ACI CODE 369.1-22 PDF

Full title and description

ACI CODE-369.1-22 (SI Units) — Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Concrete Buildings — Code and Commentary. This ACI Code provides consensus-based provisions, commentary, and technical guidance for the seismic evaluation and retrofit of existing reinforced concrete buildings, including criteria for material testing, modeling parameters, member-level acceptance criteria, and recommended retrofit strategies.

Abstract

This document establishes procedures and acceptance criteria to assess the seismic performance of existing reinforced concrete buildings and to design retrofits where required. It emphasizes concrete-related provisions (materials, members, and detailing), provides modeling parameters and testing requirements, and is intended to be used in conjunction with the ASCE/SEI 41 framework for existing-building seismic evaluation and retrofit. The edition is published in SI units and includes explanatory commentary to support professional application.

General information

• Status: Active (current ACI Code edition).
• Publication date: April 1, 2023 (document designation 369.1‑22 / SI Units).
• Publisher: American Concrete Institute (ACI).
• ICS / categories: 91.080.40 (Concrete structures); related to seismic/vibration protection 91.120.25.
• Edition / version: ACI CODE-369.1-22 (SI Units) — 2022 designation, published 2023.
• Number of pages: 129 pages (SI Units edition).

Scope

Provides evaluation procedures and retrofit design criteria for existing reinforced concrete buildings to address seismic deficiencies and to improve structural performance under earthquake loading. The Code covers material testing and acceptance criteria, component and system-level modeling parameters, member-level strength and ductility requirements, and recommended retrofit measures (for example, jacketing, added shear walls, or supplemental frames). It is intended for use by engineers performing ASCE 41-based evaluations and by jurisdictions and owners seeking consistent, technically grounded retrofit approaches.

Key topics and requirements

• Procedures for seismic evaluation of existing concrete buildings (deficiency-based and systematic approaches).
• Concrete material testing requirements and acceptance criteria for evaluation and retrofit design.
• Modeling parameters and recommended analytical practices for reinforced concrete elements and connections.
• Member-level strength, shear, and ductility requirements and retrofit detailing guidance.
• Retrofit strategies and measures (local strengthening, global system modification, supplemental elements) and commentary on applicability and limitations.
• Guidance intended to be used with ASCE/SEI 41 acceptance criteria and performance levels.

Typical use and users

Primary users are structural engineers and seismic retrofit designers working on the assessment and rehabilitation of existing reinforced concrete buildings. Other users include building officials, code reviewers, owners and facility managers evaluating retrofit needs, researchers studying seismic performance of concrete structures, and contractors implementing retrofit schemes. The Code is used for project-level evaluations, design of retrofit solutions, and as a technical reference for regulatory compliance where jurisdictions reference ASCE 41 and ACI provisions.

Related standards

Closely related to ASCE/SEI 41 (Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Buildings) — ACI 369.1 provides the concrete-specific provisions and modeling/acceptance criteria that ASCE 41 references. Other related documents include ACI 318 (design of new concrete structures), ACI 562 (evaluation, repair, and strength assessment of existing concrete structures), ASCE 7 (seismic loading criteria), and relevant FEMA/NEHRP guidance used in practice. These documents are commonly used together to develop evaluation and retrofit solutions.

Keywords

seismic evaluation, seismic retrofit, existing buildings, reinforced concrete, ACI 369.1-22, ASCE 41, material testing, modeling parameters, acceptance criteria, retrofit design, SI units.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ACI CODE-369.1-22 is the American Concrete Institute’s Code and Commentary for Seismic Evaluation and Retrofit of Existing Concrete Buildings (SI Units edition). It provides concrete-specific provisions, testing and modeling guidance, and acceptance criteria to support seismic assessment and retrofit projects.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers procedures for assessing seismic performance of existing reinforced concrete buildings, material testing and acceptance criteria, analytical modeling parameters for concrete members, member-level requirements (strength, shear, ductility), and recommended retrofit approaches with supporting commentary. The Code is intended to be used with ASCE/SEI 41 procedures and acceptance criteria.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural engineers, retrofit designers, building officials, owners, and researchers involved in seismic assessment and rehabilitation of existing concrete buildings are the primary users. It is also a reference for jurisdictions and agencies that adopt or reference technical standards for seismic retrofit.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The document designated 369.1‑22 (SI Units) is the current ACI Code edition published in 2023. Users should check for any errata or corrigenda issued after publication and confirm whether a newer ACI or complementary ASCE edition (for example ASCE 41 updates) has been released that affects cross-references or procedures.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. ACI 369.1 is part of ACI’s suite of Codes and complements other ACI and ASCE standards addressing concrete design, repair, and seismic evaluation (for example ACI 318, ACI 562, and ASCE/SEI 41). It functions as the concrete-specific companion to broader existing-building seismic standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: seismic evaluation, seismic retrofit, existing concrete buildings, reinforced concrete, modeling parameters, material testing, acceptance criteria, ASCE 41, performance levels, SI Units.