ACI CODE 318-25 (SI Units) PDF

Full title and description

ACI CODE-318-25: Building Code for Structural Concrete — Code Requirements and Commentary (SI Units). The SI Units edition presents the 2025 ACI CODE‑318 technical requirements, commentary, appendices, and metric units throughout for design, detailing, evaluation, and construction of structural concrete in buildings and nonbuilding structures.

Abstract

ACI CODE‑318‑25 (SI Units) is the 2025 edition of ACI’s flagship reinforced-concrete design and construction code. It provides minimum requirements and explanatory commentary covering materials, analysis, design, detailing, construction documents, inspection, testing, anchorage and development of reinforcement, seismic and wind provisions, and new appendices (including a sustainability appendix and a performance-based wind design appendix). The 2025 release includes notable revisions to anchorage/post‑installed reinforcing bars, shear‑friction provisions, deep foundation requirements, and sustainability guidance.

General information

• Status: Published — current edition (ACI CODE‑318‑25).
• Publication date: Print release announced July 9, 2025 (digital/ACI 318 PLUS available in 2025).
• Publisher: American Concrete Institute (ACI).
• ICS / categories: Construction materials and concrete; ICS 91.100 (concrete and concrete products) / structural concrete standards.
• Edition / version: ACI CODE‑318‑25 (SI Units edition).
• Number of pages: Approximately 702 pages (SI Units edition — product listings show ~702 pp.).

Scope

Sets minimum requirements for the design, detailing, construction, inspection, and evaluation of structural concrete for buildings and applicable nonbuilding structures. Applies to cast‑in‑place, precast, plain, non‑prestressed, prestressed, shotcrete, and composite concrete systems; anchoring to concrete; development and splicing of reinforcement; serviceability and durability requirements; and alternative analysis and performance‑based design methods described in the appendices. The 2025 edition adds guidance for sustainability and resilience, and updates anchorage, shear, foundation, and seismic/wind provisions.

Key topics and requirements

• Material properties and specification requirements for concrete and reinforcement.
• Load combinations, strength reduction factors, and design-for-strength rules.
• Development length, splices, and revised requirements for post‑installed and mechanical reinforcement connections.
• Updated shear and shear‑friction provisions for members and foundations.
• Anchorage design, anchor testing, and documentation requirements.
• Deep foundation and seismic provisions refined across seismic design categories.
• Serviceability limits, deflection control, and durability requirements.
• New and revised appendices: sustainability guidance, performance‑based wind design, and nonlinear response history analysis guidance.
• Commentary material providing background, rationale, examples, and references for code provisions.

Typical use and users

Used by structural engineers, geotechnical engineers (for foundation interaction), design offices, contractors, fabricators, testing and inspection agencies, building officials, code adopters, educators, and researchers for design, review, detailing, and compliance verification of reinforced and prestressed concrete structures. The SI edition is specifically intended for jurisdictions and users specifying metric (SI) units.

Related standards

Commonly referenced with earlier ACI 318 editions (e.g., ACI 318‑19), ACI detailing guides and handbooks (ACI Detailing Manual, Reinforced Concrete Design Handbook), ACI standards on anchors and construction tolerances, ASCE 7 (loads), and applicable national/adopted building codes. Many design software packages and textbooks have updated implementations and commentary aligned to 318‑25.

Keywords

ACI 318, structural concrete, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, anchors, development length, shear friction, sustainability, performance‑based wind design, SI units, building code, commentary, ACI CODE‑318‑25.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ACI CODE‑318‑25 is the American Concrete Institute’s 2025 Building Code for Structural Concrete — Code Requirements and Commentary. The SI Units edition presents the same code and commentary with metric units throughout.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers minimum requirements for materials, design, analysis, detailing, construction documents, field inspection and testing, anchorage to concrete, reinforcement development and splicing, serviceability and durability, and includes updated appendices (e.g., sustainability and performance‑based wind design).

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural designers and engineers, contractors, building officials, inspectors, testing agencies, educators, and anyone responsible for the design, construction, review, or code adoption of concrete structures—especially where metric units are preferred or required.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: ACI CODE‑318‑25 is the current ACI CODE‑318 edition published in 2025 (print release announced July 9, 2025). As of February 19, 2026 this is the latest ACI CODE‑318 edition; earlier editions (for example 318‑19) are superseded for new-design reference where jurisdictions adopt 318‑25. Always confirm local code adoption dates and any amendments.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — ACI CODE‑318 is part of the ACI family of concrete standards and is published with companion documents (detail manuals, design handbooks, and related ACI standards). Editions are identified by year (e.g., 318‑14, 318‑19, 318‑25). The ACI 318 PLUS platform provides the digital/interactive editions.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Structural concrete, reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, anchors, development length, shear, sustainability, performance‑based design, SI units, ACI CODE‑318‑25.