Lesson 1Interpreting code changes: reading code change documents, errata, and amendment adoption schedulesThis section covers how to read IBC and standard change documents, track errata and supplements, interpret state and local amendments, and incorporate adoption schedules into project planning, QA procedures, and design assumptions for better understanding in Ghanaian practice.
Locating ICC code change and errata documentsReading legislative and agency adoption languageTracking state and local amendment packagesAssessing impact of changes on ongoing projectsUpdating office templates and calculation toolsLesson 2Identifying the primary building code: International Building Code (IBC) — locating edition, understanding adoption by state/local jurisdictionsThis section explains how to identify the controlling IBC edition for a project, track state and local adoptions, and verify which supplements, referenced standards, and effective dates apply to a 4–6 storey reinforced concrete building, adapted for Ghanaian engineers.
Finding adopted IBC editions by jurisdictionChecking effective dates and grace periodsCoordinating IBC with fire and energy codesConfirming referenced standards in Chapter 35Documenting code basis on drawings and specsLesson 3Concrete design standard: ACI 318 — editions, strength and serviceability requirements, material specificationsThis section explains how ACI 318 governs concrete design, covering applicable editions, strength and serviceability provisions, material requirements, detailing rules, and coordination with IBC and ASCE 7 for mid-rise reinforced concrete buildings in Ghanaian applications.
Identifying the ACI 318 edition referenced by IBCStrength design, load factors, and phi factorsServiceability: deflection and crack controlMaterial specs for concrete and reinforcing steelDetailing beams, slabs, columns, and wallsLesson 4Code compliance workflow: how codes affect permit submittals, calculations, drawings, and inspectionsThis section presents a practical workflow linking codes to permitting, calculations, drawings, and inspections, including code analysis narratives, design checklists, submittal coordination, and responses to plan review comments for mid-rise concrete buildings in Ghana.
Preparing a project code analysis summaryIntegrating code checks into structural designCoordinating architectural and structural submittalsResponding to plan review and correction noticesSupporting special inspections and field changesLesson 5Wind design standards and resources: ASCE 7 wind provisions, ASCE/SEI 7 maps, ASCE RP guides for wind, FEMA wind-resilient guidanceThis section details wind design for mid-rise concrete buildings using ASCE 7, including wind speed maps, exposure categories, importance factors, MWFRS and component pressures, and FEMA guidance for enhanced wind resilience, relevant to Ghanaian coastal areas.
Selecting basic wind speed and risk categoryDetermining exposure and topographic factorsMWFRS and component and cladding pressuresSpecial wind regions and local wind studiesUsing FEMA guidance for wind resilienceLesson 6Local amendments and state codes: finding state or city amendments (California, Washington, Florida examples) and how to reconcile conflictsThis section explains how to locate and apply state and local amendments, using examples from California, Washington, and Florida, and provides methods to resolve conflicts between base IBC, state codes, and municipal ordinances for Ghanaian adaptation.
Finding state building code and amendment textsUsing California, Washington, and Florida examplesReconciling conflicts between IBC and state codesAddressing stricter local seismic or wind rulesDocumenting amendment use in project recordsLesson 7Seismic design standards and guidelines: ASCE 7 seismic provisions, ASCE/SEI 41 (Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit) where applicableThis section addresses seismic design using ASCE 7 and, where relevant, ASCE 41, including seismic hazard parameters, site class, response spectra, system selection, detailing requirements, and retrofit considerations for existing buildings in Ghana.
Determining Ss, S1, and site class parametersDeveloping design response spectra from ASCE 7Selecting seismic force-resisting systemsDetailing ductile concrete elements per ACI 318Overview of ASCE 41 evaluation and retrofit levelsLesson 8References and update sources: official code bodies (ICC, ASCE, ACI), code update cycles and how to track them onlineThis section identifies key organizations that publish structural codes and standards, explains update cycles for ICC, ASCE, and ACI documents, and shows how to monitor online resources, newsletters, and committees for upcoming changes in Ghanaian practice.
Roles of ICC, ASCE, ACI, and state agenciesUnderstanding typical code and standard cyclesUsing online portals, newsletters, and alertsMonitoring committee activity and public ballotsMaintaining an internal office reference libraryLesson 9Structural loading standard: ASCE 7 — editions, seismic vs wind provisions, maps and load calculationsThis section focuses on ASCE 7 structural loading, explaining editions, load combinations, gravity, wind, and seismic provisions, use of maps and tables, and practical calculation workflows for 4–6 storey reinforced concrete buildings in Ghana.
Selecting the controlling ASCE 7 editionDead, live, roof, and snow load determinationLoad combinations for strength and serviceabilityUsing wind and seismic maps and parametersDocumenting load paths and calculation summaries
