Load Linking

Load linking in structural calculations

Load reactions propagate automatically between connected structural members. Change a load once and every connected calculation updates.

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The problem

Why you're wasting time copy-pasting loads

Most engineers handle this the same way you link data between Excel sheets: manually. Analyze the beam, write down the reactions, re-enter them in the column. Analyze the column, copy those reactions to the footing. When the upstream load changes, that process runs again from the top - and there is no flag when a downstream calculation has been left on the wrong number.

How it works

01
01
Reactions transfer automatically
Define a load at any point in a structural system. When that member's reaction is needed by a connected member, Calcs.com reads it directly. No copy-paste, no manual re-entry.
02
02
Changes propagate through the chain
Update a roof load and the beam reaction, column load, and footing design all update. The dependency chain is visible - you can see which calculations share a load source.
03
03
Every transfer is traceable
The audit trail shows where each load came from and when it last updated. Reviewers can follow the chain from the applied load to every downstream calculation.

Standards supported

AS/NZS 1170.1AS/NZS 1170.3ASCE 7Eurocode 1

What engineers say

Just the simple feature of being able to link loads is a really big time-saver.

Sam Hensler

Principal

The biggest thing I noticed about Calcs.com that made me a believer was the load linking. That was a game-changer.

Matt Ward

Principal Engineer

The reason why I use Calcs.com more often now is load linking.

Richard Faulkner

Senior Structural Engineer

Frequently asked questions

Which calculators support load linking?▾

Load linking is available in Calcs.com's beam, column, wall, and footing calculators for structural steel and timber members. The feature is active whenever a member's reaction can feed another member's loading input.

Does load linking work across different load types?▾

Yes. Dead loads, live loads, wind, and seismic reactions can all be linked. Each load case is tracked separately through the chain so combinations remain traceable.

What happens when an upstream calculation changes?▾

Downstream calculations that depend on the changed load are flagged for review. Calcs.com shows which calculations are affected so you can confirm the updates before finalizing.

Works with these calculators

Steel Beam→Timber Member (Design Only)→Steel Column→Portal Frame Analysis Wizard→

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