EN 1990:2002 Load Combinations
A guide to Eurocode Load Combinations: EN 1990:2002
The Eurocodes are a set of standards for how structural design should be conducted
within the European Union. EN 1990:2002 (ECO) sets out the basis of structural
design whereas EN 1991 (EC1) specifies the actions on structures. In conjunction,
these two documents provide a methodology for the combination of actions (load
combinations) for limit states design. In general terms, limit states are the conditions
that result in the building ceasing to meet its function that it was designed for.
Limit states are categorized as being an ultimate limit state (ULS) or serviceability
limit state (SLS). ULS is concerned with the safety of people and/or safety of
structure (e.g. capacity, overturning, sliding, fracture). SLS is concerned with
inhibited intended use, the comfort of people, and appearance of construction
works (e.g. cracking, deformation).
The following Ultimate Limit States need to be verified:
EQU – Loss of equilibrium.
STR – Internal failure of the structure.
GEO – Failure or excessive deformation of the ground.
This article will focus on how SkyCiv’s auto-generated load combinations feature
meets the load combination equations as specified in EN 1990:2002.
Table A1.2(A) – Design values of actions (EQU)(Set A)
The following assumptions are made:
There is low variability in Gk and therefore that Gk,sup, and Gk,inf need not be
used.
The single-source principle for permanent loads does not apply to EQU. This
means load combinations allow some permanent actions to be favorable, and
others to be unfavorable.
Variable actions include imposed loads, snow loads, wind loads, and
temperature (non-fire) loads.
PERMANENT PERMANENT LEADING
ACTIONS ACTIONS VARIABL ACCOMPANYIN
(UNFAVOURABL (FAVOURABL E G VARIABLE
E) E) ACTION ACTIONS
1.10Gk,j 0.90Gk,j 1.5Qk,1 (0 1.5ψ0,iQk,1 (0
when when
favorabl favourable)
e)
SkyCiv’s Implementation
SKYCIV’S
EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
0.9G ULS: EQU (Favourable). All dead (G) load types will
be given a 0.9 factor as this load combination is
specifically for “favorable” conditions.
γGjG + 1.5QL + ULS: EQU (Favourable/Unfavourable). Leading
1.5ψ0,1QS + variable: Imposed loads QL. You may assign your
0.75QW + permanent load groups as “Dead: Unfavourable”
0.9QT (with factor 1.10) or “Dead: Favourable” (with factor
0.9) load types.
γGjG + 1.5QS + ULS: EQU (Favourable/Unfavourable). Leading
1.5ψ0,1QL + variable: Snow loads QS. You may assign your
0.75QW + permanent load groups as “Dead: Unfavourable”
0.9QT (with factor 1.10) or “Dead: Favourable” (with factor
0.9) load types.
γGjG + ULS: EQU (Favourable/Unfavourable). Leading
SKYCIV’S
EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
1.5QW + variable: Wind loads QW. You may assign your
1.5ψ0,1QL + permanent load groups as “Dead: Unfavourable”
1.5ψ0,1QS + (with factor 1.10) or “Dead: Favourable” (with factor
0.9QT 0.9) load types.
γGjG + 1.5QT + ULS: EQU (Favourable/Unfavourable). Leading
1.5ψ0,1QL + variable: Temperature loads QT. You may assign
1.5ψ0,1QS + your permanent load groups as “Dead:
0.75QW Unfavourable” (with factor 1.10) or “Dead:
Favourable” (with factor 0.9) load types.
Table A1.2(B) – Design values of actions (STR/GEO)(Set B)
The following assumptions are made:
There is low variability in Gk and therefore that Gk,sup and Gk,inf need not be
used.
The single source principle for permanent loads applies in this case. This
means load combinations with permanent actions will all be multiplied by the
same factor (unfavorable or favorable).
Foundations are not considered.
Variable actions include imposed loads, snow loads, wind loads, and
temperature (non-fire) loads.
PERMANENT PERMANENT LEADING
ACTIONS ACTIONS VARIABL ACCOMPANYIN
(UNFAVOURABL (FAVOURABL E G VARIABLE
E) E) ACTION ACTIONS
1.35Gk,j 1.00Gk,j 1.5Qk,1 (0 1.5ψ0,iQk,1 (0
when when
favorabl favourable)
e)
SkyCiv’s Implementation
SKYCIV’S
EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
G ULS: STR (Favourable). All dead (G) load types will
be given a 1.0 factor as this load combination is
specifically for “favorable” conditions.
1.35G + 1.5QL + ULS: STR (Unfavourable). Leading variable:
1.5ψ0,1QS + Imposed loads QL. All load groups which have been
0.75QW + 0.9QT assigned as a “Dead” load type will be assigned the
“unfavorable” value (1.35) regardless of the
subtype due to the single-source principle.
1.35G + 1.5QS + ULS: STR (Unfavourable). Leading variable: Snow
1.5ψ0,1QL + loads QS. All load groups which have been assigned
0.75QW + 0.9QT as a “Dead” load type will be assigned the
“unfavorable” value (1.35) regardless of the
subtype due to the single-source principle.
SKYCIV’S
EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
1.35G + ULS: STR (Unfavourable). Leading variable: Wind
1.5QW + loads QW. All load groups which have been
1.5ψ0,1QL + assigned as a “Dead” load type will be assigned the
1.5ψ0,1QS + “unfavorable” value (1.35) regardless of the
0.9QT subtype due to the single-source principle.
1.35G + 1.5QT + ULS: STR (Unfavourable). Leading variable:
1.5ψ0,1QL + Temperature loads QT. All load groups which have
1.5ψ0,1QS + been assigned as a “Dead” load type will be
0.75QW assigned the “unfavorable” value (1.35) regardless
of the subtype due to the single-source principle.
Table A1.2(C) – Design values of actions (STR/GEO)(Set C)
The following assumptions are made:
There is low variability in Gk and therefore that Gk,sup and Gk,inf need not be
used.
Variable actions include imposed loads, snow loads, wind loads, and
temperature (non-fire) loads.
PERMANENT PERMANENT LEADING
ACTIONS ACTIONS VARIABL ACCOMPANYIN
(UNFAVOURABL (FAVOURABL E G VARIABLE
E) E) ACTION ACTIONS
1.00Gk,j 1.00Gk,j 1.3Qk,1 (0 1.3ψ0,iQk,1 (0
when when
favorabl favourable)
e)
SkyCiv’s Implementation
SKYCIV’S
EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
G ULS: GEO (Favourable). All dead (G) load types
will be given a 1.0 factor as this load
combination is specifically for “favorable”
conditions.
G + 1.3QL + ULS: GEO (Unfavourable). Leading variable:
1.3ψ0,1QS + Imposed loads QL.
0.65QW + 0.78QT
G + 1.3QS + ULS: GEO (Unfavourable). Leading variable:
1.3ψ0,1QL + Snow loads QS.
0.65QW + 0.78QT
G + 1.3QW + ULS: GEO (Unfavourable). Leading variable:
1.3ψ0,1QL + Wind loads QW.
1.3ψ0,1QS +
0.78QT
G + 1.3QT + ULS: GEO (Unfavourable). Leading variable:
1.3ψ0,1QL + Temperature loads QT.
SKYCIV’S
EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
1.3ψ0,1QS +
0.65QW
Table A1.3 – Design values of actions for use in accidental and seismic
combinations of actions
The following assumptions are made:
There is low variability in Gk and therefore that Gk,sup and Gk,inf need not be
used.
Variable actions include imposed loads, snow loads, wind loads, and
temperature (non-fire) loads.
LEADIN
G
ACCIDE
NTAL
PERMANE PERMAN OR ACCOMPAN
NT ENT SEISMI ACCOMPANYI YING
DESIGN ACTIONS ACTIONS C NG VARIABLE VARIABLE
SITUATI (UNFAVO (FAVOUR ACTIO ACTION ACTION
ON URABLE) ABLE) N (MAIN) (OTHERS)
Accident 1.00Gk,j 1.00Gk,j Ad ψ1,1 or ψ2,1Qk,1 ψ2,iQk,i
al (Eq.
6.11a/b)
Seismic 1.00Gk,j 1.00Gk,j γIAEk or – ψ2,iQk,i
(Eq. AEd
6.12a/b)
SkyCiv’s Implementation
SKYCIV’S EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
G + A + ψ1QL + ψ2,1QS ALS: ACC-a. Main accompanying variable
SKYCIV’S EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
action: Imposed loads QL
G + A + ψ1QS + ψ2,1QL ALS: ACC-a. Main accompanying variable
action: Snow loads QS
G + A + 0.2QW + ALS: ACC-a. Main accompanying variable
ψ2,1QL + ψ2,1QS action: Wind loads QW
G + A + 0.5QT + ALS: ACC-a. Main accompanying variable
ψ2,1QL + ψ2,1QS action: Temperature loads QT
G + A + ψ2,1QL + ψ2,1QS ALS: ACC-b. Main and other accompanying
variable actions equivalent
G + E + ψ2,1QL + ψ2,1QS ALS: SEI.
Table A1.4.1 – Serviceability Limit States – Partial Factors for Actions
The following assumptions are made:
There is low variability in Gk and therefore that Gk,sup and Gk,inf need not be
used.
Variable actions include imposed loads, snow loads, wind loads, and
temperature (non-fire) loads.
The serviceability criteria should be specified for each project and agreed
upon with the client.
The serviceability criteria for deformations and vibrations shall be defined
depending on the intended use, in relation to the serviceability requirements,
and independently of the materials used for the supporting structural
member.
LEADING ACCOMPANYING
PERMANENT VARIABLE VARIABLE
COMBINATION ACTIONS ACTION ACTIONS
Characteristic Gk,j Qk,1 ψ0,iQk,1
Frequent Gk,j ψ1,1Qk,1 ψ2,iQk,1
Quasi- Gk,j ψ2,1Qk,1 ψ2,iQk,i
permanent
SkyCiv’s Implementation
SKYCIV’S EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
G + QL + ψ0,1QS + SLS: Characteristic. Leading variable action:
0.5QW + 0.6QT Imposed loads QL
G + QS + ψ0,1QL + SLS: Characteristic. Leading variable action:
0.5QW + 0.6QT Snow loads QS
G + QW + ψ0,1QL + SLS: Characteristic. Leading variable action:
ψ0,1QS + 0.6QT Wind loads QW
G + QT + ψ0,1QL + SLS: Characteristic. Leading variable action:
ψ0,1QS + 0.5QW Temperature loads QT
G + ψ1QL + ψ2,1QS SLS: Frequent. Leading variable action:
Imposed loads QL
SKYCIV’S EQUATION SKYCIV’S COMMENT
G + ψ1QS + ψ2,1QL SLS: Frequent. Leading variable action: Snow
loads QS
G + 0.2QW + ψ2,1QL + SLS: Frequent. Leading variable action: Wind
ψ2,1QS loads QW
G + 0.5QT + ψ2,1QL + SLS: Frequent. Leading variable action:
ψ2,1QS Temperature loads QT
G + ψ2,1QL + ψ2,1QS SLS: Quasi-permanent.
Still stuck? How can we help?Updated on November 24, 2022
1) 1.35 G + 1.5 Q + 0.9 W
2) 1.35 G + 1.5 Q
3) G + 1.5 Q + 0.9 W
4) G + 1.5 Q
5) 1.35 G + 1.05 Q + 1.5 W
6) 1.35 G + 1.5 W
7) G + 1.05 Q + 1.5 W
8) G + 1.5 W
1. 1.35 G + 1.5* L + 1.5*0.6*W + 1.5*0.5*S
2. 1.35 G + 1.5* W + 1.5*0.7*L + 1.5*0.7*S
3. 1.35 G + 1.5* S + 1.5*0.7*L + 1.5*0.7*W
4. 1.35 G + 1.5* L + 1.5*0.7*W + 1.5*0.7*S
5.
