Lecture Notes: Design Documents in Civil and Architectural Engineering

Overview

• Focus on design documents used by civil and architectural engineers.
• Thousands of different codes, standards, and specifications exist.

Types of Design Documents

1. Codes
   • Set of rules/regulations ensuring safety in new constructions.
   • Example: Building code for railings and safety provisions.
2. Standards
   • Requirements for products, e.g., Bluetooth standards.
   • In structural context: ASTM standards for properties of materials like steel.
3. Specifications
   • Provisions for the design of specific structures.
   • Examples: AISC for steel structures, ACI for concrete.

Historical Context

• Concern for safety dates back to ancient laws, e.g., Code of Hammurabi (1772 BC).
• Modern codes condense vast technical knowledge for practical engineering applications.

Research and Development

• Research in engineering can be laboratory-based or through simulations.
• Often funded by governments, trade organizations, or private corporations.
• Results used to update codes, standards, and specifications.

Development of Codes and Specifications

• Developed as consensus documents by committees of experts (academics, engineers, etc.).
• Building codes regulate new construction with a focus on safety and structural adequacy.
• Adoption by local governments gives them legal standing.

Building Codes

• Model Codes: Formerly three in the US (UBC, BOCA, SBC) with regional focuses.
• International Building Code (IBC): Developed to unify and replace model codes.
  • Established minimum regulations, open for adoption internationally.
  • Provisions should protect health and safety without increasing costs or restricting innovations.

Standards

• Defined by organizations like ASTM International.
• Specify conditions, performance, and quality for materials and systems in construction.
• Examples: ASTM standards for steel quality and strength.

Specifications

• Considered recommended practices by technical associations.
• Invoked by reference in building codes (e.g., ACI 318 for concrete).

Hierarchy of Documents

• Example: Cincinnati's building codes referencing IBC, which then refer to ASCE and ACI standards.
• For bridges, Ohio DOT's specifications reference AASHTO standards.

Additional Entities

• OSHPD (California): Oversees hospitals' design for stringent safety.
• FM Global (Insurance): Provides specifications for higher performance beyond basic safety.

Conclusion

• Building codes, standards, and specifications are crucial for civil and architectural projects.
• They are consensus-driven and serve to balance cost with life safety.