NTRODUCTION The ACI Building code and commentary are presented in a side-by-side column format, with code text placed in the left column and the corresponding commentary text aligned in the right column. To further distinguish the code from the con code has been printed in Helvetica, the same type face in which this paragraph is set This paragraph is set in Times Roman, and all portions of the text exclusive to the commentary are printed in this type face. Commentary section numbers are preceded by an"R"to further distinguish them from code section numbers Vertical lines in the margins indicate changes from the previous version. Changes to the notation and strictly editorial changes are not indicated with a vertical line INTRODUCTION The commentary directs attention to other documents that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements and This commentary discusses some of the considerations of intent of the code. However, those documents and the Committee 318 in developing the provisions contained in commentary are not a part of the code Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete(ACI 318M-05), hereinafter called the code or the 2005 code The code has no legal status unless it is adopted by the Emphasis is given to the explanation of new or revised provi- government bodies having the police power to regulate sions that may be unfamiliar to code users. In addition building design and construction. where the code has not comments are included for some items contained in previous been adopted, it may serve as a reference to good practice editions of the code to make the present commentary inde- even though it has no legal status pendent of the previous editions. Comments on specific provisions are made under the corresponding clapter and The code provides a means of establishing minimum standards for acceptance of designs and construction by legally appointed building officials or their designated representatives historical background concerning the development of the disputes between the owner, engineer, architect, contractor,or ACI Building Code, nor is it intended to provide a detailed heir agents, subcontractors, material suppliers, or testing agen- resume of the studies and research data reviewed by the cies. Therefore, the code cannot define the contract responsi committee in formulating the provisions of the code bility of each of the parties in usual construction. General for those who wish to study the background material in depth. specifications should be avoided since the contractor is rarely in a position to accept responsibility for design details or As the name implies, "Building Code Requirements for construction requirements that depend on a detailed knowledge Structural Concrete"is meant to be used as part of a legally of the design Design-build construction contractors, however, adopted building code and as such must differ in form and typically combine the design and construction responsibility substance from documents that provide detailed specifica- Generally, the drawings, specifications and contract docu- tions, recommended practice, complete design procedures, ments should contain all of the necessary requirements to or design aids ensure compliance with the code. In part, this can be accom- plished by reference to specific code sections in the project The code is intended to cover all buildings of the usual types, specifications. Other ACI publications, such as"Specifications both large and small. Requirements more stringent than the for Structural Concrete(ACI 301)"are written specifically for code provisions may be desirable for unusual construction. use as contract documents for construction. The code and commentary cannot replace sound engineering knowledge, experience, and judgement It is recommended to have testing and certification programs for the individual parties involved with the execution of a building code states only the minimum requirements work performed in accordance with this code. Available for necessary to provide for public health and safety. The code this purpose are the plant certification programs of the is based on this principle. For any structure, the owner or the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, the Post-Tensioning structural designer may require the quality of materials and Institute and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Associa- construction to be higher than the minimum requirements tion; the personnel certification programs of the American necessary to protect the public as stated in the code. Concrete Institute and the Post-Tensioning Institute; and the However, lower standards are not permitted Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institutes Voluntary Certifica tion Program for Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Coating Applicator Plants. In addition, Standard Specification for Agencies For a history ng Code see Kerekes, Frank, and Reid, Har Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Materials Used crete,ACI JOURNALProceedingsV50, No6Feb1954. P 441. For a discussion of in Construction"(ASTM E 329-03)specifies performance Practice, "ACI JOURNAL, Proceedings V. 56, No 5, May 1960. P. 1105 requirements for inspection and testing agencies licene with Acl oduction of networking permitted without loene from H ACl 318 Building CLicenseewBlack Veatch5910842100aryINTRODUCTION 7 ACI 318 Building Code and Commentary INTRODUCTION This commentary discusses some of the considerations of Committee 318 in developing the provisions contained in “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318M-05),” hereinafter called the code or the 2005 code. Emphasis is given to the explanation of new or revised provi￾sions that may be unfamiliar to code users. In addition, comments are included for some items contained in previous editions of the code to make the present commentary inde￾pendent of the previous editions. Comments on specific provisions are made under the corresponding chapter and section numbers of the code. The commentary is not intended to provide a complete historical background concerning the development of the ACI Building Code,* nor is it intended to provide a detailed résumé of the studies and research data reviewed by the committee in formulating the provisions of the code. However, references to some of the research data are provided for those who wish to study the background material in depth. As the name implies, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete” is meant to be used as part of a legally adopted building code and as such must differ in form and substance from documents that provide detailed specifica￾tions, recommended practice, complete design procedures, or design aids. The code is intended to cover all buildings of the usual types, both large and small. Requirements more stringent than the code provisions may be desirable for unusual construction. The code and commentary cannot replace sound engineering knowledge, experience, and judgement. A building code states only the minimum requirements necessary to provide for public health and safety. The code is based on this principle. For any structure, the owner or the structural designer may require the quality of materials and construction to be higher than the minimum requirements necessary to protect the public as stated in the code. However, lower standards are not permitted. The commentary directs attention to other documents that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements and intent of the code. However, those documents and the commentary are not a part of the code. The code has no legal status unless it is adopted by the government bodies having the police power to regulate building design and construction. Where the code has not been adopted, it may serve as a reference to good practice even though it has no legal status. The code provides a means of establishing minimum standards for acceptance of designs and construction by legally appointed building officials or their designated representatives. The code and commentary are not intended for use in settling disputes between the owner, engineer, architect, contractor, or their agents, subcontractors, material suppliers, or testing agen￾cies. Therefore, the code cannot define the contract responsi￾bility of each of the parties in usual construction. General references requiring compliance with the code in the project specifications should be avoided since the contractor is rarely in a position to accept responsibility for design details or construction requirements that depend on a detailed knowledge of the design. Design-build construction contractors, however, typically combine the design and construction responsibility. Generally, the drawings, specifications and contract docu￾ments should contain all of the necessary requirements to ensure compliance with the code. In part, this can be accom￾plished by reference to specific code sections in the project specifications. Other ACI publications, such as “Specifications for Structural Concrete (ACI 301)” are written specifically for use as contract documents for construction. It is recommended to have testing and certification programs for the individual parties involved with the execution of work performed in accordance with this code. Available for this purpose are the plant certification programs of the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, the Post-Tensioning Institute and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Associa￾tion; the personnel certification programs of the American Concrete Institute and the Post-Tensioning Institute; and the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute’s Voluntary Certifica￾tion Program for Fusion-Bonded Epoxy Coating Applicator Plants. In addition, “Standard Specification for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Materials Used in Construction” (ASTM E 329-03) specifies performance requirements for inspection and testing agencies. The ACI Building code and commentary are presented in a side-by-side column format, with code text placed in the left column and the corresponding commentary text aligned in the right column. To further distinguish the code from the commentary, the code has been printed in Helvetica, the same type face in which this paragraph is set. This paragraph is set in Times Roman, and all portions of the text exclusive to the commentary are printed in this type face. Commentary section numbers are preceded by an “R” to further distinguish them from code section numbers. Vertical lines in the margins indicate changes from the previous version. Changes to the notation and strictly editorial changes are not indicated with a vertical line. * For a history of the ACI Building Code see Kerekes, Frank, and Reid, Harold B., Jr., “Fifty Years of Development in Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Con￾crete,” ACI JOURNAL, Proceedings V. 50, No. 6, Feb. 1954, p. 441. For a discussion of code philosophy, see Siess, Chester P., “Research, Building Codes, and Engineering Practice,” ACI JOURNAL, Proceedings V. 56, No. 5, May 1960, p. 1105. Copyright American Concrete Institute Provided by IHS under license with ACI Licensee=Black & Veatch/5910842100 No reproduction or networking permitted without license from IHS Not for Resale, 11/28/2005 18:20:15 MST --`,,`,````````,,`,,`,,``,`,,,`-`-`,,`,,`,`,,`---