Structural Steel Buildings

ANSI/AISC 360-10: Specification for Structural Steel Buildings

For structural engineers, architects, and fabricators, ensuring the safety and integrity of steel structures is paramount. The ANSI/AISC 360-10: Specification for Structural Steel Buildings stands as an essential, industry-leading standard that provides the foundational principles for designing and fabricating steel buildings. This comprehensive document is a cornerstone for reliable and proven structural steel design.

What is ANSI/AISC 360-10?

ANSI/AISC 360-10 is an authoritative standard developed by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) that outlines the requirements for the design and construction of structural steel buildings. It integrates both Allowable Strength Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) methodologies, offering engineers flexibility in their design approaches. Its primary purpose is to establish uniform and responsible practices for the safe and efficient use of structural steel in building construction.

Scope & Purpose

This specification governs the design of structural steel members and connections for buildings and other structures. It covers the material properties of structural steel, including various ASTM designations, as well as requirements for bolts, welding consumables, and anchorages. While it provides criteria for routine structural design, it explicitly excludes highly specialized applications such as seismic and nuclear structures, which may require additional design considerations beyond the scope of this general specification.

Who Must Comply?

• • Primary audience: Structural Engineers, Civil Engineers, Architects, Building Designers, Steel Fabricators, and Code Officials.
• • Industries affected: Construction, Steel Fabrication, Architecture, and Engineering Services.
• • Compliance nature: While not always legally mandatory, compliance is typically required by building codes and municipal ordinances, making it effectively mandatory for most projects. It is also a recommended best practice for ensuring quality and safety.
• • Enforcement: Compliance is typically verified by building officials during the plan review and construction inspection phases.

Key Requirements Overview

The standard requires engineers to ensure that structural steel members and connections possess adequate strength and stability under anticipated loads. Key provisions include:

• • Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) and Allowable Strength Design (ASD): Professionals must select and apply either the LRFD or ASD design philosophy based on the project requirements.
• • Material Specifications: The specification mandates the use of specific ASTM material standards for structural steel, bolts, welding consumables, and other components to ensure consistent material properties.
• • Design for Stability: Design considerations must address the stability of structural elements, including buckling of columns, beams, and bracing systems, to prevent premature failure.
• • Connection Design: Detailed requirements are provided for the design of various types of connections, ensuring they can safely transfer forces between structural elements.
• • Load Combinations: Engineers must consider various load combinations (e.g., dead load, live load, wind load, seismic load) as specified by applicable building codes to determine the most critical design scenarios.

Related Standards & References

ANSI/AISC 360-10 is often used in conjunction with other critical standards. These include:

• • ASCE/SEI 7: Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures: This standard provides the