Serviceability Codes for Steel Framed Structures: A Review

The present position regarding the treatment of deflection limits for serviceability design of steel frame buildings in codes and standards worldwide is reviewed. Whilst numerous criteria exist, these have been found to be spread diversely through codes, conference papers, journal articles, committee review documents and technical reports, or are simply the customary practice of individual engineers. The bases for such criteria and, in particular, their links to actual in-service performance, are often difficult to identify. It is concluded that, when compared with design for ultimate limit state, serviceability aspects are much less well developed. A major deficiency is firstly the linking serviceability loading, the model on which the design calculations are performed, and the deflection limits into a coherent package and, secondly, establishing the relationship of this design task with actual performance.