A guide to Load Combinations for NBCC 2010
In Canada, the NBCC 2010 sets out technical provisions for the design and construction of new buildings. For the purposes of load combinations, Part 4 of the design code provides specifications 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 safety (e.g. capacity, overturning, sliding, fracture), whereas SLS is concerned with inhibited intended use and occupancy of the building (e.g. cracking, deformation, vibration).
ULS involves five basic load combination cases.
This article will focus on how SkyCiv’s auto-generated load combinations feature meets the load combination equations as specified in NBCC 2010 for ULS.
4.1.3.2 Limit States Design: Strength and Stability
| Design Code Equation | Design Code Comment | SkyCiv Equation | SkyCiv Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principal Loads: 1.4D | Table 4.1.3.2.A – Case 1 | 1.4G | – |
| Principal Loads: (1.25D or 0.9D) + 1.5L Companion Loads: 0.5S or 0.4W |
Table 4.1.3.2.A – Case 2 | γuG + 1.5QL γuG + 1.5QL + 0.5QS γuG + 1.5QL + 0.4QW |
Since there is an “or” in the companion load, when considering no companion load as an option, a total of 3 equations are generated. SkyCiv represents this with 3 load combinations. The factor for the dead load may be either 1.25 (unfavorable) or 0.9 (favorable). SkyCiv offers you the option to assign your load groups to the “Dead: unfavorable” or “Dead: favorable” load types which will apply the factors accordingly. Each SkyCiv load combination here will only generate one equation. |
| Principal Loads: (1.25D or 0.9D) + 1.5S Companion Loads: 0.5L or 0.4W |
Table 4.1.3.2.A – Case 3 | γuG + 1.5QS γuG + 1.5QS + 0.5QL γuG + 1.5QS + 0.4QW |
As above. |
| Principal Loads: (1.25D or 0.9D) + 1.4W Companion Loads: 0.5L or 0.5S |
Table 4.1.3.2.A – Case 4 | γuG + 1.4QW γuG + 1.4QW + 0.5QL γuG + 1.4QW + 0.5QS |
As above. |
| Principal Loads: 1.0D + 1.0E Companion Loads: 0.5L + 0.25S |
Table 4.1.3.2.A – Case 5 | G + E G + E + 0.5QL + 0.25QS |
This case generates 2 equations when considering the principal loads alone, or the principal loads and companion loads together. SkyCiv represents these by two separate equations. |
Example: All Load Types Assigned
Whilst not practical, 6 load groups have been created and assigned to all 6 load types as seen below. This is done to check the equations that are formed from the load combinations
The results from the datasheet are shown below.
