ASCE 7-10 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures: A Comprehensive Review (PDF)
ASCE 7-10 PDF Free Download: How to Get the Latest Edition of the Standard for Structural Design
If you are a structural engineer, architect, or building official, you probably know how important it is to follow the latest standards and codes for designing safe and reliable structures. One of the most widely used and recognized standards in the United States is ASCE 7, which provides minimum design loads and criteria for buildings and other structures.
asce 7-10 pdf free download
ASCE 7 is updated periodically to reflect the latest research, technology, and practice in the field of structural engineering. The most recent edition, ASCE 7-10, was published in 2010 and has been adopted by many state and local jurisdictions as well as by several national model codes.
In this article, we will give you an overview of what ASCE 7-10 is and why it is important, what are the main changes and updates in ASCE 7-10 compared to the previous edition, and how to get a free PDF copy of ASCE 7-10 online. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of ASCE 7-10 and how to use it for your projects.
Introduction
What is ASCE 7-10 and why is it important?
ASCE 7-10 stands for American Society of Civil Engineers Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures. It is a standard that provides minimum requirements for determining the design loads (such as dead, live, wind, snow, seismic, etc.) that structures must resist during their service life.
ASCE 7-10 is important because it ensures that structures are designed with adequate safety margins against failure or collapse due to various load effects. It also provides consistency and uniformity in the design process across different regions, disciplines, and types of structures. It also facilitates compliance with building codes and regulations that reference or adopt ASCE 7-10 as part of their provisions.
What are the main changes and updates in ASCE 7-10?
ASCE 7-10 incorporates many changes and updates from the previous edition, ASCE 7-05, which was published in 2005. Some of these changes are based on new data, methods, or technologies that have emerged or improved since then. Some are based on feedback from users or stakeholders who identified issues or gaps in the previous edition. Some are based on harmonization or alignment with other standards or codes that are related or complementary to ASCE 7-10.
Some of the main changes and updates in ASCE 7-10 include:
New seismic maps and design spectra that reflect the latest seismic hazard information and models for the United States and its territories.
New wind speed maps and design pressures that account for the effects of wind directionality, topography, and exposure on wind loads.
New snow load provisions and maps that consider the effects of snow density, drifting, unbalanced loading, and rain-on-snow surcharge on roof structures.
New tsunami load provisions and maps that provide guidance for designing structures in coastal areas subject to tsunami hazards.
New chapters on fire, rain, ice, and human-induced loads that address the effects of these load types on structures.
How to get a free PDF copy of ASCE 7-10?
If you are interested in getting a free PDF copy of ASCE 7-10, you might be wondering if it is possible and legal to do so. The answer is yes, but with some caveats and limitations. In this section, we will explain the benefits, risks, and drawbacks of downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free, as well as the legal and ethical issues involved. We will also provide you with some of the best sources and websites to download ASCE 7-10 PDF for free online.
ASCE 7-10 Overview
Scope and organization of ASCE 7-10
ASCE 7-10 applies to the design of buildings and other structures that are within the scope of the International Building Code (IBC) or the International Residential Code (IRC), as well as other structures that are not within the scope of these codes but are of similar nature or occupancy. ASCE 7-10 does not apply to structures that are subject to special codes or standards, such as bridges, dams, nuclear facilities, offshore structures, etc.
ASCE 7-10 is organized into six parts, each containing several chapters. The parts are:
General Requirements: This part covers the general provisions, definitions, symbols, notations, load combinations, and load factors that apply to all types of loads and structures.
Dead and Live Loads: This part covers the determination of dead loads (such as self-weight, fixed equipment, etc.) and live loads (such as occupancy, storage, etc.) for different types of structures and occupancies.
Environmental Loads: This part covers the determination of environmental loads (such as wind, snow, rain, ice, earthquake, tsunami, etc.) for different types of structures and locations.
Structural Design Criteria: This part covers the criteria and procedures for designing structures to resist different types of loads and load combinations.
Special Design Requirements: This part covers the special design requirements for certain types of structures or structural elements (such as diaphragms, shear walls, foundations, etc.) or certain types of load effects (such as torsion, buckling, fatigue, etc.).
Serviceability Requirements: This part covers the serviceability requirements for structures to ensure adequate performance under normal service conditions (such as deflection, vibration, cracking, etc.).
General requirements and load combinations
The general requirements of ASCE 7-10 specify the basic assumptions, principles, and methods that apply to the design of structures for different types of loads. Some of these requirements are:
The design loads must be based on realistic assumptions about the expected use and occupancy of the structure.
The design loads must account for all possible load cases and scenarios that may occur during the service life of the structure.
The design loads must consider the effects of load duration, frequency, variability, and simultaneity on the structural response.
The design loads must be combined using appropriate load factors and load combinations to obtain the maximum or minimum design forces or moments for each structural element or connection.
The design loads must be applied at their points of application or distributed over their areas of influence in accordance with their nature and direction.
Dead, live, and environmental loads
The dead, live, and environmental loads of ASCE 7-10 cover the determination of the various types of loads that act on structures due to their own weight, occupancy, storage, wind, snow, rain, ice, earthquake, tsunami, etc. Some of these loads are:
Dead load: The dead load is the load due to the weight of all permanent structural and nonstructural components of a structure. It includes the weight of the structural elements (such as beams, columns, slabs, etc.), the weight of the fixed equipment (such as HVAC systems, plumbing fixtures, etc.), and the weight of any permanent attachments or appurtenances (such as partitions, ceilings, etc.). The dead load is usually calculated by multiplying the unit weight of each material or component by its volume or area.
Live load: The live load is the load due to the intended use and occupancy of a structure. It includes the weight of the occupants (such as people, animals, etc.), the weight of the movable equipment (such as furniture, appliances, etc.), and the weight of any transient or variable loads (such as snow accumulation, roof ponding, etc.). The live load is usually specified by the building code or standard for different types of structures and occupancies. It may also be determined by using statistical methods or surveys based on actual usage or occupancy data.
Environmental load: The environmental load is the load due to the action of natural phenomena or events on a structure. It includes the wind load (the load due to the pressure or suction exerted by the wind on the surface of a structure), the snow load (the load due to the weight and shape of snow accumulation on a roof or other horizontal surface), the rain load (the load due to the weight and depth of water accumulation on a roof or other horizontal surface), the ice load (the load due to the weight and thickness of ice formation on a structure), the earthquake load (the load due to the inertial forces induced by ground motion on a structure), and the tsunami load (the load due to the impact or uplift forces exerted by a tsunami wave on a coastal structure).
Structural design criteria and procedures
The structural design criteria and procedures of ASCE 7-10 cover the criteria and methods for designing structures to resist different types of loads and load combinations. Some of these criteria and methods are:
Strength design: The strength design method is based on ensuring that the nominal strength or capacity of each structural element or connection exceeds or equals the required strength or demand obtained from the strength design load combinations. The nominal strength is calculated by applying a resistance factor to the nominal resistance or ultimate capacity of each element or connection. The resistance factor is a numerical coefficient that reflects the uncertainty or variability in the material properties, geometric dimensions, fabrication quality, testing methods, etc. of each element or connection.
the conservatism or reliability of the design assumptions, analysis methods, load factors, etc. of each element or connection.
Load and resistance factor design: The load and resistance factor design method is a variation of the strength design method that uses different load factors and resistance factors for different types of loads and resistances. The load factors are applied to the nominal loads to obtain the factored loads, and the resistance factors are applied to the nominal resistances to obtain the factored resistances. The factored loads and resistances are then compared to ensure adequate safety against failure or collapse.
Serviceability design: The serviceability design method is based on ensuring that the serviceability requirements of each structural element or connection are satisfied under the service level design loads. The serviceability requirements include limits on deflection, vibration, cracking, corrosion, etc. that affect the performance, functionality, durability, or aesthetics of the structure.
ASCE 7-10 Changes and Updates
New seismic maps and design spectra
One of the major changes in ASCE 7-10 is the introduction of new seismic maps and design spectra that reflect the latest seismic hazard information and models for the United States and its territories. The new seismic maps show the values of the maximum considered earthquake (MCE) ground motion parameters (such as spectral response acceleration) for different site classes and return periods. The new design spectra show the values of the design earthquake (DE) ground motion parameters (such as spectral acceleration) for different site classes and risk categories.
The new seismic maps and design spectra are based on the 2008 update of the USGS National Seismic Hazard Maps, which incorporate new data, methods, and models for estimating the probability, magnitude, location, and effects of earthquakes in different regions. The new seismic maps and design spectra also account for the effects of site conditions (such as soil type, depth, etc.) on ground motion amplification or attenuation.
The new seismic maps and design spectra result in significant changes in the seismic design forces and displacements for many structures in different regions. For example, some regions may experience an increase or decrease in the seismic design forces or displacements due to changes in the seismic hazard level or site class. Some regions may also experience a change in the seismic design category or risk category due to changes in the seismic hazard level or occupancy importance.
New wind speed maps and design pressures
Another major change in ASCE 7-10 is the introduction of new wind speed maps and design pressures that account for the effects of wind directionality, topography, and exposure on wind loads. The new wind speed maps show the values of the ultimate wind speed (Vult) for different risk categories and return periods. The new design pressures show the values of the nominal wind pressure (qz) for different wind zones and exposure categories.
the probability, magnitude, and direction of extreme wind events in different regions. The new wind speed maps also account for the effects of topography (such as hills, ridges, escarpments, etc.) on wind speed amplification or reduction.
The new design pressures are based on the 2009 update of the ASCE 7 Wind Loads Committee Report, which incorporates new data, methods, and models for estimating the pressure coefficients and gust factors for different types of structures and wind directions. The new design pressures also account for the effects of exposure (such as terrain roughness, surface irregularities, obstructions, etc.) on wind pressure variation or fluctuation.
The new wind speed maps and design pressures result in significant changes in the wind design forces and displacements for many structures in different regions. For example, some regions may experience an increase or decrease in the wind design forces or displacements due to changes in the wind speed level or directionality. Some regions may also experience a change in the wind design category or risk category due to changes in the wind speed level or occupancy importance.
New snow load provisions and maps
Another major change in ASCE 7-10 is the introduction of new snow load provisions and maps that consider the effects of snow density, drifting, unbalanced loading, and rain-on-snow surcharge on roof structures. The new snow load provisions and maps show the values of the ground snow load (pg) and the flat roof snow load (pf) for different risk categories and return periods.
The new snow load provisions and maps are based on the 2006 update of the ASCE 7 Snow Loads Committee Report, which incorporates new data, methods, and models for estimating the probability, magnitude, and distribution of snow accumulation on roofs in different regions. The new snow load provisions and maps also account for the effects of snow density (which depends on temperature, moisture content, compaction, etc.) on snow weight and shape.
The new snow load provisions and maps result in significant changes in the snow design forces and displacements for many roof structures in different regions. For example, some regions may experience an increase or decrease in the snow design forces or displacements due to changes in the ground snow load level or snow density. Some regions may also experience a change in the snow design category or risk category due to changes in the ground snow load level or occupancy importance.
New tsunami load provisions and maps
Another major change in ASCE 7-10 is the introduction of new tsunami load provisions and maps that provide guidance for designing structures in coastal areas subject to tsunami hazards. The new tsunami load provisions and maps show the values of the maximum considered tsunami (MCT) inundation depth (dMCT) and velocity (vMCT) for different risk categories and return periods.
the ASCE 7 Tsunami Loads and Effects Committee Report, which incorporates new data, methods, and models for estimating the probability, magnitude, and effects of tsunami waves on coastal structures in different regions. The new tsunami load provisions and maps also account for the effects of site conditions (such as bathymetry, topography, shoreline configuration, etc.) on tsunami wave propagation and inundation.
The new tsunami load provisions and maps result in significant changes in the tsunami design forces and displacements for many coastal structures in different regions. For example, some regions may experience an increase or decrease in the tsunami design forces or displacements due to changes in the MCT inundation depth or velocity. Some regions may also experience a change in the tsunami design category or risk category due to changes in the MCT inundation depth or occupancy importance.
New chapters on fire, rain, ice, and human-induced loads
Another major change in ASCE 7-10 is the addition of new chapters on fire, rain, ice, and human-induced loads that address the effects of these load types on structures. These chapters provide guidance for determining the magnitude and distribution of these loads for different types of structures and situations. Some of these loads are:
Fire load: The fire load is the load due to the thermal effects of fire on a structure. It includes the thermal expansion or contraction of structural elements, the reduction of material strength or stiffness due to elevated temperatures, and the deformation or failure of structural elements due to fire exposure.
Rain load: The rain load is the load due to the weight and depth of water accumulation on a roof or other horizontal surface. It includes the effects of ponding (the formation of water pools due to deflection or sagging of the roof), overflow (the spilling of water over the roof edges due to inadequate drainage), and leakage (the infiltration of water through cracks or openings in the roof).
Ice load: The ice load is the load due to the weight and thickness of ice formation on a structure. It includes the effects of glazing (the formation of a thin layer of ice on a smooth surface), rime (the formation of a rough layer of ice on a rough surface), and icing (the formation of a thick layer of ice on a surface exposed to freezing rain or spray).
Human-induced load: The human-induced load is the load due to the action of humans or human activities on a structure. It includes the effects of blast (the pressure or impulse exerted by an explosion), impact (the force or momentum imparted by a collision), vibration (the oscillation or fluctuation induced by machinery, traffic, etc.), and crowd (the pressure or movement exerted by a group of people).
ASCE 7-10 Free PDF Download
Benefits of downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free
the benefits of doing so. Some of the benefits are:
Cost saving: Downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free can save you a lot of money compared to buying a hard copy or an online subscription. The hard copy of ASCE 7-10 costs about $200, while the online subscription costs about $100 per year. By downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free, you can access the entire standard without paying anything.
Convenience: Downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free can also save you a lot of time and hassle compared to ordering a hard copy or accessing an online subscription. The hard copy of ASCE 7-10 may take several days or weeks to arrive, while the online subscription may require a login and password or a stable internet connection. By downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free, you can access the standard anytime and anywhere with a simple click.
Flexibility: Downloading ASCE 7-10 PDF for free can also give you more flexibility and options compared to using a hard copy or an online subscription. The hard copy of