scope:

The 16th Ed. AISC Steel Construction Manual is based on the 2022 AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC, 2022a), which is printed in Part 16 of the Manual. The AISC 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. 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.

The design recommendations and guidelines in this Manual are intended to demonstrate an approach to the design and are not intended to suggest that the approach presented is the only approach. The committee responsible for the development of the Manual recognizes that designers have alternate approaches that work best for them and their projects. Design approaches that differ from those presented are considered viable as long as they have been prepared following recognized principles of design and construction, follow sound engineering principles, and the AISC Specification and project specific requirements are satisfied.

The design of seismic force-resisting systems also must meet the requirements in the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC, 2022b), 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, 2022)]

• Nonbuilding structures similar to buildings: braced frame systems with R = 12 or moment-frame systems with R = 1¹/₂ (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 (AISC, 2018) provides guidance on the use of the AISC Seismic Provisions.

The Manual includes tables to aid in the design of members and connections. Tables in the Manual that present available strengths are developed using the geometric conditions indicated and the applicable limit states from the AISC Specification. 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. Member design tables in Parts 3, 4, and 5 include member sizes that have been historically used for the type of loading applied; note that there may be other sizes that are appropriate.

The Manual consists of eighteen 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. For a list of symbols and the index, see Part 18.