This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura

l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte
nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite
structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati
ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.
This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste
nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing
the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:
Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)

Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic
response characteristics of each structural system
Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10
This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura
l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte
nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite
structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati
ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.
This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste
nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing

the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:
Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)
Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic
response characteristics of each structural system
Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10
This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura
l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte
nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite
structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati
ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.
This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste

nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing
the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:
Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)
Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic
response characteristics of each structural system
Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10
This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura
l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte
nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite
structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati
ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.

This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste
nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing
the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:
Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)
Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic
response characteristics of each structural system
Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10
This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura
l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte
nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite

structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati

ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.
This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste
nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing
the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:
Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)
Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic
response characteristics of each structural system
Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10
This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura
l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte

nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite
structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati
ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.
This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste
nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing
the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:
Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)
Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic

response characteristics of each structural system

Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10
This Preface is not a part of ANSI/AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structura
l Steel
Buildings, but is included for informational purposes only.
The AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-10) is inte
nded
to cover common design criteria. Accordingly, it is not feasible for it to also
cover all of the
special and unique problems encountered within the full range of structural desi
gn practice.
This document, the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/
AISC
341-10) (hereafter referred to as the Provisions) is a separate consensus standa
rd that
addresses one such topic: the design and construction of structural steel and co
mposite
structural steel/reinforced concrete building systems for high-seismic applicati
ons.
A list of Symbols and a Glossary are part of this document. Terms that appear in
the
Glossary are generally italicized where they first appear in a sub-section, thro
ughout these
Provisions. A nonmandatory Commentary with background information is also provid
ed.
Nonmandatory user notes are interspersed throughout these Provisions to provide
guidance
on the application of the document.
This edition of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings was d
eveloped
in concert with both ANSI/AISC 360-10 and ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads fo
r
Buildings and Other Structures. This will allow these Provisions to be incorpora
ted by reference
into the 2012 IBC, which will use ASCE/SEI 7-10 as its basis of design for loadi
ngs.
Some of the most significant modifications to this edition of these Provisions a
re related
to format. The organization of the chapters has been changed to be more consiste
nt with that
of ANSI/AISC 360-10. In the 2005 edition, these Provisions separated the require
ments for
structural steel buildings from that of composite structural steel/reinforced co
ncrete construction
into two parts. In this edition of the Provisions, Part I and Part II have been
combined into one document. In addition, each structural system is presented in
a unified
manner with parallel headings that will ease comparison of requirements between
systems
and application of the document. A Cross Reference listing is provided comparing
the 2010
to the 2005 version of the Provisions.
A number of significant technical modifications have also been made since the 20
05 edition
of these Provisions, including the following:

Clarifying the intended combination of this document with the provisions of ACI
318
for composite construction systems
Establishing a new chapter on analysis requirements that applies to all systems
Adding terms to clearly identify the level of ductile response capable of variou
s members
in the seismic force resisting system (SFRS)
Adding language to clarify the design of members and connections that are not pa
rt of
the SFRS for deformation compatibility
Including a discussion of the Basis of Design that explains the intended seismic
response characteristics of each structural system
Improving the consistency, clarity and completeness of how each structural syste
m
treats all aspects of the seismic design and detailing
Adding requirements for two cantilever column systems to be consistent with othe
r
systems in these Provisions and the seismic design parameters ASCE/SEI 7-10