ASCE 7-22 Loads and Design Skill

Purpose

This skill provides comprehensive access to ASCE 7-22 (Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures), the authoritative US standard for determining structural loads.

Critical Distinction: ASCE 7 is a LOADS standard, not a material design standard. It tells you WHAT loads to apply, not HOW to design members.

When to Use This Skill

Trigger this skill when users ask about:

• Load combinations (LRFD, ASD)
• Wind loads, wind speed, exposure categories
• Seismic loads, base shear, response spectra
• Snow loads, ground snow, snow drift
• Load calculations per ASCE 7
• Risk Categories, Seismic Design Categories
• Environmental loads (tsunami, flood, ice, rain)