The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) recently issued a draft of AISC 341, a standard that provides guidance on designing earthquake-resistant steel buildings and it is available for public comments.
The draft standard incorporates new design limits for steel columns based on research conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of California San Diego. Using a shake table, researchers identified deficiencies in the performance of a certain type of column, with many test assemblies buckling prematurely.
Based on the findings, the researchers devised new limits for the cross-sectional slenderness of steel columns. “A lot of current design provisions are based on scaled-down column tests or a very small number of full-scale tests,” said NIST structural engineer John Harris in a news release. “But the full-scale testing we conducted has allowed us to begin filling in the knowledge gap regarding the performance of these kinds of columns under extreme loading conditions.”
The draft includes new slenderness limits on columns, with structural steel webs—sized according to the new limit—that could meet drift and stability requirements at the same time. The more stringent limits on steel column webs could soften the blow of earthquakes, potentially saving newly designed buildings from unnecessary damage or partial collapse.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Feb 7, 2019
New North Carolina energy code has extensive lighting control requirements
Includes automatic shut offs for buildings of all sizes.
Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2019
Solar carports can help with California’s Title 24 mandates
Can be combined with virtual net-metering software and tax-enabled financing.
Codes and Standards | Feb 5, 2019
Milwaukee board approves rezoning for Western Hemisphere’s tallest mass timber building
Mixed-use tower would rise 21 stories high.
Codes and Standards | Feb 1, 2019
Mass. governor proposes real estate transfer fee hike for climate resiliency projects
Opposed by real estate and trade groups, plan could generate $1 billion in next decade.
Codes and Standards | Jan 31, 2019
New York City will reform construction bid process
Streamlined process intended to improve efficiency, reduce hassle for bidders.
Codes and Standards | Jan 30, 2019
New AGC program aims to diversify construction workforce
More diversity needed to keep pace with demand for workers.
Codes and Standards | Jan 29, 2019
Registration now open for LEED v4.1 for New Construction and Interior Spaces
Emphasizes human health and integrative building design.
Codes and Standards | Jan 25, 2019
AEC professionals should push for net zero projects
Educate and lead clients to more sustainable choices, says LEED fellow.
Codes and Standards | Jan 24, 2019
OSHA unaffected by federal government shutdown
Agency fully funded for first nine months of 2019.
Codes and Standards | Jan 23, 2019
Hackers can easily take control of construction cranes
Potential for serious harm is real, say researchers.