Aluminum Design Manual Changes

[BearcatEng2013]

I am working on a project which involves the analysis/design of aluminum structural members. I am working with the 2005 Aluminum Design Manual but I am considering updating to the 2015 Aluminum design manual. Have the general formulas indicated in table format such as Table 3.4-3 been revised regarding the "Type of Member or Element"? See Attached. Do you know where I can look to see the major changes within the Aluminum Design Manual? Also I have the text "Aluminum Structures: A Guide to their Specifications and Design" 2nd by Kissell & Ferry, does anyone know of any good updated text that is available?

Link
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Thank you.

 

[SW13]

Bearcat,

I am familiar with the 2010 and 2015 ADM, although I have not used any versions prior to this and am unfamiliar with their format. The 2015 version moves toward a style of code that resembles the AISC Steel Construction Manual in general format, and breaks down the limit states for each member designation (closed, open, singly-symmetric, etc...) into its own section in each chapter. I believe the formulas have changed somewhat in 2015 as opposed to the 2005 version you have posted.

For instance, in the 2010 version, the limit state of tensile/compressive yielding for round tubes for nominal flexural strength (in terms of moment capacity) is 1.17 x tensile (or compressive) yield stress x elastic section modulus--in the 2015 version, there is no special designation for round tubes, but instead there is a general limit state of tensile/compressive yielding in flexure for all shapes which is the minimum of 1.) 1.5 x elastic section modulus (tensile or compressive) x tensile or compressive yield stress and 2.) the plastic section modulus x compressive yield stress.

The text you referenced is a good one, although I do not know of an updated version. The closest you could come to that would be to attend one of Randy Kissell's (author of that book and principal author of the Aluminum Design Manual) seminars on aluminum welding and design, which from first-hand experience is a worthwhile course. I think he offers those a couple of times a year in various locations/or in conjunction with other major events in the engineering world.

Hope this helps some--

 

[BearcatEng2013]

SW13,

Thank you for the information, I purchased the 2015 ADM and I think the format makes the difference as it is easier to follow. I am reviewing Chapter E: Design of Compression Members, regarding effective length factors for members the only reference is in C.3: Calculation of Available Strengths. The way it reads is that all members shall have an effective length factor of 1 unless justified by rotational analysis for a value smaller than 1. I am confused as normal effective length values vary by boundary conditions of a member such as fixed-fixed, pinned-pinned, etc., per 2005 ADM there was a Figure 3.4-1 similar to Table C-A-7.1 in AISC 360-10 showing the boundary conditions and theoretical K values and recommended design values for K. Is this table still applicable or have the equations taken this into account? If the table is still applicable why is it not included in the 2015 ADM or am I not looking in the correct section?

Thanks

 

[BUGGAR]

You bring up some excellent questions. What is the Aluminum Association's response? Are they approachable? I would think they would have a technical committee that would support their code.

I'm thinking of updating my ADM but will wait to see if they are responsive.

 

[SW13]

Bearcat,

In Section E.2.1, Section C.3 is referred to, which indicates that all members that participate in the stability of a structure shall have an effective length factor of 1.0. I would take this to mean that cantilevers do not fall into this category, and fixed-end columns are to be conservatively considered as pinned, thus k = 1.0 (unless you can justify its fixity). This is all that I can ascertain as to the reason why higher values of "k" are not used. I am not sure why it was changed from the 2005 version to the current 2015. 2010 is also like 2015 in this regard.

Buggar,

I have found that the Aluminum Association is both approachable and responsive, if by responsive you mean willing to back up what they publish with technical answers. Changes to their code occur (review, revisions) every 5 years and all changes pass through an Engineering and Design Task Force (EDTF), consisting of professionals in the field of aluminum structural engineering. The proposed changes, if passed by the EDTF, are sent to an Engineering Advisory Committee, consisting of more structural engineers who have experience in aluminum and who make up a broad range of interest in aluminum design. Only after a change is approved through both committees can it become part of the code.

On page 1-4 (2015), there is contact information to send technical inquiries about the code, and I feel certain that you would receive a response if you polled them about the change we have discussed here. Thanks--