ACI 437

Abstract

The scope, purpose, applicability, limitations, interpretation principles, and units of measure of "ACI Code Requirements and Commentary for Load Testing of Existing Concrete Structures," hereafter referred to as the "Code" are defined in this Chapter. <br>The "General Building Code" refers to the building code adopted in each jurisdiction. This Code supplements and is part of the General Building Code through reference. <br>The requirements of this Code shall govern for the evaluation of safety and serviceability of members in existing concrete structures by load testing, except as modified by the General Building Code. <br>In jurisdictions without a General Building Code, this Code provides minimum acceptable requirements for the evaluation of safety and serviceability of existing concrete structures by load testing. <br>The requirements of this Code shall apply to reinforced concrete with prestressed or nonprestressed reinforcement, or both. <br>Procedures and requirements provided in this Code are not applicable to existing structures having concretes with compressive strengths above 8000 psi unless permitted by the licensed design professional. <br><strong>purpose</strong> <br>The purpose of this Code is to establish the minimum requirements for the test load magnitudes, load test procedures, and acceptance criteria applied to existing concrete structures as part of an evaluation of safety and serviceability to determine whether an existing structure requires repair and rehabilitation, to verify the adequacy of repair and rehabilitation measures applied to an existing structure, or to provide for public health and safety. <br>The purpose of this Code is to establish minimum requirements for the strength evaluation of concrete structures to provide for public health and safety through structural safety and serviceability. <br>Load tests shall be conducted according to load test procedures as described in Chapter 5. <br>All references in this Code to the "licensed design professional" shall be understood to mean persons who are licensed to practice structural design in the jurisdiction where this Code is being used. The licensed design professional for a project is responsible for and in-charge of the evaluation of safety and serviceability. <br>A licensed design professional must possess sound engineering knowledge and experience, and exercise judgment when interpreting and applying this Code.