Load Calculation Calculator

Calculation object

Slab characteristics

Hollow-core slab

Ribbed slab

Solid slab (cast-in-place)

Partitions on the slab

Slab length mm

Slab width mm

Partition characteristics

Partition length on the slab mm

Partition thickness mm

Partition height mm

Partition material

Characteristics of layers above the slab

Number of layers above the slab

Temporary loads

Snow load

Useful load

No.	Name	Layer thickness, mm	Density, kg/m³	Characteristic load, kg/m²	Safety factor	Design load
No.	Name	Layer thickness, mm	Density, kg/m³	Characteristic load, kg/m²	Safety factor	kg/m²	kN/m²
PERMANENT LOADS
	Self-weight of the slab		2500		1.1
	Mass of partitions
1
2
3
4
5
6
TEMPORARY LOADS
	Snow load				1.4
	Imposed load
TOTAL:

Beam characteristics

Beam length L mm

Beam spacing B mm

Beam section

Beam height mm

Beam width mm

Beam material

the beam carries the mass of partitions

auxiliary beams rest on the beam

Auxiliary beams

Beam section

Beam height mm

Beam width mm

Beam material

Beam spacing L1 mm

Partition characteristics

Partition length mm

Partition thickness mm

Partition height mm

Partition material

Number of layers

Temporary loads

Snow load

Useful load

No.	Name	Layer thickness, mm	Density, kg/m³	Characteristic load, kg/m²	Safety factor	Design load per 1 m		Total load on the beam
No.	Name	Layer thickness, mm	Density, kg/m³	Characteristic load, kg/m²	Safety factor	kg/m	kN/m	kg	kN
PERMANENT LOADS
	Self-weight of the beam
	Mass of auxiliary beams
	Mass of partitions
1
2
3
4
5
6
TEMPORARY LOADS
	Snow load				1.4
	Imposed load
TOTAL:

Column characteristics

Column height H mm

Length L (see fig.) mm

Width B (see fig.) mm

Column section

Column section height mm

Column section width mm

Column material

the column carries the mass of partitions

Beam characteristics

Beam section

Beam height mm

Beam width mm

Beam material

auxiliary beams rest on the beam

Partition characteristics

Partition length mm

Partition thickness mm

Partition height mm

Partition material

Number of layers

Temporary loads

Snow load

Useful load

No.	Name	Layer thickness, mm	Density, kg/m³	Characteristic load, kg/m²	Safety factor	Design load
No.	Name	Layer thickness, mm	Density, kg/m³	Characteristic load, kg/m²	Safety factor	kg	kN
PERMANENT LOADS
	Self-weight of the column
	Mass of the beam
	Mass of auxiliary beams
	Mass of partitions
1
2
3
4
5
6
TEMPORARY LOADS
	Snow load				1.4
	Imposed load
TOTAL:

Calculation method → (how the result is obtained) Ask a question

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About Load Calculation

The results are approximate. Before use, verify the calculations against the applicable standards and consult a specialist. The developer is not responsible for the consequences of use without project verification.

The load calculation compiles loads and converts them to a consistent format for a floor slab, beam, or column. The results can be used as input data for subsequent checks of strength, deflection, and stability.

The calculation follows the Eurocode approach. Characteristic load values are collected by source. Then design values are formed using partial factors and, when needed, load combinations.

Guidelines and recommendations

Standards. The principles for collecting and combining actions follow EN 1990 (Basis of structural design) and EN 1991 (Actions on structures). For imposed loads, EN 1991-1-1 is used. For snow and wind actions, EN 1991-1-3 and EN 1991-1-4 are used if these actions are included in the load set.

Units and output. In the calculator, area loads are accumulated in kg/m². A parallel conversion to kN/m² is shown using the standard relationship:

q(kN/m²) = q(kg/m²) · 0.00981

Layer loads. If a layer is defined by thickness t (mm) and density ρ (kg/m³), the characteristic area load of the layer per 1 m² is calculated as:

q_layer(kg/m²) = (t/1000) · ρ

If a layer is entered directly as an area load (kg/m²), that value is used instead of calculating from thickness and density.

Partial factors for layers. Each layer has its own partial factor k. The design load of the layer equals the characteristic load multiplied by k:

q_layer,R = q_layer · k

In a typical setup, many layers use k = 1.2. The value may differ for specific materials or predefined rows.

Self-weight of the slab. First, the slab type is selected because it affects the average mass per 1 m² via the coefficient k_type. In the calculator, k_type is selected as follows:

Hollow-core slab. k_type = 0.6. This is an approximate way to account for a lower mass compared to a solid slab.
Ribbed slab. k_type = 0.25. This is an approximate way to account for reduced concrete volume due to ribs.
Solid slab (cast-in-place). k_type = 1.0. The mass is calculated as for a solid reinforced concrete layer.

After k_type is selected, the slab mass per 1 m² is calculated from thickness a (mm) and the assumed reinforced concrete density 2500 kg/m³:

q_slab(kg/m²) = (a/1000) · 2500 · k_type

Then the design self-weight is formed using a fixed factor 1.1:

q_slab,R = 1.1 · q_slab

Partitions on the slab. If partition loads are enabled, the calculator first computes the partition mass from geometry and material density. Then the mass is distributed over the slab area to obtain an equivalent load per 1 m²:

q_part(kg/m²) = (L · t · h · ρ) / A_slab

After that, the coefficient kperegorodki is applied. It depends on the partition height and brings the value to the design level:

q_part,R = q_part · kperegorodki

The calculator uses the following selection logic for kperegorodki. If the partition height is greater than 1600 mm, 1.1 is used. Otherwise, 1.2 is used.

Snow load. If snow is enabled, the characteristic value B is multiplied by 1.4:

q_snow,R = 1.4 · B

Imposed load. If imposed load is enabled, the characteristic value T is multiplied by the coefficient kpolezn:

q_live,R = T · kpolezn

Total design area load on the slab. The total is formed by summing all enabled design components. Components disabled in the calculator are taken as zero:

q_total,R = q_slab,R + q_part,R + Σ q_layer,R + q_snow,R + q_live,R

Conversion for beam and column. For a beam and a column, the calculator additionally forms values in kN/m and kN by converting from kg/m and kg using the same 9.81 relationship. The final value is taken as the sum of the design components for the selected element.

FAQs

Why are the coefficients 0.6 and 0.25 used for hollow-core and ribbed slabs?

This is a simplified way to account for the fact that these slabs are typically lighter than a solid slab for the same overall thickness. In the calculator, the slab type affects self-weight only. The geometry of voids or ribs is not modelled explicitly.

Where does the 1.1 factor for slab self-weight come from?

The calculator multiplies slab self-weight by 1.1 as a fixed factor to form a design value. This reflects the general Eurocode approach in EN 1990. Project-specific factors should be taken from the applicable National Annex.

How is the partition load calculated?

The partition mass is calculated from geometry and material density. The mass is then distributed over the slab area A_slab to obtain an equivalent load per 1 m². After that, the coefficient kperegorodki is applied based on partition height.

Why does the table show both kg/m² and kN/m²?

kg/m² is convenient for comparing with common reference values. kN/m² is the standard engineering unit for actions in Eurocodes. The conversion is performed using the fixed factor 0.00981.

Can the total value be used as the final load for a beam or a column?

Yes, load collection is a typical initial step. It is important that thicknesses, densities, and partial factors match your task. For design work, the factors and combination rules should be aligned with EN 1990 and the applicable National Annex.