How to use building codes ? 5

[Shazeb Mirza]

Hi, I a civil engineering graduate and I am having some confusion and that is :
1) how to use building codes (like ACI-314)?
2) how to take advantage of them?

thanks

 

[r13]

why don't I refer the codes directly and ask the veterans that how can I take advantage of the CODES

No, blindly apply the codes without basic knowledge and understanding is a dangerous proposition. You need to know the principles, a sense of how things works, then learn and grow from work experience, and advices from seniors. Simply put, codes can't/shall not/must not replace schooling.

 

[BAretired]

Shazeb,

Prior to reading this thread, I was not aware of this document. Strictly speaking, it is not a code. It is a guide offering simplified design for buildings of limited size and height. The official code for concrete design in the USA is ACI 318. I do not know whether either of these documents has been adopted in Pakistan or occupied Kashmir.

BA

 

[Shazeb Mirza]

yeah its 318 my mistake

 

[IRstuff]

The title of the document is "Guide to Simplified Design for Reinforced Concrete Buildings"

The two takeaways are "Guide" and "Simplified." "Guide" means that it's like the directions on Google Maps; it's not going to tell every detail on the way to the destination, and even when you get to the destination, it's not going to tell you where the front door or parking are. "Simplified" means it leaves out a lot of details; those additional details are also things that an actual, and complete, design will require.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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[Shazeb Mirza]

thanks man @BAretired for the research and your time , your advises are surely precious

 

[IRstuff]

Nevertheless,

Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-14)
Commentary on Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete(ACI 318R-14)

has 6 pages on one-way slabs, and half of the area is devoted to "commentary." The fact that commentary is required tells you that it's not all-encompassing and certainly, 3 pages of 10-point text is barely enough to tell you what requirements your design need to satisfy, and nothing about how to do the design; that's what your classes in school should have covered, in great detail.

Think for second, ACI-318 is about 500 pages long, and we know half of the page area is devoted to commentary. The textbook from one class was probably at least 500 pages and fully covered. So, assuming you took 3 classes per year that pertained to your discipline, that's 6000 pages of textbook. 6000 >> 500.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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[dhengr]

BA:
ACI 314 was brought about 20-30 years ago, about the same time as the IBC (International Building Code) was being developed and adopted. Its relationship to ACI 318 is about the same as the relationship btwn. the IBC and the IRC (International Residential Code). It is a much more prescriptive code, for small bldgs. and a less rigorously engineered approach to designing less significant/smaller structures. As I recall, one of its intentions was a less rigorously engineered approach which might be used by developing countries which were just starting to use bldg. codes to manage/control their construction. It that respect ACI 314 might fit the OP’ers. needs and locale quite nicely.

 

[BAretired]

dhengr:
A very good summary, dhengr and I agree that it may fit the OPer's needs and locale quite nicely. I looked a little further on the internet and found the following notes on page 1 of ACI 314R-16 (as opposed to 314R-11):

ACI Committee Reports, Guides, and Commentaries are intended for guidance in planning, designing, executing, and inspecting construction. This document is intended for the use of individuals who are competent to evaluate the significance and limitations of its content and recommendations and who will accept responsibility for the application of the material it contains. The American Concrete Institute disclaims any and all responsibility for the stated principles. The Institute shall not be liable for any loss or damage arising therefrom.Reference to this document shall not be made in contract documents. If items found in this document are desired by the Architect/Engineer to be a part of the contract documents, they shall be restated in mandatory language for incorporation by the Architect/Engineer.

ACI 314R-16 supersedes ACI 314R-11 and became effective June 2016.Copyright © 2016, American Concrete Institute.All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by electronic or mechanical device, printed, written, or oral, or recording for sound or visual reproduc-tion or for use in any knowledge or retrieval system or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietors.





BA

 

[Blackstar123]

Generally, design engineers in Pakistan are using american codes in their regular practice. Major cities has a relatively strong building control authority and expects designs to be as per the provisions of UBC 97.

As far as I know, before 2005 kashmir earthquake, there were no general building code applicable in all parts of the country, except for some local building codes. After that there were some major efforts taken to introduce a general building Code, specially for the earth-quake affected areas which resulted in what today is known as building code of Pakistan,(which is basically based on the provsions of UBC 97 and other american codes)

Almost all engineering universities in Pakiatan taughtt their students to learn design on the basis of current versions of ASCE, ACI318 and AISC codes.

 

[r13]

Don't read too much into code/standard bodies' disclaimer, it always does - the user's fault, not the code, stupid

 

[Lomarandil]

These two documents are some of the best freely available guides for design of concrete structures per ACI-318.

https://www.cement.org/designaids/reinforced-concrete/free-reinforced-concrete-publications

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