variable action may be present on the structure at the moment when the accidental action

occurs, its frequent value (_1,1 Qk,1) will be used in the combination, otherwise its quasi-permanent
value (_2,1 Qk,1) will be used; other variable actions are introduced in the combination with their
quasi-permanent values (_2,i Qk,i).
Combinations of actions for seismic design situations
k, j Ed 2,i k,i
j1i1
GPA_Q

# " " "#

where AEd is the design value of seismic action ( Ed _I Ek A = _ A with _I importance factor and AEk
characteristic values of seismic action - see EN1998). Note that the seismic action is combined with
the quasi-permanent value of variable actions, whereas permanent actions G k,j are taken into
account with their characteristic value, and prestressing with its representative value (see ch. 6).
SLS combinations
There are three combinations of actions for SLS: characteristic, frequent and quasi-permanent.
Characteristic combination
k, j k,1 0,i k,i
j1i1
GPQ_Q
!

# " " "#

Frequent combination:
k, j 1,1 k,1 2,i k,i
j1i1
GP_Q_Q
!

# " " "#

Quasi-permanent combination:
k, j 2,i k,i
j1i1
GP_Q

# " "#
Detailed expressions of the combinations of actions are given in the normative annexes to EN 1990
(Annex A1 for buildings, A2 for bridges, etc.), together with the recommended values of partial
safety factors _F and of combination factors _.
The characteristic combination should be normally considered for short term limit states, associated
with the one-time attainment of a fixed value of the effect considered (e.g. crack formation). It
corresponds to those effects that have a probability of being exceeded which is close to the
probability that the characteristic value of the predominant variable action Q k,1 will be exceeded. In
other words, the characteristic combination should be considered for verification of irreversible
serviceability limit states: e.g. the crack width limit state characterized by a 0,5 mm crack width is an
irreversible limit state, because such a wide crack cannot completely close once the action that
produced it is removed.
The frequent combination should be considered for long term limit states, associated with the
attainment of a fixed value of the effect considered for a small fraction of the reference period or for
its attainment a fixed number of times. It corresponds to those effects that are exceeded with a
frequency or length of time close to the one of the frequent value _1 Qk,1 of the predominant
variable action (e.g. the crack width limit state of a prestressed concrete beam with bonded
tendons, XC2 exposure class, with design crack width not exceeding 0,2 mm).
The quasi-permanent combination should be considered for long term action effects, associated
with the attainment of a fixed value of these limit states for a long fraction of the reference period
(e.g. the crack width limit state for a reinforced concrete or prestressed concrete beam with
unbonded tendons, with design crack width not exceeding 0,3 mm).
Frequent and quasi-permanent combinations must be considered for the verification of reversible
limit states, i.e. limit states that will not be attained or exceeded once the actions that have caused
attainment or exceeding are removed.
Combination of actions for fatigue limit state
The combination of actions for fatigue verification is given in [(6.8.3)-EC2]:
k, j 1,1 k,1 2,i k,i fat
j1i1
GP_Q_QQ
!
__
_"""_"
__
##
where fat Q is the relevant fatigue load (e.g. traffic load or other cyclic load).
Guide to EC2 Section 2
Page 2-13 Table of contents
2.6.1 Combinations of actions for the ultimate limit states verification of a building
EN1990 Annex A1 gives rules for combinations of actions for buildings, on the basis of symbolic
expressions and recommended values (or of values giv