Aisc 325 Steel Construction Manual May 2026

The AISC 325 Steel Construction Manual is the "Bible" of the structural steel industry. Far from just a dry collection of tables, it is a massive compendium (the latest 16th Edition is over 2,400 pages) that bridges complex engineering theory with the physical reality of building with steel. 

Final Warning: Always confirm which edition is adopted by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) for your specific project. When in doubt, default to the latest edition (currently 16th Ed.), but keep a copy of AISC 325 for legacy work.

Design Aids & Member Selection (Parts 3–15): Contains tabulated capacities for flexural, compression, and tension members, as well as extensive guidance on connections like bolts and welds. aisc 325 steel construction manual

The 15th edition of the AISC 325 Steel Construction Manual, published in 2017, includes several significant changes, including:

Part 3: Connections

“The manual doesn’t negotiate,” she said.

"I’m stuck on the bolt shear," Elias admitted. "I’m trying to use A325 bolts for the beam-to-column flange connection, but the loads from the wind are pushing the limits." The AISC 325 Steel Construction Manual is the

But four feet on a cantilever changed everything. It changed the moment connection at Column G-7. It changed the live load deflection from L/360 to something closer to a trampoline. And if she didn’t check it tonight, the concrete pour was scheduled for 6:00 AM.