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Combination generator (Eurocode)

Modified: 24 Jun 2026 Tekla Structural Designer 2026

Combination generator (Eurocode)

Note: The following are not considered in the Combination Generator
  • Construction Stage combinations - these must be created manually.
  • Settlement loadcase types - these must be added manually.

Open the Combination Generator

  1. On the Load ribbon, click Combination

    The Loading dialog box opens on the Combinations page.

    On this page, you can see all currently existing load combinations.

  2. Click Generate...

    The Combination Generator dialog box opens on the Initial Parameters page.

Initial Parameters page

On this page you define the parameters required to ensure the creation of correct combinations.

  • Combination for design of structural members (STR)

    You can choose between the following options:

    • Table A1.2(B) - Eq 6.10, or
    • Table A1.2(B) - Eq 6.10,a&b

    Eq 6.10 is always equally or more conservative than either Eq 6.10a or Eq 6.10b. The most economical combination between Eq 6.10a and Eq 6.10b depends on whether permanent actions exceed 4.5 times the variable actions (excluding storage loads).

  • Include EQU combinations - Table A1.2(A) - Eq 6.10

    Select this option to generate an EQU (static equilibrium) combination.

    Use this combination to verify structural equilibrium and to design steel members, concrete beams, columns, and walls.

    By default, the EQU combination is not included.

  • Include GEO combinations - Table A1.2(C) - Eq 6.10

    Select this option to create the GEO combinations required for foundation design.

  • Include Accidental combinations - Table A2.5 Eq 6.11a&b

    If you have defined an accidental load type, such as snow drift, you should select this option to generate the correct load combinations.

  • Include Seismic combinations - Table A2.5 Eq 6.12a&b

    If you have defined seismic loads, you should select this option to generate the correct load combinations.

  • Delete/Replace combinations

    If combinations already exist, you can either delete them, or replace only the ones that have the same names as those generated during this run.

  • Scenario

    The Combination Generator automatically names each combination according to its content.

    You can add a Scenario prefix before the generated names or leave the Scenario field blank if a prefix is not required.

    By entering a Scenario and selecting the Replace only combinations generated by this run option, you can re-run the Combination Generator to quickly generate additional combinations for alternative scenarios, such as 'Erection' or 'Operating'.

To move to the next page

  1. Specify the above parameters as required.
  2. Click Next.

Combinations page

This page lists the combinations applicable (with appropriate factors) for the table selections made on the first page. Any factors in bold will be multiplied by the relevant psi factors for that loadcase.

The default combinations created for each table are listed below. The combinations shown will only be displayed for your model provided all the loadcase types they contain have Include in Generator selected on the Loadcases page of the Loading dialog.

The combination names are generated automatically according to their content and cannot be edited at this stage.

STR Table A1.2(B) - Eq 6.10

The following combinations are defaulted if there are no temperature loads.

If temperature loads exist, extra temperature combinations are generated:

The temperature loads are also added into the original combinations as follows:

STR Table A1.2(B) - Eq 6.10a&b

Note: The default dead load factors are dependent on the National Annex. The factors shown below were generated for the UK National Annex.

The following combinations are defaulted if there are no temperature loads.

If temperature loads exist, extra temperature combinations are generated:

The temperature loads are also added into the original combinations as follows:

EQU combinations - Table A1.2(A) - Eq 6.10

The following combinations are defaulted.

GEO combinations - Table A1.2(C) - Eq 6.10

The following combinations are defaulted.

Accidental combinations - Table A1.3 - Eq 6.11a&b

The following combinations are defaulted.

Seismic combinations - Table A1.3 - Eq 6.12a&b

The following combinations are defaulted.

Note:

If minimum lateral loads have been specified via Home > Model Settings > Minimum Lateral Loads, extra combinations will be created in addition to those listed above to allow the MLLs to be configured on a later page.

To move to the next page

  1. Use the Generate box to control which combinations are to be generated.
  2. Should you require, you can also adjust the default strength factors applied in each generated combination.
  3. Click Next.

Service page

This page indicates which combinations are to be checked for serviceability and the factors applied.

To move to the next page

  1. Should you require, you can also adjust the default factors applied in each generated combination.
  2. Click Next.

Wind/EHF directions page

This page allows you to reduce the number of combinations generated automatically when EHF forces are applied to load combinations with wind. You are able to set any combination of EHF to act with a particular wind load case

By default (on first entry), none are set for any wind load case. You are required to set the directions and factors here as appropriate to be used when generating the combinations.

To move to the next page

  1. Use the Dir boxes to specify the directions as appropriate.
  2. Should you require, you can also adjust the default factors applied in each direction.
  3. Click Next.

EHF (Global Imperfections) page

This page allows you to apply the EHFs specified in Home > Model Settings > EHF (Global Imperfections) for specific combinations.

You can specify EHFs and factors in each of four directions. For each direction selected, a separate NHF combination will be generated.

Any combination with wind in is automatically greyed as all the required information has already been set via the previous page.

To move to the next page

  1. Use the Dir boxes to specify the directions in which the global imperfections are to be applied.
  2. Should you require, you can also adjust the default factors applied in each direction.
  3. Click Next, or, if MLLs haven't been requested, click Finish.

Minimum Lateral Loads page

If minimum lateral loads have been specified via Home > Model Settings > Minimum Lateral Loads, this page allows you to apply them. (If set to None this page is not displayed.)

To specify MLLs and generate the combinations

  1. Use the Dir boxes to specify the directions in which the minimum lateral loads are to be applied.
  2. Use the list at the top of the page to select the gravity combination from which the minimum lateral load values are to be calculated.
    Note: The combination used for calculating the MLLs can be different to the one to which the MLLs are applied.
  3. Should you require, you can also adjust the default factors applied in each direction.

  4. Click Finish.

    The Combination Generator closes and you are returned to the Combinations page of the Loading dialog box. The combinations selected in this run of the generator either add to or replace any existing combinations (according to your selection on the Initial Parameters page).

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