A Beginner's Guide to ASCE 7-10

Chapter 1 - General Information

© 2012, T. Bartlett Quimby

BGASCE7-10 Section 1.5

Additions & Alterations

Last Revised: 11/04/2014

ASCE 7-10 Section 1.6, while not discussed in the commentary, presents a basic principle that is applied by most building authorities.  That is, if an addition or alteration is made to a building, the whole building must be able to withstand the forces computed using the current Standard.  If the original structure cannot support the new loads, then it must be strengthened.

It is the nature of most load specifications that they have become more restrictive over time.  That is, as knowledge has increased, there have been changes to the standard, which in most cases has resulted in larger loads.  Building designed under a previous standard do not take advantage of these changes.  Expect in some specific cases, it is not generally required to update all structures with a change in the standard.  This would be virtually impossible.

The trigger for upgrading a building has been accepted as being when the building is to undergo some type of structural change.