Page 95 - Forensic Structural Engineering Handbook

CHAPTER 2

DESIGN CODES AND

STANDARDS

John F. Duntemann, P.E., S.E.

CODES AND STANDARDS IN THE UNITED STATES 2.2
DESIGN STANDARDS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP
TO STRUCTURAL PERFORMANCE 2.3
Structural Safety 2.3
Probabilistic Calculation of Safety Factors 2.3
ASD versus LRFD and USD 2.5
EVOLUTION OF DESIGN STANDARDS AND MODEL BUILDING CODES 2.6
ASCE 7 (Formerly ANSI A58.1) 2.6
Wind Loads 2.7
Snow Loads 2.7
Earthquake Loads 2.8
Model Codes 2.9
Uniform Building Code 2.9
National Building Code 2.10
Standard Building Code 2.10
International Building Code 2.10
Design Codes and Specifications 2.12
ACI Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete 2.12
AISC Manual of Steel Construction 2.13
National Design Specification for Wood Construction 2.14
Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures 2.15
AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges 2.16
Codes and Standards for the Design of Temporary Structures 2.16
ASCE Standard for Design Loads on Structures during Construction 2.16
FHWA/AASHTO Guide Design Specification for Bridge Temporary Works 2.17
REFERENCES 2.17

Code and standard requirements can be important elements in a forensic evaluation after a
failure. Therefore, the forensic structural engineer should be familiar with the provisions as
well as the intent, and in some cases the history, of the governing code or standard. Since
forensic investigations often deal with old structures, familiarity with and access to old
codes are also valuable.

2.1