ACI 318-02 contains the current code requirements for concrete building design and construction. The companion commentary (318-02) is in a side-by-side column format to match the corresponding code requirements. The commentary explains new or revised provisions that may be unfamiliar to code users. It also includes comments for some items contained in previous editions of the code to make the commentary independent of the commentary for ACI 318-99. ACI 318 continues to be adopted by US and international code bodies and is a must-have standard for all concrete design, construction, inspection, repair, and research professionals.

ACI 318-02 contains many significant revisions to ACI 318-99, including:

• Inclusion of the ASCE load factors, and a related revision to the strength-reduction factors. This change allows engineers to apply the same load factors to both steel and concrete designs.
• A new strut-and-tie appendix that provides a rational analysis and design approach to areas of nonlinearity.
• A new anchorage to concrete appendix, giving general provisions for calculating embedment capacity for a wide variety of anchoring situations.
• A strain-based upper reinforcement limit, replacing the maximum limits based on the section's reinforcement ratio. This creates a seamless code approach to limits for cases - such as with some pretensioned members - where the main tension reinforcement is located away from the tension face.

The code portion of this document covers the proper design and construction of buildings of structural concrete. The code has been written in such form that it may be adopted by reference in a general building code, and earlier editions have been widely used in this manner.

Among the subjects covered are: drawings and specifications; inspection; durability requirements; concrete quality; mixing and placing; formwork; embedded pipes; construction joints; reinforcement details; analysis and design; strength and serviceability; flexural and axial loads; shear and torsion; development and splices of reinforcement; slab systems; walls; footings; precast concrete; composite flexural members; prestressed concrete; shells and folded plate members; strength evaluation of existing structures; special provisions for seismic design; and structural plain concrete, The code also includes an alternate design method in Appendix A; unidentified design provisions in Appendix B; and alternative load and strength reduction factors in Appendix C.

The quality and testing of materials used in construction are covered by reference to the appropriate ASTM standard specifications. Welding of reinforcement is covered by reference to the appropriate ANSI/AWS standard.

Because the ACI Building Code is written as a legal document so that it may be adopted by reference in a general building code, it cannot present background details or suggestions for carrying out its requirements or intent. It is the function of this commentary to fill this need.

The commentary discusses some of the considerations of the committee in developing the code with emphasis given to the explanation of new or revised provisions that may be unfamiliar to code users.

References to much of the research data referred to in preparing the code are cited for the user desiring to study individual questions in greater detail. Other documents that provide suggestions for carrying out the requirements of the code are also cited.