In load combinations where one force effect decreases another effect, the _____ shall be applied to the load reducing the force effect.

• A. maximum value
• B. minimum value
• C. nominal value
• D. average value

Answer: (B)

When combining loads, some actions can partly cancel the effect of others. To find the most severe (worst-case) combination, you apply the largest possible value to the action that increases the demand, and you use the smallest possible value for the action that reduces (counters) that demand. Therefore, the load that reduces the force effect should be taken at its minimum value. Using a larger value for the reducing load would lessen the net effect, and using nominal or average values wouldn’t bound the extreme case designers must check.