Combination generator (ASCE 7)

Note: The following are not considered in Combination Generator:

Construction Stage combinations - these must be created manually.
Temperature and settlement loadcase types - these must be added manually.

Open the Combination Generator

On the Load tab, click Combination.

The Loading dialog box opens on the Combinations page. On this page, you can see all currently existing load combinations.
Click Generate...

The Combination Generator dialog box opens.

Initial Parameters page

On the Initial Parameters page, specify the initial parameters according to your needs.

You can choose to delete all the existing combinations or to replace only those combinations with the same names as those generated by this run.

Note: The Combination Generator automatically names each combination according to its content. You can add a 'Scenario' prefix in front of the generated names or leave 'Scenario' blank if no prefix is required. By entering a 'Scenario' and selecting ‘Replace only combinations generated by this run’ you can re-run the Combination Generator to rapidly generate additional combinations for alternative scenarios, (such as erection, or operating).
Click Next.

Combinations page

This page lists lists suggested ASD and LRFD combinations (with appropriate factors).

Use the ‘Generate’ box to control which combinations are to be generated.
Should you require, you can also adjust the default strength factors applied in each generated combination.

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

Service page

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

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

NL (global imperfections) page

This page is used to set up the notional loads specified in Home > Model Settings > NL (Global Imperfections). You can specify NLs and factors in each of four directions. For each direction selected a separate NL combination will be generated.

Any combination with wind in is automatically greyed.

Use the ‘Dir’ boxes to specify the directions in which the NLs are to be applied.
Should you require, you can also adjust the default factors applied in each direction.
Click Next.

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.)

Use the ‘Dir’ boxes to specify the directions in which the minimum lateral loads are to be applied.
Use the droplist 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.
Should you require, you can also adjust the default factors applied in each direction.
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).