ACI 318-14 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary

The “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete” (“Code”)
provides minimum requirements for the materials, design, and detailing
of structural concrete buildings and, where applicable, nonbuilding
structures. This Code addresses structural systems, members, and
connections, including cast-in-place, precast, plain, nonprestressed,
prestressed, and composite construction. Among the subjects covered are:
design and construction for strength, serviceability, and durability;
load combinations, load factors, and strength reduction factors;
structural analysis methods; deflection limits; mechanical and adhesive
anchoring to concrete; development and splicing of reinforcement;
construction document information; field inspection and testing; and
methods to evaluate the strength of existing structures. “Building Code
Requirements for Concrete Thin Shells” (ACI 318.2) is adopted by
reference in this Code.The Code user will find that ACI 318-14 has
been substantially reorganized and reformatted from previous editions.
The principal objectives of this reorganization are to present all
design and detailing requirements for structural systems or for
individual members in chapters devoted to those individual subjects, and
to arrange the chapters in a manner that generally follows the process
and chronology of design and construction. Information and procedures
that are common to the design of members are located in utility
chapters.

The quality and testing of materials used in
construction are covered by reference to the appropriate ASTM standard
specifications. Welding of reinforcement is covered by reference to the
appropriate American Welding Society (AWS) standard. Uses of the Code
include adoption by reference in a general building code, and earlier
editions have been widely used in this manner. The Code is written in a
format that allows such reference without change to its language.
Therefore, background details or suggestions for carrying out the
requirements or intent of the Code provisions cannot be included within
the Code itself. The Commentary is provided for this purpose. Some of
the considerations of the committee in developing the Code are discussed
within the Commentary, with emphasis given to the explanation of new or
revised provisions. Much of the research data referenced in preparing
the Code is cited for the user desiring to study individual questions in
greater detail. Other documents that provide suggestions for carrying
out the requirements of the Code are also cited.Technical changes from
ACI 318-11 to ACI 318-14 are outlined in the May 2014 issue of Concrete
International. Transition keys showing how the code was reorganized are
provided on the ACI website on the 318 Resource Page under Topics in
Concrete.