Design Provisions for Structural Steel Members and Connections According to Popular Codes and Standards: A Comparative Review and Study

Abstract

Structures around the world are designed and constructed using different construction materials. However, the use of structural steel has been increasing significantly, especially in countries that used concrete historically and other material such as masonry and wood. Codes and standards are used to design structural elements and connections according to the geographical location and regional and local jurisdictions around the world. This review and study provides a comprehensive review and comparison of the provisions for structural steel elements and connections. This study provides design professionals and researchers around the world with similarities and differences among the different codes, which allows design professionals who practice around the globe to easily use different code provisions and researchers to identify differences that would trigger research that would bridge the gap between the different codes and standards. The comparison is presented graphically and in tabulated formats to allow for quick and clear similarities and differences. Similarities were found among many limit states, but differences were found in the factors that are applied to the different limit states and in the buckling curves and buckling parameters.