Steel Beam (ASD, AISC 360-16)
Beam reactions link to the columns and footings below, so load changes propagate downstream automatically. Design steel beams to AISC 360-16 ASD with multiple supports and loads - floor- and roof-beam presets cut repetitive data entry for common configurations. For new work, use the AISC 360-22 ASD version.
14-day free trial - no credit card required
What it calculates
Beam reactions link to the columns and footings below, so load changes propagate downstream automatically. Design steel beams to AISC 360-16 ASD with multiple supports and loads. Floor- and roof-beam presets cut repetitive entry.
Code standards
- AISC 360-16 (ASD)
How it calculates
The Steel Beam (ASD, AISC 360-16) calculator designs steel beams using Allowable Stress Design provisions per AISC 360-16. Demands are compared to allowable capacities using the ASD safety factor Omega - not factored load combinations. Checks cover section classification, flexure, shear, and deflection.
Structural analysis
The beam is modelled as a 1D Euler-Bernoulli beam element. A finite element engine solves for moment, shear, reactions, and deflections under each load combination. Multiple load types are supported: distributed loads, line loads, point loads, and moment loads. ASD load combinations per ASCE 7/IBC are applied automatically.
Section classification (AISC 360-16, B4)
Flange and web slenderness ratios are compared to the compact and non-compact limits (lambda_p and lambda_r) for the selected section. This determines whether the section is compact, non-compact, or slender, which governs the flexural capacity calculation path.
Flexural capacity (AISC 360-16, Chapter F)
Allowable bending moment strength M_n/Omega is the lesser of the yielding limit and the lateral-torsional buckling (LTB) limit:
- Yielding: M_n = M_p = F_y × Z_x
- LTB: M_n based on the unbraced length L_b relative to L_p and L_r, using moment gradient factor C_b
utilization = M_a / (M_n / Omega_b) ≤ 1.0
Positive and negative bending are checked separately, since many sections have asymmetric capacity about their weak axis (WT, ST, MT, 2L, L sections in particular).
Shear capacity (AISC 360-16, Chapter G)
Web shear capacity accounts for shear yielding and, for slender webs, shear buckling:
utilization = V_a / (V_n / Omega_v) ≤ 1.0
Deflection checks
Three deflection limits are tracked:
- Instantaneous (live + other) deflection - checked against L/span criterion (default L/360) or an absolute limit
- Long-term deflection - checked against the long-term span criterion
- Simplified DL+(LL or SL) deflection - for floor systems, checked against the combined criterion
Each deflection limit and governing load case is reported individually.
Assumptions
Axial load is assumed negligible. Members are straight and prismatic (not tapered). Inclined beams are supported but axial force is not checked and must be verified separately by the engineer.
What engineers say
Calcs.com simplified my beam analysis. It made structural checks easy and impressively fast. I first heard about Calcs.com while looking for alternatives to StruCalc, checked out a few options, and went with Calcs.com for simple residential...
Aaron D. Obermiller, P.E.
Engineer, REO Engineering
The wood and steel beam calculators are delightful. I especially like selecting the wood species for my beam and Calcs.com automatically loading all of the relevant material properties so I don't need to look them up in the NDS.
John Cagle
Project Engineer, CHM Engineering
Frequently asked questions
What design method and standard does this calculator follow?
What are the key inputs?
What does the calculator check and output?
Can I use this for composite steel beams?
How should I set up deflection limits for floor beams versus roof beams?
Does this calculator support load linking with column and footing calculations?
Access this calculator and 100+ more
All verified, standards-aligned. Start a free trial - no credit card required.