Codes, specifications, and standards provide steel designers with sound design procedures and guidelines. These documents cover selection of service and design loads, criteria for proportioning members and their connections, procedures for fabrication and erection, requirements for inspections, and standards for protection against corrosion and fire. Use of these documents generally ensures safety, economical designs, and sound operational techniques.
The applicable building code defines the minimum legal requirements for a design.
Most building authorities incorporate in their building code one of the model building codes (Art. 1.10), but some write their code requirements. Usually, the basis for the requirements for steel design and construction in building codes are the American Institute of Steel Construction specifications for structural steel buildings (Table 7.1). Note that two AISC specifications are available, one applicable to allowable stress design and plastic design (ASD) and the second to load and resistance factor design (LRFD).
Table 7.1 also lists other codes and specifications most frequently used by steel designers. Requirements for special-function buildings, needs of governmental agencies, and other unique requirements has led to promulgation of many other codes and specifications. Some of the organizations that publish these standards are the General Services Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, Corps of Engineers,
and U.S. Navy Bureau of Yards and Docks.
