Ingeniero Industrial

AISC 303-05

Code of Standard Practice
for Steel Buildings
and Bridges
March 18, 2005
Supersedes the March 7, 2000 AISC Code of Standard Practice
for Steel Buildings and Bridges and all previous versions.
Prepared by the American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. under
the direction of the AISC Committee on the Code of Standard
Practice and issued by the AISC Board of Directors.AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION, INC.
One East Wacker Drive, Suite 3100, Chicago, Illinois 60601-2000

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Copyright © 2005
by
American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof
must not be reproduced in any form without
the written permission of the publisher.
The information presented in this publication has been preparedin accordance with
recognized engineering principles and is for general information only. While it is
believed to be accurate, this information should not be used or relied upon for any
specific application without competent professional examination and verification of its
accuracy, suitability and applicability by a licensed engineer, architect or other
professional. The publication of thematerial contained herein is not intended as a
representation or warranty on the part of the American Institute of Steel Construction,
Inc. or of any other person named herein, that this information is suitable for any
general or particular use or of freedom from infringement of any patent or patents.
Anyone making use of this information assumes all liability arising from such use.
Cautionmust be exercised when relying upon other specifications and codes developed
by other bodies and incorporated by reference herein since such material may be
modified or amended from time to time subsequent to the printing of this edition. The
American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. bears no responsibility for such material
other than to refer to it and incorporate it by reference at thetime of the initial
publication of this edition.
Printed in the United States of America

Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges, March 18, 2005
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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PREFACE
As in any industry, trade practices have developed among those that are involved in the
design, purchase, fabrication and erection of structural steel. This Codeprovides a useful
framework for a common understanding of the acceptable standards when contracting for
structural steel. As such, it is useful for owners, architects, engineers, general contractors,
construction managers, fabricators, steel detailers, erectors and others that are associated
with construction in structural steel. Unless specific provisions to the contrary are
contained in thecontract documents, the existing trade practices that are contained herein
are considered to be the standard custom and usage of the industry and are thereby
incorporated into the relationships between the parties to a contract.
The Symbols and Glossary are an integral part of this Code. In many sections of
this Code, a non-mandatory Commentary has been prepared to provide background and
furtherexplanation for the corresponding Code provisions. The user is encouraged to
consult it.
Since the first edition of this Code was published in 1924, AISC has
continuously surveyed the structural steel design community and construction industry to
determine standard trade practices. Since then, this Code has been periodically updated to
reflect new and changing technology and industrypractices.
The 2000 edition was the fifth complete revision of this Code since it was first
published. The 2005 edition is not a complete revision but does add several important
changes and updates. It is the result of the deliberations of a fair and balanced
Committee, the membership of which included six structural engineers, two architects,
one code official, one general contractor, eight...