ACI 318-02 default load combinations
This section provides information on the default load combinations (technically, loading combinations) that RAM Concept creates when you start a new ACI 318-02 file. The purpose and origin of each load combination are given. You can remove or modify any of these load combinations. You can also add load combinations. The load combinations are from ACI 318-02 / IBC 2003, unless noted otherwise.
The load and strength reduction factors changed significantly in the ACI 318-02 code. In general, the load factors were reduced and are now in agreement with the strength design of other materials. The strength reduction factors were generally reduced in order to provide similar design results as the previous code (ACI 318-99).
RAM Concept uses loading types to determine the appropriate factors in some load combinations. The factor on "L" in ACI 318-02 equations (9-3), (9-4), and (9-5) will be equal to 0.5 for Live (Reducible) Loading, 1.0 for Live (Unreducible) Loading, 1.0 for Live (Storage) Loading, and 1.0 for Live (Parking) Loading.