Limit States Design of Steel Structures in Canada

Following an extensive educational program and the provision of the necessary design aids, Canada's national design standard for limit states design of steel structures for buildings, CAN3 S16.1-M78, is being used to design structures with greater economy and more uniform safety than before. The standard, developed over a period of 5 yr, was first introduced in 1974. Steel designs are now considerably more cost competitive with weight savings of up to 10% or more as compared to working stress design. Students learn the same methodology for steel and reinforced concrete design. The limit states format leads to simplification and greater understanding by users. Designers are made more aware of structural behavior and the need for checking both ultimate (strength) and serviceability limit states. Building structures up to 40 storys high with many types of framing and steel masses up to 40,000 tonnes have been built. In 1985, after 10 yr of parallel use with the working stress design standard, only the limit states design standard will be referenced in the National Building Code of Canada.