = 0.6 kN/m2

Determine the most critical combination load

The negative sign indicates that the wind load acts in
the opposite sense to the permanent load
ii. Equation 6.10
iii. Equation 6.10b
 Analysis of steel structure

• Requires a knowledge of the stiffness and strength of the structure under

load
• Basic knowledge of the material behaviour
• Method of structural analysis
– Distribution of forces and moments
– Static equilibrium
– Geometric compatibility between the members at the joints
– Either in statically determinate or statically indeterminate