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AISC workflowVerified governing strength required

Steel Column Load
Calculator

Compare axial compression demand with the governing design or allowable strength already determined from the adopted AISC specification and complete structural analysis.

Who it's for: structural engineers comparing axial demand and strength at construction documents, after the AISC analysis is complete.

Same-basis comparison
demand ÷ strength

How to use this calculator

1
Complete the structural design outside this worksheet
Determine loads, analysis forces, stability effects, effective lengths, section classification, all Chapter E limit states, and combined-force requirements under the adopted standard.
2
Keep the basis consistent
Use factored demand with LRFD design strength, or ASD demand with allowable strength. Never mix the two.
3
Enter the governing strength
Use the lowest applicable engineer-reviewed strength, not a value from one isolated buckling equation.

The formula

Utilization = axial compression demand ÷ verified governing strength.
Arithmetic margin = verified strength − demand.
This worksheet performs no AISC member-strength calculation.

Worked example

Example
A factored axial demand of 300 kips compared with an engineer-verified LRFD governing strength of 421 kips gives 300 ÷ 421 = 0.713. The arithmetic comparison does not independently validate either input or the member design.

When this estimate will be off

  • Does not calculate flexural, torsional, flexural-torsional, local, or interaction limit states.
  • Does not determine K, unbraced length, section properties, material properties, slenderness, stability, second-order effects, bracing, connection or foundation capacity.
  • Does not generate loads or load combinations and cannot establish that demand and strength use the same basis.
  • A result below 1.0 is only an entered-value comparison, not a structural adequacy or approval statement.

Frequently asked questions

A common mistake: Does not calculate flexural, torsional, flexural-torsional, local, or interaction limit states.

That can represent only part of the required design. Applicable torsional or flexural-torsional buckling, slender elements, stability, combined forces, and other provisions can govern.

No. The demand and resistance must use the same design basis.

No. It proves only that one entered number is no greater than another. Input provenance and the complete structural design remain essential.

Sources

This free Steel Column Load Calculator is built and maintained by DataDrivenAEC, using the relevant codes and standards. It does not substitute for professional judgment.