VisualFoundation uses both service level and strength level load combinations to analyze and design foundations as outlined in the table below. Several sets of both ASD and LRFD building code load combinations are built into VisualFoundation. Custom load combination sets may also be created.

Load Combination Set	Stability Checks	Soil Checks	Concrete Checks	Pile Checks
Service Level	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
Strength Level	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

Custom Load Combinations

Use the Create Factored Combination button located in the Load Case Manager to create any custom combination needed. Custom factored load combinations can be imported from the clipboard using the Import From Clipboard button in the Load Combinations tab in the Load Case Manager. Text must be tab delimited and copied to the clipboard in the following format:

     {ComboName} {Factor} {ServiceCaseName} {Factor} {ServiceCaseName2} …

For example:

     ComboName    1.2    D     1.6    L     0.5    Lr

     MyCombo     0.9    D     1.3    W

Seismic Criteria

In order to correctly generate load combinations that contain seismic loads, several additional parameters are required. Please refer to ASCE 7, Section 12.4, for how these parameters are used in generating load combinations. Note: These parameters are only used to generate load combinations. For example, ASCE 7 says that Seismic Category A does not require the combined orthogonal direction combinations (e.g., X + 30%Y), but Category D does.