Public discussion of ACI 318 revisions coming soon 1

[concretedoc]

The public discussion period for the next revision of ACI 318 (ACI 318-08), “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete,” begins on July 1, 2007 and ends August 15, 2007. You can view the proposed revisions by going to

http://www.concrete.org

and clicking on a link for ACI 318-08 that will appear on the home page. There’s a chance that the proposed revisions will be posted a week or so before July 1, so check the ACI site during the last week in June if you want more time to read and respond to the changes.

 

[JAE]

My only comment is that there's too many ACI318's floating around out there already. Why not wait 6 years instead of 3? We're overwhelmed with new codes!!! Please stop!!!!!

...uh...sorry guys.

 

[271828]

concretedoc, where were you when we needed you a couple of weeks ago?

We had about an 800 post argument about how to determine Asmin for slabs and footings.

 

[hokie66]

JAE, the production of codes and standards is a hot growth industry. And the users, namely us, just meekly let it happen.

 

[JAE]

meow

 

[271828]

Seriously, I don't understand why some of these things come out so often. IBC and ACI being two culprits that come to mind.

At least AISC does it better, every 5 years or so. The Manual doesn't start coming apart within a couple of years either, LOL!

Committee members are volunteers, so I don't see why it would be desirable from their viewpoint to put out something too often.

 

[hokie66]

Don't make the argument about books falling apart, these guys will start printing codes in disappearing ink.

Never been on one of these committees, but there must be pressure coming from somewhere to publish. Either the researchers who want their hard work acknowledged or the publishers who want to make money selling books?

 

[broekie]

AASHTO is the worst culprit of all. $200 revisions year after year after year....

 

[HgTX]

The puppy I took in overnight the other night peed on my ACI code...but it was an outdated version anyway.

Hg

Eng-Tips policies: faq731-376

 

[DEL2000]

Our office just bought copies of the 05 code for everyone in the office last week!

 

[mrengineer]

The puppy echoes my sentiments exactly.

 

[jt12]

They said at the 318-05 seminar that they were going to 4 year code revision cycles because they had trouble fitting in the change cycle process in 3 years. Either they were lying, changed their mind, or will be going to 4 year cycles after 2008.

 

[ash060]

271828

Your ACI codes fall apart after a couple of years too. I thought it only happened to me.

I think for the amount of money we spend for an ACI code, they should bind the thing better.

I try not to open my 2005 code unless I have too, for fear that it will fall apart.

 

[DonPhillips]

From my four years in code enforcement, the pressure to change codes comes mainly from industry interests, which makes it easier for their products to be used. I am not sure this applies to ACI but certainly applies to ICC. ACI found out what ICC discovered -- they can make more money on a three year code change cycle.

There was a big debate when NFPA issued its own building code (5000) between the consensus method of change, where industry has a say, and the ICC method of change where only governmental member vote for changes. I had attended one ICC code change hearing in Detriot and I seldom voted for change without good justification. I am not sure how easy change is in the consensus method.

I say this because I think ICC has an interest in publishing on a three year cycle and other code publishers are jumping on this band wagon. Industry supports this because new products and methods can be more quickly incorporated into the code, and as long as those private interest have the ear (and wallet) of the code writers, it will probably not change.

Don Phillips

http://worthingtonengineering.com