ERECTION 16.

3-47

Commentary:
In editions of this Code previous to the 2005 edition, it was stated that “…varia-
tions are deemed to be within the limits of good practice when they do not exceed
the cumulative effect of rolling tolerances, fabricating tolerances and erection toler-
ances.” It is recognized in the current provision in this Section that accumulations
of mill tolerances and fabrication tolerances generally occur between the loca-
tions at which erection tolerances are applied, and not at the same locations.

7.13. Erection Tolerances

Erection tolerances shall be defined relative to member working points and working
lines, which shall be defined as follows:
(a) For members other than horizontal members, the member work point shall be the
actual center of the member at each end of the shipping piece.
(b) For horizontal members, the working point shall be the actual centerline of the
top flange or top surface at each end.
(c) The member working line shall be the straight line that connects the member
working points.
The substitution of other working points is permitted for ease of reference, provided
they are based upon the preceding definitions.
The tolerances on structural steel erection shall be in accordance with the require-
ments in Sections 7.13.1 through 7.13.3.

Commentary:
The erection tolerances defined in this Section have been developed through long-
standing usage as practical criteria for the erection of structural steel. Erection
tolerances were first defined in the 1924 edition of this Code in Section 7(f),
“Plumbing Up.” With the changes that took place in the types and use of materials
in building construction after World War II, and the increasing demand by archi-
tects and owners for more specific tolerances, AISC adopted new standards for
erection tolerances in Section 7(h) of the March 15, 1959 edition of this Code.
Experience has proven that those tolerances can be economically obtained.
Differential column shortening may be a consideration in design and construc-
tion. In some cases, it may occur due to variability in the accumulation of dead load
among different columns (see Figure C-7.1). In other cases, it may be characteristic
of the structural system that is employed in the design. Consideration of the effects
of differential column shortening may be very important, such as when the slab
thickness is reduced, when electrical and other similar fittings mounted on the
structural steel are intended to be flush with the finished floor, and when there is
little clearance between bottoms of beams and the tops of door frames or ductwork.

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16.3-48 ERECTION

Fig. C-7.1. Effects of differential column shortening.

The effects of the deflection of transfer girders and trusses on the position
of columns and hangers supported from them may be a consideration in design
and construction. As in the case of differential column shortening, the deflec-
tion of these supporting members during and after construction will affect the
position and alignment of the framing tributary to these transfer members.
Expansion and contraction in a structural steel frame may be a considera-
tion in design and construction. Steel will expand or contract approximately

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
 ERECTION 16.3-49

1
/8 in. per 100 ft for each change of 15°F (2 mm per 10 000 mm for each
change of 15°C) in temperature. This change in length can be assumed to act
about the center of rigidity. When anchored to their foundations, end columns
will be plumb only when the steel is at normal temperature (see Figure C-7.2).
It is therefore necessary to correct field measurements of offsets to the struc-
ture from established baselines for the expansion or contraction of the exposed
structural steel frame. For example, a 200-ft-long (60 000-m-long) building
that is plumbed up at 100°F (38°C) should have working points at the tops of
the end columns positioned 1/2 in. (14 mm) further apart than the working
points at the corresponding bases in order for the columns to be plumb at 70°F
(21°C). Differential temperature effects on column length should also be taken
into account in plumbing surveys when tall structural steel frames are sub-
jected to sun exposure on one side.
The alignment of lintels, spandrels, wall supports and similar members that
are used to connect other building construction units to the structural steel
frame should have an adjustment of sufficient magnitude to allow for the accu-
mulation of mill tolerances and fabrication tolerances, as well as the erection
tolerances. See Figure C-7.3.

7.13.1. The tolerances on position and alignment of member working points and working
lines shall be as described in Sections 7.13.1.1 through 7.13.1.3.

7.13.1.1. For an individual column shipping piece, the angular variation of the working line
from a plumb line shall be equal to or less than 1/500 of the distance between work-
ing points, subject to the following additional limitations:
(a) For an individual column shipping piece that is adjacent to an elevator shaft,
the displacement of member working points shall be equal to or less than 1
in. (25 mm) from the established column line in the first 20 stories. Above
this level, an increase in the displacement of 1/32 in. (1 mm) is permitted for
each additional story up to a maximum displacement of 2 in. (50 mm) from
the established column line.
(b) For an exterior individual column shipping piece, the displacement of member
working points from the established column line in the first 20 stories shall be
equal to or less than 1 in. (25 mm) toward and 2 in. (50 mm) away from the
building exterior. Above this level, an increase in the displacement of 1/16 in.
(2 mm) is permitted for each additional story up to a maximum displacement
of 2 in. (50 mm) toward and 3 in. (75 mm) away from the building exterior.

Commentary:
The limitations that are described in this Section and illustrated in Figures
C-7.4 and C-7.5 make it possible to maintain built-in-place or prefabricated
facades in a true vertical plane up to the 20th story, if connections that pro-
vide for 3 in. (75 mm) of adjustment are used. Above the 20th story, the
facade may be maintained within 1/16 in. (2 mm) per story with a maximum
total deviation of 1 in. (25 mm) from a true vertical plane, if connections that

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16.3-50 ERECTION

Fig. C-7.2. Tolerances in plan location of column.

Fig. C-7.3. Clearance required to accommodate fascia.

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 ERECTION 16.3-51

provide for 3 in. (75 mm) of adjustment are used. Connections that permit
adjustments of plus 2 in. (50 mm) to minus 3 in. (75 mm)—a total of 5 in.
(125 mm)—will be necessary in cases where it is desired to construct the
facade to a true vertical plane above the 20th story.

(c) For an exterior individual column shipping piece, the member working points
at any splice level for multi-tier buildings and at the tops of columns for sin-
gle-tier buildings shall fall within a horizontal envelope, parallel to the
exterior established column line, that is equal to or less than 11/2 in. (38 mm)
wide for buildings up to 300 ft (90 000 mm) in length. An increase in the
width of this horizontal envelope of 1/2 in. (13 mm) is permitted for each addi-
tional 100 ft (30 000 mm) in length up to a maximum width of 3 in. (75 mm).

Commentary:
This Section limits the position of exterior column working points at any
given splice elevation to a narrow horizontal envelope parallel to the exte-
rior established column line (see Figure C–7.6). This envelope is limited
to a width of 11/2 in. (38 mm), normal to the exterior established column
line, in up to 300 ft (90 000 mm) of building length. The horizontal loca-
tion of this envelope is not necessarily directly above or below the
corresponding envelope at the adjacent splice elevations, but should be
within the limitation of the 1 in 500 plumbness tolerance specified for the
controlling columns (see Figure C-7.5).

(d) For an exterior column shipping piece, the displacement of member working
points from the established column line that is nominally parallel to the
building exterior shall be equal to or less than 2 in. (50 mm) in the first 20
stories. Above this level, an increase in the displacement of 1/16 in. (2 mm) is
permitted for each additional story up to a maximum displacement of 3 in.
(75 mm) in the direction nominally parallel to the building exterior.

7.13.1.2. For members other than column shipping pieces, the following limitations shall apply:
(a) For a member that consists of an individual, straight shipping piece without
field splices, other than a cantilevered member, the variation in alignment
shall be acceptable if it is caused solely by variations in column alignment
and/or primary supporting member alignment that are within the permissible
variations for the fabrication and erection of such members.
(b) For a member that consists of an individual, straight shipping piece that con-
nects to a column, the variation in the distance from the member working
point to the upper finished splice line of the column shall be equal to or less
than plus 3/16 in. (5 mm) and minus 5/16 in. (8 mm).
(c) For a member that consists of an individual shipping piece that does not con-
nect to a column, the variation in elevation shall be acceptable if it is caused
solely by the variations in the elevations of the supporting members within
the permissible variations for the fabrication and erection of those members.

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16.3-52 ERECTION

Fig. C-7.4. Clearance required to accommodate accumulated column tolerance.

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 ERECTION 16.3-53

Fig. C-7.5. Exterior column plumbness tolerances normal to building exterior.

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16.3-54 ERECTION

Fig. C-7.6. Tolerances in plan at any splice elevation of exterior columns.

(d) For a member that consists of an individual, straight shipping piece and that
is a segment of a field assembled unit containing field splices between points
of support, the plumbness, elevation and alignment shall be acceptable if the
angular variation, vertically and horizontally, of the working line from a
straight line between points of support is equal to or less than 1/500 of the
distance between working points.

Commentary:
The angular misalignment of the working line of all fabricated shipping
pieces relative to the line between support points of the member as a
whole in erected position must not exceed 1 in 500. Note that the toler-
ance is not stated in terms of a linear displacement at any point and is not
to be taken as the overall length between supports divided by 500. Typical
examples are shown in Figure C-7.7. Numerous conditions within toler-
ance for these and other cases are possible. The condition described in (d)
applies to both plan and elevation tolerances.

(e) For a cantilevered member that consists of an individual, straight shipping

piece, the plumbness, elevation and alignment shall be acceptable if the
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 ERECTION 16.3-55

Fig. C-7.7. Alignment tolerances for members with field splices.

angular variation of the working line from a straight line that is extended in
the plan direction from the working point at its supported end is equal to or
less than 1/500 of the distance from the working point at the free end.

Commentary:
This tolerance is evaluated after the fixed end condition is sufficient to
stabilize the cantilever and before the temporary support is removed. The
preset specified in the contract documents should be calculated accord-
ingly. The temporary support cannot be used to induce artificial deflection
into the cantilever to meet this tolerance after the fixed end is restrained.

(f) For a member of irregular shape, the plumbness, elevation and alignment
shall be acceptable if the fabricated member is within its tolerances and the
members that support it are within the tolerances specified in this Code.
(g) For a member that is fully assembled in the field in an unstressed condition,
the same tolerances shall apply as if fully assembled in the shop.
(h) For a member that is field-assembled, element-by-element, in place, tempo-
rary support shall be used or an alternative erection plan shall be submitted
to the owner’s designated representatives for design and construction. The
tolerance in Section 7.13.1.2(d) shall be met in the supported condition with
working points taken at the point(s) of temporary support.

Commentary:
Trusses fabricated and erected as a unit or as an assembly of truss segments

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16.3-56 ERECTION

normally have excellent controls on vertical position regardless of fabri-

cation and erection techniques. However, a truss fabricated and erected by
assembling individual components in place in the field is potentially more
sensitive to deflections of the individual truss components and the par-
tially completed work during erection, particularly the chord members. In
such a case, the erection process should follow an erection plan that
addresses this issue.

7.13.1.3. For members that are identified as adjustable items by the owner’s designated
representative for design in the contract documents, the fabricator shall provide
adjustable connections for these members to the supporting structural steel frame.
Otherwise, the fabricator is permitted to provide nonadjustable connections.
When adjustable items are specified, the owner’s designated representative for
design shall indicate the total adjustability that is required for the proper align-
ment of these supports for other trades. The variation in the position and alignment
of adjustable items shall be as follows:
(a) The variation in the vertical distance from the upper finished splice line of
the nearest column to the support location specified in the structural design
documents shall be equal to or less than plus or minus 3/8 in. (10 mm).
(b) The variation in the horizontal distance from the established finish line at the
particular floor shall be equal to or less than plus or minus 3/8 in. (10 mm).
(c) The variation in vertical and horizontal alignment at the abutting ends of
adjustable items shall be equal to or less than plus or minus 3/16 in. (5 mm).

Commentary:
When the alignment of lintels, wall supports, curb angles, mullions and simi-
lar supporting members for the use of other trades is required to be closer than
that permitted by the foregoing tolerances for structural steel, the owner’s
designated representative for design must identify such items in the contract
documents as adjustable items.

7.13.2. In the design of steel structures, the owner’s designated representative for design
shall provide for the necessary clearances and adjustments for material furnished
by other trades to accommodate the mill tolerances, fabrication tolerances and
erection tolerances in this Code for the structural steel frame.

Commentary:
In spite of all efforts to minimize inaccuracies, deviations will still exist; there-
fore, in addition, the designs of prefabricated wall panels, partition panels,
fenestrations, floor-to-ceiling door frames, and similar elements must provide
for clearance and details for adjustment as described in Section 7.13.2. Designs
must provide for adjustment in the vertical dimension of prefabricated facade

Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges, June 15, 2016
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION