scope:

The Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360), hereafter referred to as the Specification, shall apply to the design of the structural steel system or systems with structural steel acting compositely with reinforced concrete, where the steel elements are defined in the AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges, Section 2.1, hereafter referred to as the Code of Standard Practice.

This Specification includes the Symbols, the Glossary, Chapters A through N, and Appendices 1 through 8. The Commentary and the User Notes interspersed throughout are not part of the Specification.

User Note: User notes are intended to provide concise and practical guidance in the application of the provisions.

This Specification sets forth criteria for the design, fabrication and erection of structural steel buildings and other structures, where other structures are defined as structures designed, fabricated and erected in a manner similar to buildings, with building-like vertical and lateral load resisting-elements.

Wherever this Specification refers to the applicable building code and there is none, the loads, load combinations, system limitations, and general design requirements shall be those in ASCE/SEI 7.

Where conditions are not covered by the Specification, designs are permitted to be based on tests or analysis, subject to the approval of the authority having jurisdiction.

Alternative methods of analysis and design are permitted, provided such alternative methods or criteria are acceptable to the authority having jurisdiction.

User Note: For the design of structural members, other than hollow structural sections (HSS) that are cold-formed to shapes with elements not more than 1 in. (25 mm) in thickness, the provisions of the AISI North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members are recommended.