When a member is subject to bi-axial bending or a combination of axial tension or compression and bending, it is likely to be necessary to carry out a combined check on the member's performance as a beam-column. This combined check usually takes the form of a comparison of the sum of the ratios of the actual stress to the allowable stress for each of the considered actions. As columns are frequently subject to these types of actions, there is also an option to check the side sway of a beam-column. The side sway check usually takes the form of a comparison of the horizontal deflection at the top of the member with a proportion of its height above ground level.

When checking or designing members for combined bending and compression actions under the ASD code, you may wish to enter coefficients as prescribed by the code. If you leave the Cm unchanged, Steel Designer will select a value for you, which will be displayed in italics in the Design Details table in the Data window. This value is most commonly 1.0.

To set the coefficients for combined checks

Ø  Choose Combined… from the Design menu

Ø  Enter the values for Cmx and Cmy

Ø  Click OK