Proposed Revisions To AISC Design Guide 15, Historical Shapes

AISC Design Guide 15 is a recognized source of accurate information concerning the historical use of structural steel in the USA. In general, it provides information on various structural shapes and design criteria since 1873.

Some time ago I realized that Design Guide 15 does not correctly address the design criteria for buildings from 1942 to 1946 (World War II). In September 1942, AISC issued a war emergency specification that significantly increased allowable stresses for structural steel members, certain bolts, rivets and welds. This was done to make maximum use of reduced quantities of steel then available. The allowable stresses were relaxed in February 1946, after the war ended. Currently, Design Guide 15 does not acknowledge any of these changes.

I notified AISC with details and proposed revisions in January 2015. I was informed that the proposal has been taken under consideration, but have heard nothing since January.

Very little structural steel was used for buildings during 1942 - 1946, so why is this important? If an Engineer is reviewing an existing 1942 - 1946 building, say for potential reuse, it would be good to know that the structural steel is 20% more heavily loaded than Design Guide 15 currently states.

Full details of the AISC specifications and the proposed revisions are available on this page of my website:

http://www.slideruleera.net/AISC-Desiign-Guide-15.html

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net

 

[JoshPlumSE]

You probably realize this already, but the publication of these design guides is a long and drawn out process. I remember getting a "final draft" of the AISC design guide for Tapered members (DG#25) in early 2007... The design guide didn't end up getting released until 2011.

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Interesting and noted. Please let us know if they do get back to you. I've done a lot of work in buildings of this era, though none specifically build during WW2, I'm sure I'll run into something that was under this era sooner or later.

Maine Professional and Structural Engineer.

http://www.fepc.us

 

[SlideRuleEra]

Thanks, Josh. I did not realize that it took that long. Decided to make all of the info that I used available so that the few Engineers potentially affected can draw their own conclusions.

http://www.SlideRuleEra.net

http://www.VacuumTubeEra.net