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Serviceability Requirements AISC Chapter L: For Beams
Serviceability Requirements AISC Chapter L: For Beams
AISC Chapter L
• AISC provides limited guidance (see attached pages from the specification)
DEFLECTIONS
For beams:
Current practice:
CHAPTER L
DESIGN FOR SERVICEABILITY
User Note: Serviceability limit states, service loads, and appropriate load combi-
nations for serviceability requirements can be found in ASCE/SEI 7, Appendix C
and Commentary to Appendix C. The performance requirements for serviceabil-
ity in this chapter are consistent with those requirements. Service loads, as
stipulated herein, are those that act on the structure at an arbitrary point in time
and are not usually taken as the nominal loads.
L2. CAMBER
Where camber is used to achieve proper position and location of the structure, the
magnitude, direction and location of camber shall be specified in the structural
drawings.
L3. DEFLECTIONS
Deflections in structural members and structural systems under appropriate service
load combinations shall not impair the serviceability of the structure.
L4. DRIFT
Drift of a structure shall be evaluated under service loads to provide for serviceabil-
ity of the structure, including the integrity of interior partitions and exterior cladding.
Drift under strength load combinations shall not cause collision with adjacent struc-
tures or exceed the limiting values of such drifts that may be specified by the
applicable building code.
L5. VIBRATION
The effect of vibration on the comfort of the occupants and the function of the struc-
ture shall be considered. The sources of vibration to be considered include pedestrian
loading, vibrating machinery and others identified for the structure.
User Note: For the design of slip-critical connections, see Sections J3.8 and J3.9.
For more information on connection slip, refer to the RCSC Specification for
Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts.
In practice, camber is usually designed to compensate for the dead loads. In such
a case, the beam should approximately deflect to a straight line under dead loads.
NOTES:
The amount of cambering will depend on the beam size and yield
strength. Common values are ¾” to 1-1/2” for spans up to about 40 ft.
Larger values may be difficult to achieve without damaging (local
buckling) the beam (consult with the fabricator).