Load Path, Load Combinations and Risk Categories
March 17, 2026; 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM Pacific Time
John ``Buddy`` Showalter, P.E., M.ASCE
This webinar covers basic load paths and load combinations used in allowable stress design and strength design. Also discussed are risk categories assigned to buildings for load determination based on hazard to life. This webinar is based on the 2024 International Building Code® (IBC®) and the IBC-referenced 2022 ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 7-22). The discussion of load path and load combinations is geared to new engineers, architects, and code officials. The discussion of risk categories should be of interest to all audiences.
Speaker Bio
John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., is principal staff engineer with the International Code Council`s (ICC) product development group. He develops technical resources and provides education in support of the structural provisions of the International Building Code and International Residential Code. Showalter reviews publications authored by the Code Council and engineering groups, while also developing publications and technical seminars on the structural provisions of the International Codes for building departments and designers. He is the project lead in development of Mass Timber Buildings and the IBC and associated education programs. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Showalter has also been a member of the editorial board for STRUCTURE magazine for 20 years. Before joining ICC, Showalter spent 26 years with the American Wood Council where he led its technology transfer program with oversight responsibility for publications, website, helpdesk, education and other technical media. He has over 38 years of experience in the development and support of building codes and standards, authoring or co-authoring more than 80 publications and technical articles for industry-related trade journals.
John “Buddy” Showalter, P.E., is principal staff engineer with the International Code Council`s (ICC) product development group. He develops technical resources and provides education in support of the structural provisions of the International Building Code and International Residential Code. Showalter reviews publications authored by the Code Council and engineering groups, while also developing publications and technical seminars on the structural provisions of the International Codes for building departments and designers. He is the project lead in development of Mass Timber Buildings and the IBC and associated education programs. A graduate of Virginia Tech, Showalter has also been a member of the editorial board for STRUCTURE magazine for 20 years. Before joining ICC, Showalter spent 26 years with the American Wood Council where he led its technology transfer program with oversight responsibility for publications, website, helpdesk, education and other technical media. He has over 38 years of experience in the development and support of building codes and standards, authoring or co-authoring more than 80 publications and technical articles for industry-related trade journals.