ACI CODE-318-25 Building Code for Structural Concrete — Code Requirements and Commentary
Buy ACI CODE-318-25 Building Code for Structural Concrete — Code Requirements and Commentary, the current ACI structural concrete code for reinforced concrete design, detailing, construction
About this publication
The ACI CODE-318-25 Building Code for Structural Concrete — Code Requirements and Commentary is the American Concrete Institute’s flagship structural concrete standard and one of the most important working references for structural engineers, designers, building officials, contractors, inspectors, educators, and professionals responsible for reinforced and prestressed concrete construction.
Developed by ACI Committee 318 through a consensus process, the 2025 edition establishes minimum requirements for the materials, design, detailing, construction, inspection, and evaluation of structural concrete buildings and, where applicable, nonbuilding structures. It addresses structural systems, members, and connections involving cast-in-place concrete, precast concrete, shotcrete, plain concrete, nonprestressed reinforcement, prestressed construction, and composite systems.
ACI CODE-318-25 is far more than a calculation reference. It establishes requirements used throughout the structural design process, including strength, serviceability, durability, structural analysis, load combinations, load factors, strength reduction factors, reinforcement development and splicing, anchorage to concrete, deflection control, construction documentation, field inspection, and testing. Commentary accompanying the code requirements provides background and additional explanation to help engineers understand the intent and technical basis behind many provisions.
The 2025 edition introduces significant technical updates over ACI CODE-318-19. ACI highlights a new sustainability and resilience appendix, revised provisions for post-installed reinforcing bars, enhanced requirements for shear friction, and advancements relating to seismic and wind design. These changes make the 2025 edition especially important for firms updating structural design standards, internal engineering libraries, calculation procedures, and project specifications.
The code also includes specialized provisions that support advanced structural analysis and performance-based design. Appendix A addresses design verification using nonlinear response history analysis, Appendix B addresses performance-based wind design, and Appendix C addresses sustainability and resilience. These sections extend the usefulness of ACI 318 beyond routine reinforced-concrete design into increasingly important areas of modern structural engineering.
One reason ACI 318 carries so much weight in engineering practice is that it is specifically written so its requirements can be adopted by reference within general building codes. Earlier editions have been widely used in this manner, making familiarity with ACI 318 essential for engineers and other professionals working with code-regulated structural concrete construction.
At 702 pages, ACI CODE-318-25 is a substantial professional reference containing both enforceable code requirements and extensive commentary. For structural concrete work, this is not merely another engineering handbook to leave on a shelf. It is a core design and compliance reference used to support decisions affecting structural strength, serviceability, durability, construction quality, and public safety.
Why This Code Matters
ACI CODE-318-25 is an essential reference for professionals responsible for the design, review, construction, and inspection of structural concrete. It is particularly valuable for:
Structural and civil engineers
Concrete design professionals
Architects and engineering consultants
Building officials and plan reviewers
Contractors and concrete construction firms
Special inspectors and testing agencies
Engineering students and educators
Government agencies and institutional engineering departments
Structural and construction standards libraries
Product Features
Official 2025 edition of ACI CODE-318
Developed by ACI Committee 318
Covers minimum requirements for structural concrete buildings and applicable nonbuilding structures
Addresses cast-in-place, precast, shotcrete, plain, nonprestressed, prestressed, and composite construction
Covers strength, serviceability, durability, structural analysis, and detailing
Includes requirements for load combinations, load factors, and strength reduction factors
Addresses development and splicing of reinforcement
Covers mechanical and adhesive anchoring to concrete
Includes construction-document, field-inspection, and testing provisions
Includes methods for evaluating the strength of existing structures
Adds updated requirements for post-installed reinforcing bars
Includes enhanced shear-friction provisions
Incorporates advances in seismic and wind design
Includes Appendix A — Nonlinear Response History Analysis
Includes Appendix B — Performance-Based Wind Design
Includes Appendix C — Sustainability and Resilience
Technical changes from ACI CODE-318-19 are identified by change bars in the print and PDF versions
Product Details
Title: ACI CODE-318-25 Building Code for Structural Concrete — Code Requirements and Commentary
Publisher: American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Author: ACI Committee 318
Edition: 2025
Published: January 2025
ISBN: 978-1-64195-309-2
Number of Pages: 702
Language: English
Units: Inch-Pound (I-P)