ASCE 7-16, titled Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, is a standard developed by the American Society of Civil Engineers. It provides guidelines for determining the minimum loads that buildings and other structures must be designed to withstand, including dead, live, soil, flood, wind, snow, rain, ice, earthquake, tsunami, and fire loads. It also includes provisions for load combinations and criteria for structural design.

The primary purpose of ASCE 7-16 is to ensure the safety, reliability, and durability of buildings and structures by specifying minimum design loads. It aims to:

• Establish uniform criteria for structural design across various hazard types.
• Provide engineers with tools to assess load combinations for realistic scenarios.
• Enhance public safety by ensuring structures can withstand environmental and operational loads.
• Facilitate compliance with building codes such as the International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 5000.

ASCE 7-16 is intended for:

• Structural engineers designing buildings or other structures.
• Architects involved in structural planning.
• Construction professionals and contractors.
• Building officials responsible for code enforcement.
• Researchers and educators in civil engineering.

ASCE 7-16 provides detailed criteria for the following load types:

• Dead Loads: Permanent static forces from structural elements.
• Live Loads: Temporary or movable forces such as occupants or furniture.
• Soil Loads: Pressures exerted by soil on foundations or retaining walls.
• Flood Loads: Forces from water due to flooding events.
• Wind Loads: Pressures caused by wind acting on structures.
• Snow Loads: Accumulated weight of snow on roofs or other surfaces.
• Rain Loads: Water accumulation from heavy rainfall events.
• Ice Loads: Weight of ice accumulation on structures.
• Earthquake Loads: Forces generated by seismic activity.
• Tsunami Loads: Impact of tsunami waves on coastal structures.
• Fire Loads: Heat-related forces affecting structural integrity.

ASCE 7-16 plays a critical role in ensuring structural safety by:

1. Providing a consistent framework for calculating design loads across multiple hazard types.
2. Aligning with modern building codes like the IBC (2018 edition) to streamline compliance processes.
3. Incorporating the latest research and hazard data to improve accuracy and reliability in structural design.

ASCE 7-16 is widely adopted into major building codes in the United States, including:

• The International Building Code (IBC)
• The International Residential Code (IRC)
• The NFPA 5000 Building Construction and Safety Code
  It serves as a referenced standard within these codes, meaning compliance with ASCE 7 is often required to meet local building regulations.

Key features include:

1. Updated hazard maps (e.g., seismic, wind, snow) based on the latest research.
2. New provisions for tsunami-resistant design in coastal areas like Alaska, Hawaii, and California.
3. Expanded guidance on load combinations using Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD) or Allowable Stress Design (ASD).
4. Detailed commentary explaining the application of provisions and their technical background.

Load combinations are critical because they account for multiple simultaneous forces acting on a structure. For example:

1. Wind pressure combined with live loads on a roof.
2. Earthquake forces combined with dead loads in a building's foundation system.
   ASCE 7 provides both LRFD and ASD methods to calculate these combinations accurately.

ASCE typically updates this standard every six years to incorporate advancements in research, technology, and hazard data. ASCE 7-16 supersedes ASCE 7-10 as the latest version adopted into modern building codes.

The commentary included in ASCE 7-16 provides:

1. Explanations of code provisions to aid understanding and application.
2. Background information on why specific requirements were developed.
3. Practical examples that help engineers implement provisions effectively.

For the first time, ASCE 7 includes a dedicated chapter on tsunami-resistant design. This chapter provides guidance on assessing tsunami risks and designing structures to withstand wave impacts in vulnerable coastal areas such as Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and California.

While not inherently mandatory, compliance with ASCE 7 becomes required when it is referenced by local building codes or project specifications. Many jurisdictions adopt it as part of their regulatory framework through the IBC or other codes

ASCE 7-16 introduces significant updates across multiple hazard categories, including wind, seismic, tsunami, snow, and rain loads. Key changes include:

• New wind speed maps with separate maps for Risk Categories III and IV.
• Introduction of a new chapter on tsunami loads and effects.
• Revised seismic design provisions, including updated hazard maps and site coefficients.
• Updated snow load provisions with new ground snow load tables for specific states.
• Improved rain load criteria with simplified procedures for drainage and ponding.

The wind load provisions in ASCE 7-16 include several important updates:

• New Wind Speed Maps: Separate maps for each Risk Category (I-IV), including specific maps for the Hawaiian Islands.
• Partially Open Building Classification: A new classification added to account for buildings that do not fit standard enclosure categories.
• Rooftop Solar Panels: New design criteria for wind loads on rooftop-mounted photovoltaic arrays.
• Bins, Silos, and Tanks: Revised criteria for these structures under wind loads.
• Rooftop Equipment: Expanded requirements for rooftop equipment design to ensure stability under wind pressure.
• Component and Cladding Pressures: Updated tables and figures providing revised pressure coefficients.

ASCE 7-16 introduces a brand-new chapter on tsunami loads (Chapter 6), which includes:

• Tsunami hazard maps covering coastal regions such as Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, and California.
• Design criteria for structures in tsunami-prone areas, including inundation depths and flow velocities.
• Guidance on structural systems and materials to resist tsunami forces.

These provisions are based on data from recent tsunamis in Chile (2010) and Japan (2011).

Seismic design provisions in ASCE 7-16 have been extensively updated:

• Updated Hazard Maps: Reflecting the latest seismic risk data across the U.S.
• Revised Site Coefficients: Adjustments to Fa and Fv values based on soil properties.
• New Analysis Methods: Expanded guidance on nonlinear dynamic analysis and updated Equivalent Lateral Force (ELF) procedures.
• Structural Walls: Enhanced requirements for detailing structural walls in high seismic regions.

The snow load provisions in ASCE 7-16 include:

• New Ground Snow Load Tables: Added for seven states to reduce site-specific studies.
• Snow Density Considerations: Provisions addressing how snow density changes throughout the winter season.
• Air-Supported Structures: New guidance for calculating snow loads on air-supported buildings.
• Photovoltaic Arrays: Updated criteria for snow accumulation on rooftop solar panels.

Rain load provisions in ASCE 7-16 have been simplified and enhanced:

• Simplified Rain Duration Provisions: Easier calculations for determining rain loads based on drainage area and head-flow relationships.
• Ponding Loads: Improved guidance on accounting for ponding effects due to blocked or inadequate drainage systems.

The new "Partially Open Building" classification provides a more accurate way to assess wind pressures on buildings that do not fit traditional fully enclosed or open classifications. This change helps engineers better account for unique building designs.

ASCE 7-16 includes specific provisions for rooftop-mounted solar panels:

• Guidance on calculating wind pressures specific to solar arrays.
• Considerations for edge zones and exposed modules to ensure proper anchoring and stability.

ASCE has developed several tools and resources to support practitioners:

1. ASCE 7 Hazard Tool: A web-based platform providing location-specific hazard data (e.g., seismic, wind, tsunami).
2. Supporting Guides: Detailed guides covering wind, seismic, tsunami, snow, and rain load provisions with real-world examples.
3. Commentary Sections: In-depth explanations of code provisions included within the standard.

Yes, ASCE 7-16 includes updated atmospheric icing hazard maps. These revisions provide more accurate data for designing structures exposed to ice accumulation.

While ASCE 7-16 primarily applies to new construction, its updated hazard data may influence evaluations or retrofits of existing buildings. For example, increased accuracy in wind or seismic design criteria could necessitate adjustments during renovations or upgrades.

Adopting ASCE 7-16 ensures compliance with modern building codes like the International Building Code (IBC) 2018 edition. It incorporates the latest research and hazard data, improving safety and reliability in structural design. Many jurisdictions mandate its use through local building code adoption.