2010 AISC Code of Standard Practice now available for free download

CHICAGO — Improvements in how connection design delegation is handled are among the most significant changes in the newly released 2010 Code of Standard Practice for Structural Steel Buildings and Bridges (AISC 303-10). Published by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the Code reflects industry advancements and provides engineers, owners, architects, general contractors, and others associated with construction in structural steel, with a useful framework for a common understanding of acceptable standards when contracting for structural steel.

Since the first edition of the Code was published in 1924, AISC has constantly surveyed the structural steel design community and construction industry to determine standard trade practices. Since then, this Code has been updated periodically to reflect new and changing technology and industry practices.

Like the 2005 edition, the 2010 edition is not a complete revision of the Code but does include important changes and updates. "The most significant improvement is in Section 3.1.2," commented Charles J. Carter, AISC vice president and chief structural engineer. "It is the result of collaboration between the AISC Code Committee and the Council of American Structural Engineers (CASE) Guidelines Committee, and represents a solution to connection design delegation that the design community and steel construction industry has needed for many decades."

The following modifications have been made in the 2010 revision of the Code based upon the deliberations of a fair and balanced Committee comprised of structural engineers, architects, a code official, a general contractor, fabricators, a steel detailer, erectors, inspectors, and an attorney:

•The scope in Section 1.1 has been revised to cover buildings and other structures in a manner that is consistent with how buildings and other structures are treated in AISC 360 (the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings). A similar and corresponding revision has been made in Section 1.4.
•The list of referenced documents in Section 1.2 has been editorially updated.
•Section 1.9 has been added to emphasize that not all tolerances are explicitly covered in the Code, and that tolerances not covered are not to be assumed as zero.
•Clarification has been added in Section 2 that base plates and bearing plates are considered structural steel if they are attached to the structural frame, but not if they are loose items that do not attach to the structural steel frame.
•Editorial improvements have been made in the Commentary to Section 3.1 to improve upon the list of items that should be provided in the contract documents, as well as to link column differential shortening and anticipated deflections to information that has been added in the Commentary to Section 7.13.
•Explicit requirements have been added in Section 3.1.2 as "option 3" for when connection design work is delegated by the Structural Engineer of Record (SER) to be performed by another engineer. Provisions covering connection design by the SER (option 1) and selection or completion of basic tabular connections by a steel detailer (option 2) also have been revised for consistency with and distinction from option 3. Additionally, the defined term substantiating connection information has been added to the Glossary, and revisions also have been made in Section 4 to correspond with the addition of option 3 in Section 3.1.2.
•Information has been added to the Commentary in Section 4.1 to summarize the importance and benefits of holding a pre-detailing conference to open lines of communication and develop a common understanding about the project.
•Section 4.7 has been added to address requirements for erection drawings.
•Section 6.4.3 has been modified to better address incidental camber in trusses. Information has been added in the Commentary to Section 7.10.1 to better describe the provisions that relate to special erection conditions or other considerations that are required by the design concept, as well as to highlight special considerations in the erection of cantilevered members.
•The intent in Section 7.13.1.2(d) has been clarified in the text as well as with the relocation of supporting Commentary.
•The intent in Section 10.2.5 has been editorially clarified for groove welds in butt joints and outside corner joints.
•The document has been editorially revised for consistency with current terms and other related documents.

The 2010 Code of Standard Practice is available as a free download PDF at www.aisc.org/freepubs.