scope:

The specification requirements and other design recommendations and considerations summarized in this Manual apply in general to the design and construction of steel buildings and other structures.

The design of seismic force-resisting systems also must meet the requirements in the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, except in the following cases for which use of the AISC Seismic Provisions is not required:

• Buildings and other structures in seismic design category (SDC) A

• Buildings and other structures in SDC B or C with R = 3 systems [steel systems not specifically detailed for seismic resistance per ASCE/SEI 7 Table 12.2-1 (ASCE, 2016)]

• Nonbuilding structures similar to buildings with R = 1^1/2 braced-frame systems or R = 1 moment-frame systems (see ASCE/SEI 7 Table 15.4-1)

• Nonbuilding structures not similar to buildings (see ASCE/SEI 7 Table 15.4-2), which are designed to meet the requirements in other standards entirely

Conversely, use of the AISC Seismic Provisions is required in the following cases:

• Buildings and other structures in SDC B or C when one of the exemptions for steel seismic force-resisting systems above does not apply

• Buildings and other structures in SDC B or C that use composite seismic force-resisting systems (those containing composite steel-and-concrete members and those composed of steel members in combination with reinforced concrete members)

• Buildings in SDC D, E or F

• Nonbuilding structures in SDC D, E or F, when the exemption above does not apply

The AISC Seismic Design Manual provides guidance on the use of the AISC Seismic Provisions.

The Manual consists of seventeen parts addressing various topics related to steel building design and construction. Part 1 provides the dimensions and properties for structural products commonly used. For proper material specifications for these products, as well as general specification requirements and other design considerations, see Part 2. For the design of members, see Parts 3 through 6. For the design of connections, see Parts 7 through 15. For Specifications and Codes, see Part 16. For other miscellaneous information, see Part 17.

Tables in the Manual that present available strengths are developed using the geometric conditions indicated and the applicable limit states from the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings. Given the nature of the tables, and the possible governing limit state for each table value, linear interpolation between tabulated values may or may not provide correct strengths.