The 2024 International Code Council model building codes will reference two additional American Concrete Institute (ACI) concrete design and construction standards. ACI CODE 440.11-22 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars (440.11) will be referenced by the International Building Code (IBC) and ACI CODE 562-21 Assessment, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Existing Concrete Structures (562) will be referenced by the International Existing Building Code (IEBC). Although adoption by authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) will dictate when provisions become explicitly adopted in a particular area, these standards represent current state of the practice and can be used in the interim through an appropriate alternative means and methods process.
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What you always wanted to ask.
This quarterly article addresses some of the questions received about structural standards developed by the Structural Engineering Institute (SEI) of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). In addition, questions from engineers, building officials, and other design professionals are often considered in the development of future editions of the Standards. Following are some questions received along with SEI’s responses.
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This two-part series discusses resilience for design practice. Part 2 includes currently available guidance for resilience, example projects addressing resilience goals, and the next steps needed to advance resilience in design practice. Designing for Resilience Part 1 was presented in the December 2022 issue of STRUCTURE.
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Starting in mid-2020, following the outcome from the 2019 International Code Council’s (ICC) Group B Hearings, an ad hoc committee of dedicated experts from the ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures committee began a two-year process to develop a code change proposal for the next cycle of the ICC Hearings in 2022. This happens all of the time, but this effort was the epitome of collaboration.
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Walter P Moore’s Larry Griffis reflects on 50 years as a structural engineer.
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During the past year or so, I have read many articles, some published in STRUCTURE, on the continuing debate about the benefits of working from home versus at the office, mostly or entirely in each case. I think it is fair to say that there are two camps. The work-from-home advocates note a reduction in commute time, more time available to be with family, increased flexibility in one’s daily schedule, getting more done in a day, etc. The work-from-the-office advocates describe better collaboration, more efficiency, more learning opportunities, better mentoring, etc. There is clearly no right or wrong approach because they are all true to me, particularly in the short term.
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19th Century Mississippi River Bridges Series
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In December 2020, the International Code Council, Inc. (ICC) and National Storm Shelter Association (NSSA) jointly published the third edition of the ICC/NSSA 500 Standard for the Design and Construction of Storm Shelters. Referenced in the 2021 International Building Code (IBC) and 2021 International Existing Building Code (IEBC), ICC 500-2020 establishes minimum design, construction, and inspection requirements for tornado and hurricane storm shelters. This article reviews when a storm shelter is required, the significant changes in the 2020 edition, and how the changes impact the practicing structural engineer.
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Every year, the nation experiences many high wind events, including hurricanes and tornadoes, and significant straight-line winds in some years. These high wind events frequently damage buildings; that damage must either be repaired or the building demolished and re-built. The visual image this damage creates often makes owners of similar buildings wonder about the wind resistance of their own buildings (both residential and commercial). As a result, some owners seek expertise in determining the wind resistance of their buildings and look to retrofit the building with improved wind resistance.
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I was motivated to write following the devastating earthquakes in eastern Turkey on February 6, 2023. As of February 21, 2023, more than 45,000 people have died, most unnecessarily. Unfortunately, tragedies occur all of the time, are observed and discussed for a news cycle or two, but then largely forgotten. That is unless the issue is your issue. Earthquake hazards, risk, and mitigation are my issues, so I want to continue the conversation to lend a different perspective to our readers and to motivate them to advocate for more action, hopefully.
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