Aci 117-90 Spec. For Tolerance of Conc. Const.& Material

Standard Specifications for Tolerances for
Concrete Construction and Materials (AC1117-90)

Reported by AC1 Committee 117
W. Robert Little Russell S. Fling

Chairman Chairman, Editorial Subcommittee
S.Allen Face, III Andrawos Morcos B. J. Pointer

Thomas C . Heist Clark B. Morgan, Jr. Dean E. Stephan, Jr.*
Richard A. Kaden Harry M. Palmbaum Eldon Tipping
Ross Martin William S. Phelan Carl S. Togni
Peter Meza Joe V. Williams, Jr.
This specjfication provides standard tolerances for concrete con- PREFACE TO SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST
struction. This document is intended to be used as the reference doc- P l . Standard Specification 117 is intended to be used
ument for establishing tolerancesfor concrete construction by speci-
fication writers and ACI committees writing Standards,
in its entirety by reference in the Project Specification.
Individual sections, articles, or paragraphs should not
be copied into the Project Specifications since taking
them out of context may change their meaning.
Keywords: bending (reinforcing steels); building codes; concrete construction;
concrete piles; concretes; floors; formwork (construction); masonry; mass con- P2. Building codes establish minimum requirements
crete; piers; precast concrete; prestressed concrete; reinforcing steels; specifi- necessary to protect the public. Some of the require-
cations; splicing; standards; tolerances (mechanics). ments in this Standard Specification may be more
stringent than the minimum in order to insure the level
of quality and performance that theOwner expects the
FOREWORD structure to provide. Adjustments to the needs of a
Fl. This foreword is included for explanatory pur- particular project should be made by the Architect/En-
poses only; it is not a part of Standard Specification gineer by reviewing each of the items in the Specifica-
117. tion Checklist and then including the Architect/Engi-
F2. Standard Specification 117 is a Reference Stan- neer’s decision on each item as a mandatory require-
dard which the ArchitectIEngineer may cite in the ment in the Project Specifications.
Project Specifications for any construction project, to- P3. These mandatory requirements should designate
gether with supplementary requirements for the spe- the specific qualities, procedures, materials, and per-
cific project. formance criteria for which alternatives are permitted
This standard is not intended to apply to special or for which provisions were not made in the Standard
structures not cited in the standard such as nuclear re- Specification. Exceptionsto the StandardSpecification
actors and containmentvessels, bins and silos, and pre- should be made in the Project Specifications, if re-
stressed circular structures. It is also not intended to quired.
apply to the specialized construction procedure of P4. A statement such as the following will serve to
shotcrete. make Standard Specification AC1 117 an official part
F3. Standard Specification117 addresses each of the of the Project Specifications:
Three-Part Section Format of the Construction Speci- Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Mate-
fications Institute, organized by structural elements, rials shall conform toall requirementsof AC1 117,
structural components and .types of structures; the Standard Specifications for Tolerances for Con-
numbering system reflects this organization. The lan- crete Construction and Materials, published by the
guage is imperative and terse to preclude an alterna- American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Michigan,
tive. except as modified by the requirements of these
F4. A Specification Checklistis included as a preface Contract Documents.
to, but not forming a part of, Standard Specification
117. The purpose of this Specification Checklist is to Adopted as a Standard of the American Concrete Institute in November 1989
assist the ArchitecUEngineer in properlychoosing and in accordance with the Institute’s standardization procedures.
Copyright O 1990, American Concrete Institute. AU rights reserved, includ-
specifying the necessary mandatory and optional re- ing the making of copla unless pemussion is obtained from thecopyrlght pro-
prietors.
quirements for the Project Specification. *Chairman during initial development of this document.
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117-1
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117.2 AC1 STANDARD
P5. The Specification Checklist that follows is ad- Checklist consists of two columns; the first identifies
dressed to each item of the Standard Specification the sections, parts, -and articles of the Standard Speci-
where the ArchitecVEngineer must or may make a fication and the second column contains notes to the
choice of alternatives; may add provisions if not indi- ArchitecUEngineer to indicate the type of action re-
cated; or may take exceptions. The Specification quired by the Architect/Engineer.
MANDATORY SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST

Section/Part/Article Notes to the Architect/EnQineer
Section 2-Materials
2.2-Reinforcement Tolerances for fabrication, placement, and lap splices for weldedwire fabric
must be specified by the specifier.
Section 3-Foundations
3. l . 1 Drilled piers Specify category of caisson. The designer should be aware that the recom-
mended vertical alignment tolerance of1.5 percent of the shaft length indicated
in Category B caissons is basedon experience in a wide variety of soil situations
combined with a limited amount of theoretical analysis using the beamon elas-
tic foundation theoryand minimum assumed horizontal soil restraint.
Section 4-Cast-in-place
concrete for buildings
4.5.4 Form offsets Designate class of surface (A, B, C, D):
Class A - For surfaces prominently exposed to public view where appearance
is of special importance.
Class B - Coarse-textured concrete-formed surfaces intended to receive plas-
ter, stucco, or wainscoting.
Class C - General standard for permanently exposed surfaces where other fin-
ishes are not specified.
Class D - Minimum quality surface where roughness is not objectionable, usu-
ally applied where surfaces will be concealed.
4.5.5 Floor finish Specify floor finish tolerance measurement method (either Section4.5.6 or Sec-
tion 4.5.7).
4.5.5.1 For Section Designate floor classification (15/13; 20/15; 30/20; or, 50/30).
4.5.6
4.5.5.2 For Section Designate maximum gap under a freestanding straightedge (?hin., in., %6 in.,
4.5.7 or ?hin.).
OPTIONAL SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST

Section 1 - General
l . 1.2 Scope Tolerance values affect construction cost. Specific use of a toleranced item may
warrant less or more stringent tolerancesthan contained in the specification. Such
variances must be individually designated by the specifier in the contract docu-
ments.
l . 1.2 Scope Tolerances in this specification are for standard concrete construction and con-
struction procedures. Specialized concrete construction or construction procedures
require specifier to include specialized tolerances. AC1 committee documents cov-
ering specialized construction may provide guidanceon specialized tolerances.
The tolerances in this Specificationdo not apply to special structures or procedures
not cited in the document such as nuclear reactors and containment vessels, bins
and silos, circular prestressed concrete tank structures and shotcrete.
1.2.3 Requirements Where a specific application uses multiply toleranced items that together yield a
toleranced result, the specifier must analyze the tolerance envelope with respect to
COPYRIGHT 2002; ACI International (American Concrete Institute)
practical limits and design assumptions and specify its value where the standard
Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bechtel Corp/9999056100, User=, 07/25/2002
tolerances values in this specification
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TOLERANCES 117.3
OPTIONAL SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST, continued

Section 2 - Materials
2.2.2 Concrete cover The tolerance for reduction in cover in reinforcing steel may require a reduction in
magnitude where the reinforced concrete is exposed to chlorides or the environ-
ment. Where possible excess cover or other protection of the reinforcing steel
should be specified in lieu of reduced tolerance because of the accuracy of locating
reinforcing steel utilizing standard fabrication accessories and installed procedures.
2.3.2 Embedded items Tolerance given is for general application. Specific design use of embedded items
may require the specifierto designate tolerances of reduced magnitude for various
embedded items.
Section 3 - Cast-in-place
concrete for foundations
3.4.1.2 Footings Plus tolerance for the vertical dimensions is not specified because no limit is im-
posed. Specifier must designate plus tolerance if desired.
Section 4 - Cast-in-place
concrete for buildings
4.5.5 Floor finish The procedures for specifying and measuring floor finish tolerances set forth herein
are not appropriate for narrow aisle warehouse floors with defined traffic lanes de-
signed for useby specialized wheeled equipment. Consult specific equipment man-
ufacturers for their recommendations.
Section 5 - Precast
concrete The tolerances for precast concrete are intended to apply to all types of precast
concrete construction cast onsite(including tilt-up) and offsite except as set forth
below. Variationsto these tolerances may be advisable after consideration of panel
size and construction techniques required.
ToIerances set forth herein are not intended to apply to plant production of pa-
tented or copyrighted structural systems and/or elements. Designers, specifiers and
contractors should contact the Licensorsof such systems and/or products for ap-
plicable tolerances.
5.1.4 Camber For members with a span-to-depth ratio equal to or exceeding 30, the stated cam-
ber tolerance may require special production measures and result in cost premi-
ums. Where feasible, a greater tolerance magnitude should be utilized where the
span-to-depth ratio is equal to or greater than 30.
5.3 Planer Industrial precast products may not conform to the planar tolerances. Manufac-
elements turers should be consulted for appropriate tolerances for their products.
CONTENTS Section 4 - Cast-in-place concretefor buildings,

Section 1 - General, p. 117.4 p. 117-9
1.1 - Scope 4.1 - Vertical alignment
1.2 - Requirements 4.2 - Lateral alignment
1.3 - Definitions 4.3 - Level alignment
4.4 - Cross-sectional dimensions
Section 2 - Materials, p. 117-6
2.1 - Reinforcing steel fabrication
4.5 - Relative alignment
4.6 - Openings through members
2.2 - Reinforcementplacement
2.3 - Placement of embedded items Section 5 - Precast concrete, p. 117-10
2.4 - Concrete batching 5.1 - Fabrication tolerances in linear elements except piles
2.5 - Concrete properties 5.2 - Fabrication tolerances for piles
5.3 - Fabrication tolerances in planar elements
Section 3 - Foundations, p. 117.8
3.1 - Vertical alignment
5.4 - Erection tolerances
3.2 - Lateral alignment

3.3 - Level alignment
Section 6 - Masonry, p. 117-11
COPYRIGHT 2002; ACI International - Cross-sectional
3.4(American Concrete Institute) dimensions Document provided6. -Licensee=Bechtel
by2IHS Lateral alignment
Corp/9999056100, User=, 07/25/2002
3.5 - Relative alignment Policy Management 3 -atLevel
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117.4 AC1 STANDARD
6.4 - Cross-sectional dimensions 1.2.3 Tolerances are not cumulative. The most re-
6.5 - Relative alignment strictive tolerance controls.
1.2.4 Plus (+) tolerance increases the amount or di-
Section 7 -
Cast-in-place,vertically slipfarmed mension to which it applies, or raises a level alignment.
structures, p. 117.11 Minus (- ) tolerance decreases the amount or dimen-
7.2 - Lateral alignment sion to which it applies, or lowers a level alignment. A
7.3 - Cross-sectional dimensions nonsignedtolerancemeans or +
Whereonlyone-.
7.4 - Relative alignment signed tolerance is specified (+ or - ), there is no limit
in the otherdirection.
Section 8 -
Mass concrete structures other than
buildings, p. 117.1 1
1.3 - Definitions
Arris - The line, edge, or hip in which two straight
8.4 -
Relative alignment or curved surfaces of a body, forming an exterior an-
gle, meet; a sharp ridge, as between adjoining channels
Section 9 - Canal lining, p. 117-11
of a Doric column.
Bowing - The displacement of the surface of a
9.2 - Level alignment planar element from a plane passing through any three
9.3 - Cross-sectiohal dimensions corners of the element.
Clear distance - In reinforced concrete, the least
Section 10 - Monolithic siphons and culverts, p. distance between the surface of the reinforcement and
117-11 the referenced surface, Le., the form, adjacent rein-
10.2 - Level alignment forcement, embedment, concrete, or other surface.
10.3 - Cross-sectional dimensions Concealed surface -“Surface not subject to visual
observation during normal useof the element.
Section 11 - Cast-in-placebridges, p. 117.12
Contract documents - The project contract, the
project drawings, and theproject specifications.
11.2 - Lateral alignment Cover - In reinforced concrete, the least distance
-
11.3 Level alignment between the surface of the reinforcement and the outer
11.4 - Cross-sectional dimensions
11.S - Relative alignment surface of the concrete.
Flatness - The degree to which a surface approxi-
Section 12 - Pavement and sidewalks, p. 117-12 mates a plane.
Lateral alignment - The location relative to a spec-
12.2 - Level alignment ified horizontal line or point in ahorizontal plane.
Level alignment - The location relative to a speci-
Section 13 - Chimneys and cooling towers, p. fied horizontal plane. When applied t o roadways,
117-12 bridge decks, slabs, ramps, or other nominally hori-
13.1 - Vertical alignment zontal surfaces established by elevations, level align-
13.2 - Diameter ment is defined as the vertical location of the surface
13.3 - Wall thickness
relative to the Specified profile grade and specified cross
Section 14 - Cast-in-place nonreinforced pipe, slope.
Levelness - The degree to which a line or surface
p. 117.12
14.1 - Wall thickness parallels horizontal.
14.2 - Pipe diameter Precast linear element - Beam, column, or similar
14.3 - Offsets unit.
14.4 - Indentations Precast planar element - Wall panel, floor panel, or
similar unit.
Project Specifications - The building specifications
SECTION 1 -
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS which employ AC1117 by reference, and which serve as
1.1 - Scope the instrument for making the mandatory and optional
1.1.1 This specification designates standard toler- selections available under these and for specifying items
ances for concrete construction. not covered herein,
1.1.2 The indicated tolerances govern unless other- Relative alignment - The distance between two or
wise specified, more elements in any plane, or the distance between
adjacent elements, or the distance between an element
1.2- Requirements and a defined point orplane.
1.2.1 Concrete construction shall meet the specified SpiraZ - As used in circular stave silo construction,
tolerances. is defined as the distortion that results when the staves
1.2.2 Tolerances shall not extend the structure be- are Document
misaligned so that their edges are inclined while
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yond legal boundaries. their outer
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TOLERANCES 117.5
appears twisted with the vertical jointsbecoming long- 2. The range of variation permitted in maintaining
pitch spirals. a specified dimension.
Specified surface, plane, or line - A surface, plane, 3. A permitted variation from location or align-
or line specified by the contract documents; specified ment.
planes and lines may slope and specified surfaces may Vertical alignment - The location relative to speci-
have curvature. fied vertical plane ora specified vertical line or from a
Tolerance - line or plane referenceto a vertical lineor plane. When
l . The permitted variation from given
a dimension applied to battered walls, abutments or other nearly
or quantity. vertical surfaces, vertical alignment is defined as the
"Ic 4
STRAIGHT
2'
2B 2
IS~METRICVIEW
STANDEE
(ISOMETRIC VIEW)
SAW-CUT ENDS
FOR END BEARING
SPLICES
$r$
Maximum deviation from "square" to
the end 12 in. of the bar (Bar Size
IV2 deg.fcfsholl
#8-#II) be:spllce
compressien
4 d e g . f ~tension splice
for butt splices1
Fig. 2.1(a) - Standard fabricatitîg tolerances for bar sizes #3 through #Il
A C 1 337 90 Obb2747 0034374 L M
117-6 AC1 STANDARD
o o o
B
LAPrK
o o o o @
OZ
SPIRAL
o @
NOTES: TOLERANCE SYMBOLS:
Entireshearingandbendingtolerancesarecustomarilyab- 1. Bar Sizes #3, #4, #5:
sorbed in the extension past thelast bend in a bentbar. = plus or minus % in. when gross bar length < 12 ft
All tolerances single plane and as shown. Tolerances for Types = plus or minus 1 in. when gross bar length P 12 ft
S1 through S6,S11, and TI through T9 apply only the Bar Sizes 2. Plus or minus 1 in.
#3 through # 8 . 3. Plus O, minusin.
*Dimensions on this line are to be within tolerance shown, but 4. Plus or minus % in.
are not to differ from opposite parallel dimension more than in. 5. Plus or minus 1/2 in. for diameter S 30 in.
Angular deviation-Maximum plus or minus 2% deg or plus or Plus or minus 1 in. for diameter > 30 in.
minus % in. perft, but not less than * h in., on all90-deg hookiand 6 . Plus or minus 1.5 percent of o dimension L plus or minus 2 in.
bends. minimum. If application of positive tolerance to Type 9 results
in a chord length equal to or greater thanthe arc or bar length,
the bar may be shipped straight.
Fig. 2.I(a) - Standard fabricating tolerances for bar sizes #3 through # I I
horizontal location of the surface relative to the speci- SECTION 2 - MATERIALLS

fied profile,
Warping - The displacement of thesurface,por- 2.1 - Reinforcing steel fabrication
tion,
COPYRIGHT orInternational
2002; ACI edge of a planar
(American element from a plane passing
Concrete Institute) For
Documentbars #3by IHS
provided and # 11 in Corp/9999056100,
Licensee=Bechtel size, see Fig. 2.l(a).
User=, 07/25/2002
through any three cornersof the element. bars #14

For and #18 in
Policy Management Group at 1-800-451-1584. size, see Fig. 2.l(b).
TOLERANCES 117.7
c * 4
TYPICAL
ANGULAR
o -F.
c9 7 o DEVIATION
ALL 90.
HOOKS AND
7 7
t y + BENDSSHOWN
ON THIS PAGE
0-
NOTES:
o(10) 4 "--.M TOLERAhCE SYMBOLS:
Maximum deviation from "square" to the end
12 in. of the bar (BurSim #14,#18)
shall be:
1% degfor
splice
compression
4 deg.for tension splice 1(saw-cut ends only,

for butt splices)
Entireshearingandbendingtolerancesarecustomarilyab- #14 #18

sorbed in the extension past the last bendin a bent bar. 7. Plus or minus 2% in. 3 % in.
~
All tolerances single plane and as shown. 8. Plus or minus 2 in. 2 in.
Angular deviation-Maximum plus or minus 2% deg or plus or 9.Plus or minus 1% in. 2 in.
minus '/2 in. per ft on all go-deg hooks and bends. 10. Plus or minus
2 percent X o dimension 2 22% in.+ ~ 3 in?
%
min. min.
Fig. 2.1(b) - Standard fabricating tolerances for bar sizes #14 and #18
-
2.2 Reinforcement placement 2.2.3 Concrete cover measured perpendicular to con-
2.2.1 Tolerances shall not permit a reduction in cover crete surface in direction of tolerance
except as set forth in Section 2.2.2 hereof. When member size is 12 in. or less ...... - % in.
2.2.2 Clear distance to side forms and resulting con- When member size is over 12 in. ......... - % in.
crete surfaces and clear distance to formed and result- Reduction in cover shall not exceed one-third
ing concrete soffits in direction of tolerance specified concrete cover.
When member size is 4 in. or less ........ + % in. Reduction in coverto formed soffitsshall not
........ - % in. exceed ....................................................... Vi in.
When member size is over 4 in. but not over 12 2.2.4 Distance between reinforcement:
...................................................
in. % in. One-quarter specified distance not to exceed
When member size is over 12 in. but not over 2 ......................................................... 1 in.
....................................................
ft Concrete Institute)
COPYRIGHT 2002; ACI International (American % in. Providing that distance between
Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bechtel Corp/9999056100, User=, 07/25/2002
reinforcement
When member size is over 2 ft. ................
1 Policy
in. Management Group at shall not be less than the greater of the bar di-
1-800-451-1584.
117-8 AC1 STANDARD
ameter or 1 in. for unbundled bars. 2.2.8 Embedded length of bars and length of bar
For bundled bars, the distance between bun- laps:
dles shall not be less than the greater of 1 in. or
1.4 times the individual bar diameter for 2 bar
#3 through #11 bar sizes ......................
- 1 in,
#14 and #18 bar sizes (embedment only) - 2 in.
bundles, 1.7 times the individual bar diameter 2.2.9 Bearing plate forprestressng tendons, devia-
for 3 bar bundles and 2times the individual bar tion from specified plane.. .......................... 1 degree
diameter for 4 barbundles.
2.2.5 Spacing of nonprestressed reinforcement, de-
viation from specified location 2.3 -Placement of embedded items
In slabs and walls other than stirrups and ties 2.3.1 Clearance to reinforcement the greater of the
..........................................................
3 in. bar diameter or ............................................. 1 in.
Stirrups .....
depth of beam in inched12 X 1 in. 2.3.2 Vertical alignment, lateral alignment, and level
Ties alignment.. ...................................................
1 in.
.......
least width of column in inched12 X 1 in.
However, total number of bars shall not be less
than that specified. 2.4 -
Concrete batching
2.2.6 Placement of prestressing reinforcement or See Table 2.4.
prestressing steel ducts
2.2.6.1 Lateral placement 2.5 -Concrete properties
Member depth (or thickness) 24 in. or less 2.5.1 Slump, where specified as “maximum ” or “‘not
.......................................................
?h.in. to exceed, ” f o r all values.............................. + O in.
Member depth (or thickness)over 24 in. ....1 in. Specified slump 3 in. or less .............. - 1% in.
2.2.6.2 Verticalplacement Specified slump more than 3 in. ......... - 2% in.
Member depth (or thickness) 8 in. or less Slump, when specified as a single value
.......................................................
?4 in. Specified slump 4 in. or less .................... 1 in.
Member depth (or thickness) over 8 in. but not Specified slump more than 4 in.. ........... 1% in.
over 24 in ..........................................
% in. Where range is specified there is no tolerance.
Member depth (or thickness) more than 24 2.5.2 Air content, where no range is specified and
in ....................................................
% in. specified air content by volume is 4 percent or
2.2.1 Longitudinal location of bends and ends of greater................................................ 1% percent
bars: Where range is specified, thereis no tolerance.
At discontinuous ends of members ...........1 in.
At other locations ................................ .2 in.
SECTION 3 -
FOUNDATIONS
3. l.1 Drilled piers
Table 2.4 3.1.1.1 Category A - For unreinforced shafts ex-
Material Tolerance tending through materials offering no or
Cementitious materials minimal lateral restraint (i.e., water, nor-
30% of scale capacity or greater 1% of cumulative weight
Less than 30% of scale capacity +
- 0% to 4% of the required mally consolidated organic soils, and soils
cumulative weight that might liquefy during an earthquake)
Water
Added water or ice 1% of the total water content
- 12.5 percent of shaft diameter.
which includes added water, 3.1.1.2 Category B - For unreinforced shafts ex-
ice, and water on aggregates
’ Total water content 3% of total water content
tending through materials offering lateral
restraint (soils other than those indicated
Aggregates
a) Cumulative batching in Category A) - not more than 1.5 per-
Over 30% of scale capacity 1% of the required cumulative cent of the shaft length.
weight
30% of scale capacity or less 0.3% of scale capacity or 3% 3.1.1.3 Category C - For reinforced concrete
of the required cumulative shafts - not more than2.0 percent of the
weight, whichever is less
b) Individual material batching 2% of the required weight shaft length.
Admixtures 3% of the reauired amount

3.2.1 Footings
I MinimumF.
F, number reouired
As cast to thecenter of gravity as specified; 0.02
Floor profile quality Test area I
Minimum local F number
times width of footing in direction of misplace-
classification I I
FlatnessF, Level FL Flatness FE Level FL I
Conventional
Bullfloated
Strainhtedned
I ;I I ;; 1 f; I 10
10
ment but not more than........................
Supporting masonry
3.2.2 Drilled piers
............................
.2 in.
% in.
Flat I 30 I
20 I 15 I 10
3.2.2.1
Document ofLicensee=Bechtel
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than
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TOLERANCES 117-9
3.3 -Level alignment 4.4 -Cross-sectionaldimensions

3.3.1 Footings 4.4.1 Members, such as columns, beams, piers, walls
3.3.1.1 Top of footings supporting masonry % in. (thickness on&), and slabs (thickness on&)
3.3.1.2 Top of other footings ................
+ % in. 12 in. dimension orless .................... + W in.
..................- 2 in. .................... - % i n .
3.3.2 Drilled piers More than 12 in. dimension but not over 3 ft di-
3.3.2.1 Cut-off elevation ........................ + 1 in. mension ....................................... + % in.
........................ - 3 in. ....................................... - W in.
Over 3 ft dimension .......................... + 1 in.
3.4 -Cross-sectionaldimensions ........................ - % i n .
3.4.1 Footings
3.4.1.1 Horizontal dimension of formed members 4.5 - Relative alignment
............................................. 2 in. + 4.5.1 Stairs
............................................ - % i n . Difference in height between adjacent risers
3.4.1.2 Horizontal dimension of unformed mem- ....................................................... '/S in.
bers cast against soil Difference in width between adjacent trends
2 ft. orless ....................................... + 3 in. ....................................................... '/4 in.
..................................... - % in. 4.5.2 Grooves
Greater than 2ft. but less than 6 ft.. ......+ 6 in. Specified width 2 in. orless ..................
'/S in.
..... - % in. Specified width more than 2 in. but not more
Over 6 ft ........................................ + 12 in. than 12 in. ........................................ % in.
....................................... -?h in. 4.5.3 Formed surfaces may slope with respect to the
3.4.1.3 Vertical dimension (thickness) - 5 percent specified plane at a rate not to exceed the following
amounts in 10 f t
3.5 -Relative alignment 4.5.3.1 Vertical alignment of outside corner of ex-
3.5.1 Footing side and top surfaces may slope with posed corner columns and control joint
respect to thespecified plane at a rate not to exceed the grooves in concrete exposed to view
following amounts in 10 ft. .............................. 1 in. ............................................... % in.
SECTION 4 - CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETEFOR 4.5.3.2 All other conditions .....................
W in.
4.5.4. The offset between adjacent pieces of form-
BUILDINGS
4.1 -
Vertical alignment
work facing material shallnot exceed:
Class of surface:
4.1.1 For heights 100f t or less
Lines, surfaces, and arrises..................... 1 in.
Class A ............................................
'/S in.
Outside corner of exposed corner columns and
Class B .............................................
% in.
control joint grooves in concrete exposed to
Class C .............................................
% in.
Class D .............................................. 1 in.
view ................................................. % in.
4.5.5 Floor finish tolerances shall meet the require-
4.1.2 For heights greater than 100f t
ments of either Section 4.5.6 or 4.5.7, as set forth by
Lines, surfaces, and arrises,Xooo times the height
the specqier.
but not more than ................................. 6 in. 4.5.6 Floor finish tolerances as measured in accord-
Outside corner of exposed corner columns and
ance with ASTM E 1155-87 Standard Test Method for
control joint grooves in concrete, Xoo0 times the
Determining Floor Flatness and Levelness Usingthe F-
height but not more than ........................ 3 in. Number System (Inch-Pound Units)
4.2 -Lateral alignment 4.5.6.1 The FLlevelness toleranceshall not apply to
4.2.1 Members ........................................... 1 in. slabs placed on unshored form surfaces and/or shored
4.2.2 In slabs, centerline location of openings 12 in. form surfaces after the removalof shores. FL levelness
or smaller and edge locationof larger openings.. % in. tolerances shall not apply to cambered or inclined sur-
4.2.3 Sawcuts, joints, and weakened plane embed- faces and shall be measured within 72 hr after slab
ments in slabs .............................................
% in. concrete placement.
4.5.7 Floor finish tolerances as measured by placing
4.3 - Level alignment a freestanding (unleveled) 10 ft. straightedge anywhere
4.3.1 Top of slabs: on the slab and allowing it to rest upon two high spots
4.3.1.1 Elevation of slabs-on-grade ........... % in. within 72 hr after slab concrete placement. The gap at
4.3.1.2 Elevation of top surfaces of formed slabs any point between the straightedge and the floor (and
before removal of supporting shores between the highspots) shall not exceed:
............................................... % in.
4.3.2 Elevation of formed surfaces before removalof Classification:
shores ....................................................... % in, Conventional
4.3.3
COPYRIGHT 2002; ACI International Lintels,
(American sills, parapets, horizontal grooves, and
Concrete Institute) Bullfloated
Document provided by IHS Licensee=Bechtel .....................................
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A C 1 317 9 0 m Ob62747 0034378 9 M
117-10 AC1 STANDARD
Flat ................................................. %6 in. 5.3 - Fabrication tolerancesin planar elements

Very flat ........................................... % in. 5.3.1 Length and width
10 ft or less ....................................... '/S in.
Over 10 ft but not over 20 ft. ............ + % in.
4.6 - Openings through members - X 6 in. ............
4.6.1 Cross-sectional size of opening .......... - ?4in. Over 20 ft but not over 40 ft. ?A in. ...............
............ + 1 in. Each additional 10 ft increment in excess of 40
4.6.2 Location of centerline of opening ......... ?h in. ft. ..................................................
% 6 in.
Difference in length of the two diagonals, of a
SECTION 5 - PRECAST CONCRETE
rectangular member the greaterof !A in. per 6 f t
..................................
5.1 - Fabrication tolerances in linear elements
of diagonal or..
5.3.2 Cross-sectional dimensions
?hin.
except piles thickness ..................................... + ?4 in.
5.1.1 Length of member
Per 10 ft ........................................... '/S in.
..................................... - % in.
5.3.3 Openings in panels
Total not more than ........................... VI in. Size of opening .................................. ?4 in.
5.1.2 Cross-sectional dimensions
Location of centerline of opening........... VIin.
6 in. or less ....................................... '/S in.
5.3.4 Lateral alignment of embedded items
Over 6 in. but not over 18 in. ................
% 6 in.
Reglets for glazing gaskets .................... '/S in.
Over 18 in. but not over 36 in. .............. in. Bolts ................................................ ?4 in.
Over 36 in. ........................................ % in.
Flashing reglets .................................. ?4 in.
5.1.3 Lateral alignment (sweep) of noncambered
Flashing reglets at paneledge ................ '/S in.
member surfaces relative to centerline of member Electrical outlets and pipe sleeves ........... % in.
Member length Weld plates ......................................... 1 in.
40 ft and less ..................................... %' in. Inserts .............................................. ?h in.
Over 40 ft but not over 60 ft ................. % in. 5.3.5 Bowing and warping at time of erection
Over 60 ft ......................................... ?h in.
Bowing
5.1.4 Camber variation from design chamber, at time
%60 times the panel diagonal dimension in
of erection inches but not more than........................ 1 in.
For nonprestressed elements, '/S in. per 10 ft of Warping
length but not more than ..................... ?h in, %a in. per ft. of distance from nearest adjacent
For prestressed elements, ?4 in. per 10 f t of
length but not more than ........................ 1 in. corner but not more than .......................
1 in.
5.1.5 Surface irregularities, deviation from a 10 f t 5.4 - Erection tolerances
straightedge.. ...................................................... 5.4.1 Vertical, lateral, and level alignment
Same as forcast-in-place concrete in Section4.0.
For elements which will not receive topping
....................................................... ?4 in. 5.4.1.1 Building elements
Same as forcast-in-place concrete in Section4.0.
For elements to receive topping .............. ?h in.
For elements to be used as concrete guideways 5.4.1.2 Concrete guideways
s usptapenoedsruit rnfga c e s Concrete guideway construction misalignment of
....................................................... '/S in. support or steering surfaces shall notexceed
.................................................... 1/16 in.
5.4.2 Alignment of exposed wallpanels
5.2 - Fabrication tolerances for piles 5.4.2.1 Width of joints between exposed wall
5.2.1 Length.. ........................................ + 6 in. panels ...................................... ?4 in.
........................................... - 2 in. 5.4.2.2 Taper (difference in width) of joint be-
5.2.2 Cross-sectional dimensions tween adjacent exposed wall panels, the
Overall... ............................................. % in. greater of, %o in. per linear foot of joint,
Wall thickness of hollow sections ....... + ?h in. or ........................................... % 6 in.
.......... -0 in. Not to exceed ............................. 3/s in.

5.2.3 Lateral alignment of pile surfaces relative to 5.4.2.3 Alignment of joints at adjoining corners
pile centerline in length of pile, per 10 f t . . ......... '/S in. ............................................... VIin.
5.2.4 Location of internal void .................... % in. 5.4.2.4 O f f s e t i n e x t e r i o r f a c e o f a d j a c e n t
5.2.5 Pile head panels.. ..................................... ?4in.
From the plane perpendicular to the longitudi- 5.4.3 Offset of top surfaces of adjacent elements in
nal axis of pile, ?4 in. in 12 in. but not more erected positon . . .
than ................................................
?h in. With topping slab ............................... VI in.
5.2.6 Surface irregularities Floor elements without topping slab ....... ?4 in.
Pile head ..........................................
'/8 in. Roof elements without topping slab........ 3/4 in.
Other surfaces, deviation from a 10 ft. straight- Guideway elements to be used as riding
................................................ surface ..........................................
edge % in. 1/16 in.
~ A C 1 IL7 70 m 0 6 6 2 7 ~ 90034377 O m
TOLERANCES 117-11
SECTION 6 - MASONRY 8.2 - Lateral alignment

6.1 - Vertical alignment Visible surfaces ................................. 1% in.
In surface of wall ............................... 3/4 in. Concealed surfaces............................ .2% in.
In alignment of head joints ...................% in.
6.2 -Lateral alignment
8.3 -Level alignment
8.3.1 General
6.2.1 Vertical members .............................. % in. Visible flatwork and formed surfaces ?4 in. ......
Concealed flatwork and formed surfaces...1 in.
6.3 -Level alignment
8.3.2 Sills for radial gates and similar watertight
6.3.1 In bed joints and top of wall,
joints ........................................................ X 6 in.
exposed ..................................................... ?4 in.
Not exposed .................................................
6.3.2 Top of wall usedfor a bearing surface... % in.
1 in.
8.4 -
Relative alignment
6.3.3 Top of wall, other than a bearing surface 8.4.1 Formed surfaces may slope with respect to the
............................................................. 3/4 in. specified plane at a rate not to exceed the following
amount in IO f t
6.4 -Cross-sectionaldimensions 8.4.1.1 Slopes in lateral and level alignments
Visible surfaces .................................. % in.
6.4.1 Multiwythed walls ......................... + ?4in. Concealed surfaces.. ............................ ?hin.
......................... - % in. 8.4.1.2 Slopes in vertical alignment
6.4.2 Other members ............................. + ?4 in. Visible surfaces .................................. ?hin.
................................. % in.
Concealed surfaces.. .............................. 1 in.
6.4.3 Joint thickness.................................. ?4in.
- SECTION 9 CANAL LINING -

6.5 Relative alignment
6.5.1 Masonry surfaces may slope with respect to the 9.1 -
Lateral alignment
9.1.1 Alignment of tangents ......................... .2 in.
specified plane at a rate not to exceed the following
amounts in IO f t 9.1.2 Alignment of curves. ........................... .4in.
6.5.1.1 Walls and columns ....................... '/4 in. 9.1.3 Width of section at any height: 0.0025 times
6.5.1.2 Bed joints, head joints, specified width W plus one in. ........
.0.0025 W + 1 in.
and top of wall ............................ % in.
6.5.1.3 Top of wall ................................ % in. 9.2 -
Level alignment
9.2.1 Profilegrade ....................................
..1 in.
SECTION 7 -
CAST-IN-PLACE,VERTICALLY 9.2.2 Surface of invert ...............................
% in.
SLIPFORMED BUILDING ELEMENTS 9.2.3 Surface of side slope.......................... % in.
7.1 -
Vertical alignment 9.2.4 Height of lining: 0.005 times established height
7.1.1 Translation and rotation from a fixed point at H plus one in. ................................
0.005H + 1 in.
the base of thestructure:
For heights 100 ft. or less ...................... .2 in. 9.3 -
Cross-sectionaldimensions
For heights greater than 100 ft., V600 times the Thickness of lining cross section: 10 percent of spec-
height but not more than.. ..................... .8 in. ified thickness provided average thickness is main-
tained as determinedby daily batch volumes.
Between adjacent elements.. ....................2 in. SECTION 10 - MONOLITHIC SIPHONS AND
7.3 - Cross-sectional dimensions 10.1 -
Lateral alignment
CULVERTS
Walls ............................................ + 3/4 in. 10.1.1 Centerline alignment.................i.. .......1 in.
............................................ - % in.
10.1.2 Inside dimensions:
7.4 - Relative alignment ....................... 0.005 times inside dimension
Formed surfaces may slope with respect to the
specified plane at a rate not to exceed the fol- 10.2 -
Level alignment
lowing amount in 10 f t .........................
% in. 10.2.1 Profile grade., ................................... 1 in.
10.2.2 Surface of invert.............................. % in.
SECTION 8 - MASS CONCRETE STRUCTURES
OTHER THAN BUILDINGS
10.2.3 Surface of side slope......................... '/2 in.
-
8.1 Vertical alignment 10.3 - Cross-sectional dimensions
8.1.1 Surfaces 10.3.1 Cross sectionat any point
.................................
Visible surfaces 1Yi in. Increase thickness: greater of 0.05 times thick-
Concealed surfaces.. .......................... .2?4 in. ness, or .........................................
+ % in.
8.1.2 Side walls f o r radial gates and similar water- Decrease thickness: greater of 0.25 times thick-
tight joints .................................................
X 6 Document
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- % in.
A C 1 337 90 m 0662949 0034380 7 m
117.12 AC1 STANDARD
SECTION 11 -
CAST4N-PLACE BRIDGES highspots shallnot exceed .............................. '/S in.
11.1 -Vertical alignment 12.2.2 Mainline pavements in transverse direction,
11.1.1 Exposed surfaces ............................. % in. the gap below a 10 f t unleveled straightedge restingon
11.1.2 Concealed surfaces.......................... 1?h in. highspots shall not exceed.. ............................ ?4in.
12.2.3 Ramps, sidewalks, and intersections, in any
11.2 - Lateral alignment direction, the gap below a 10 f t unleveled straightedge
Centerline alignment ............................ . 1 in. resting on highspots shall not exceed., .............. % in.
11.3 -Level alignment SECTION 13 - CHIMNEYS AND COOLING

11.3.1 Profile grade.................................... .1 in. TOWERS
11.3.2 Top of other concrete surfaces andhorizontal
grooves
13.1 -
Vertical alignment
Translation, rotation or variance form vertical axis
Exposed ............................................
% in. the greater of 1/1000 times the height at time of mea-
Concealed ........................................
1 ?h in. surement, or l in.
11.3.3 Mainline pavements in longitudinal direction, In any 10 f t of height thé centerpoint shall not
the gap below a 10 f t unleveled straightedge restingon change more than 1 in.
highspots shallnot exceed ..............................
'/S in.
11.3.4 Mainline pavements in transverse direction,
the gap below a 10 f t unleveled straightedge restingon
13.2 -
Diameter
Outside shell diameter 1/1000 times the specified di-
highspots shallnot exceed ..............................
M in. ameter plus 1 in.
11.3.5 Ramps, sidewalks, and intersections, in any
direction, the gap below a 10 ft unleveled straightedge
resting on highspots shall not exceed.. % in. .............. 13.3 - Wall thickness
The average of four wall thickness measurements
11.4 - Cross-sectionaldimensions taken over a 60 deg arc.
Specified wall thickness 10 in. or less ......... - '/4 in.
11.4.1 Bridge slabs vertical dimension (thick-
ness) ..................................................... % in. + ............................................................. +?hin.
..................................................... - '/S in. Specified wall thickness greater than 10 in. .. - ?h in.
11.4.2 Members such as columns, beams, piers, ...............................................................+ 1 in.
walls, and other (slabs thickness only) .......... ?h in. +
........
:. - % in. SECTION 14 - NONREINFORCED CAST-IN.
11.4.3 Openings through concrete members .... ?h in. PLACE PIPE
14.1 -
Wall thickness
1I.5 -Relative alignment Minimum wall thickness at any point shall be 1/12
11.5.1 Location of openings through concrete times the specified internal diameter of the pipe plus ?h
members .................................................... ?h in. in., but in no caseless than .............................. 2 in.
11.5.2 Formed surfaces may slope with respect to the
specified plane at a rate not to exceed the following
amounts in 10 ft
14.2 -Pipe diameter
The internal diameter at any point shall not be less
Watertight joints ................................
'/S in. than 95 percent of the specified diameter, the average
Other exposed surfaces ........................
?h in. of any four measurements taken at 45 deg intervals
Concealed surfaces................................ 1 in. shall not be less than the specified diameter.
11.5.3 Unformed exposed surfaces, other than pave-
ments and sidewalks, may slope with respect to the
specified plane at a rate not to exceed the following 14.3 -
Offsets
amounts At formlaps and horizontal edges shall not exceed:
In 10 ft ............................................. Vi in. For pipe with an internal diameter not greater than
In 20 ft ............................................. 3/8 in.
42 in. ........................................................ % in.
For pipe with an internal diameter43 through 72 in.
SECTION 12 -
PAVEMENTS AND SIDEWALKS
................................................................ 3/4 in.
12.1 -Lateral alignment For pipe with an internal diameter greater than72
in. .............................................................. 1 in.
12.1.1 Placement of dowels ..........................
.1 in.
12.1.2 Alignment of dowels, relative to centerline of
pavement, 18 in. or lessprojection ...... % in. 14.4 - Surface indentations
greater than 18 in. projection Maximum allowable .................................. ?h in.
......................................
Not established

12.2.1 Mainline pavements in longitudinal direction,
COPYRIGHT 2002; ACI International (American Concrete Institute) This standard
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by IHS to letter
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The AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE
was founded in 1905 as a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to

public service and to representing user interests in the field of concrete. It
gathers and distributes information on the improvement of design, construc-
tion, and maintenance of concrete products and structures. The work of the
Institute is done by individual members and by volunteer committees.
Th& committees, as well as the Institute as a whole, operate under a
consensus format, which assures all members'the right to have their views
considered. Committee activities include the development of building codes
and specification standards; analysis of research and development results;
presentation of construction and repair techniques; and education.
Anyone interested in the activities of the Institute is encouraged to seek
membership.Therearenoeducationaloremploymentrequirements.En-
gineers, architects, scientists, constructors, and representatives from a va-
riety of companies and organizations form the Institute membership.
All members are eligible and encouraged to participate in committee ac-
tivities that relate to their specific areasof interest. Membership information,
a publications catalog, and listings of educational activities are available.
american concrete institute

BOX 19150, REDFORD STATION
DETROIT,
MICHIGAN 48219
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- ~~~ ~ ~ ~~ ~~ ~ ~~ ~ ~~
THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSIONS, WHICH WERE PUBUSHED IN THE NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 1989 AC1 Materials
Journal (PP. 619-628),ARE NOT PART OF THE REPORTAC!117-81,BUTAREPROVIDEDASADDITIONAL
INFORMATION TO THE READER.
Standard Specifications for Tolerancesfor Concrete Construction and Materials

(AC1 117).
Reported by AC1 Committee 117
Discussion by Fred A. Anderson, Herbert A. Brauner, T. 1. Campbell, Joseph A. Dobrowolski, T.J. Duffy, James M. Henry, Donald
F. Meinheit, John E. Sadler, W. Thomas Scott, John M. Sheehan, R. W. Snook, and Robert F. Ytterberg, and Committee 117
By FRED A. ANDERSON specified for untopped elements in Section 5.4.3 of the

Member Ameriqn Concrete Institute. Headquarters, U.S. A m y of
Com Committee 117 document.
Engineem, Wdtngton. D.C. The tolerances specified by Committee 358 are nex-
In reference to Section 4.5.7 on page 568, why is essary to insure satisfactory ride quality of a vehicle on
the straightedge length not stated in the reference par- the guideway.
agraph? I know it is supposed to be 10 ft because the
Commentary says so. But that does not make it a part By JOSEPH A. DOBROWOLSKI
of the specifications. If I were a contractor, I’d show
Member AmerirPn ConcmteInstitute, Chaiman AC1Cornmitte¿303. Civil
up with a 2-in. straightedge. Engineer-Concrete Connrltant. Altadena. Calv.
During the recent revision of AC1 303,the requirement

By HERBERT A. BRAUNER that the deflection of plywood be limited to !Aoo of the
Member American Concmte Institute,Chairman AC1 Committee 543. J. H. span for architectural concrete was eliminated. This
Pornmy d Co., he.. f i t a h m a , CaIlf.
was in answer to the request that all committees re-
After a review of the Committee 117 tolerances, as move tolerances for incorporation in the Committee
they relate to prefabrication of concrete piling, it is ap- 117 document. The proposed requirement is not in-
parent that Committee 543 can make its tolerances cluded in the proposed document; The only reference
agree with the AC1117 report. However, one revision concerning exposed faces is included in the various
to Section 5.2 is suggested. classes of surface and refers only to offsets that have
Section 5.2.2 shows a tolerance on the wall thickness been doubled from previousdocuments.
of hollow sections of + %, - 0 in. Section 5.2.4 has Committee 303 still feels that this and other require-
a tolerance on the location of internal void of f 3/b ments may need to be included in a separate section
in. These two tolerances are not compatible. As an pertaining to architectural surfaces. Architects are
example, a 24 in. square precast pile with 14 in. looking to AC1 for guidance and ability to reference. I
round Sonovoid has a theoretical wall thickness of 5 do not see this guidance but an effort to leave such de-
in. If we accept the tolerance on location of the void cisions to the uninformed. The construction industry
as f K in., the wall thickness on one side will be 4% may regret this omission. Committee 303 would be
in., or - H in., which is not acceptable, in accord- willing to assist Committee 117 in this endeavor or have
ance with 5.2.2. Therefore, I suggest that 5.2.2 change a separate section in the new specification which Com-
the wall thickness tolerance to + ?h- H in. mittee 303 would like to write. I am going to have a
hard time selling an ‘/-in. offset to architects as a Class
By T. 1. CAMPBELL A finish.
3
Member American ConcmteInstitute, ChairmanA C I committee 358,
Profvor, Queens University, Lkpartment of Civil Engineering. Kingston,
Ontano, Canada By T. J. DUFFY
I would like to bring to the attention of Committee Member American ConcreteInstitute. Chairman A C I Committee 313.
Stmctural Project Engineer, Sargent & Lundy Engineers, Chicago. Ill.
117 a number of tolerances that have been specified for
concrete guideway construction in the Committee 358 AC1 Committee 349, Concrete Nuclear Structures,
report “Analysis and Design of Reinforced Concrete discussed theproposed AC1 Committee 117 toler-
Guideway Structures,” published in the AC1 JOURNAL, ances during the spring convention in Atlanta.
V. 83, No. 5 , September-October 1986, pp. 838-868. As you may know, AC1 Committee 349 is very inter-
Sections 4.4.2.2 and 4.4.2.3 of this report specify a ested in tolerances for nuclear structures. Due to the
maximum deviation of ’/ in. from 10-ft. straightedge extensive inspection during the construction of nuclear
for support and steering surfaces of a concrete guide- structures, all items are inspected and checked against
way. This is more restrictive than the % in. specified in tolerances normally established by the designer and
Section 5.1.5of the Committee 117 document. Fur- considered by the designer in the original design of the
ther, Section 4.4.2.2 limits misalignment in adjacent structure. Any deviation from the specified tolerances
beam ends meeting at a column or other connection to are documented and require the designer to verify the
X 6 in.Again,this is morerestrictivethanthein adequacy of the structure with the reported deviation.
117-01
117-D2 MANUAL OF CONCRETE PRACTICE
Normally, only the limited tolerances currently stated By DONALD F. MElNHElT

in AC1318 and AC1 349 are permitted with no addi- Member American Concrete Institute. Chairman AC1 Committee 533.
tional consideration by the designer. It has been the Comltant, W h , Janney, Elstner Associates. Inc.. Northbrook. 111.
committee’s general belief that these tolerances are As the chairman gf AC1 Committee 533, Precast
treated by the strength reduction factor and other Panels, I want to express the opinion of the committee
conservatisms within the design codes. with respect to the AC1 Committee 117 document.
The tolerances proposed in AC1 117, however, are Committee 533 recently had a draft of its guide doc-
much more extensive and liberal than those currently ument reviewed by ACI’s Technical Activities Committee
contained in the design codes. AC1 Committee 349is (TAC). There weremanycriticisms about the format
concerned that the adoption of these tolerances with no and content of our document, and we are considering
consideration by the designer of the potential strength- those comments to improve our guide. One of the con-
reducing effect of the tolerances could result in signifi- sistent comments received was that the AC1 533 guide
cantly reduction in the strength of the structures. This did not reference or follow AC1 117 tolerance specifi-
is especially true if the additive effective of tolerances cations.
on location, size, alignment, etc., are considered simul- The committee specifically took the position that
taneously. AC1 11 7 tolerances would not be referenced because
If AC1 117’s tolerances are accepted, should the en- they were deemed unrepresentative of current practices
gineer consider them all simultaneously in the design within the precast/prestressed concrete industry. The
of the structure? Are the strength reduction factors and tolerances givenin the newAC1117 standard are an
other conservatisms in the design codes sufficient to improvement over those listed in the 1981 standard.
offset the strength-reducing effect ofAC1117’s toler- However, the PC1 Committee on Tolerances prepared
ances? If adequate design margin does exist for the tol- an excellent, realistic document that is more consistent
erances, does the engineer only need to consider the with the precast-prestressed industry’s practice.’ AI-
amount of deviation above the tolerance in assessing though the new AC1 117 standard has a format similar
the as-built condition of structures? to that of the PC1 committee report, Committee 117
Because of these considerations, AC1 Committee 349 has lumped too many precast concrete products, re-
cannot agree at this time with the tolerances in the pro- gardless of their end use, into one set of tolerances.
posed AC1 117-89. We as a committee believe that the ACI 117 ap-
proach is too restrictive and that product tolerances for
precast/prestressed concrete need to be broadened into
industrialized and architectural products. Generally,the
By JAMES M. HENRY AC1 117 tolerances are consistent only with the PC1
Member American Concrete Institute. Project Manager, Stolte Inc.. Oakland, tolerances for architectural panels.
CaliJ
Although TAC will most likely continue to admon-
The following comments apply to Section 4 - Cast- ish AC1 533 for not referencing AC1117 tolerances,
in-Place Concrete for Buildings, and Section 7 - Cast- AC1 533 firmly believes that the PC1 document on tol-
in-Place,VerticallySlipformedStructures.Morespe- erances is a better, more representative compilation on
cifically, the concern is about vertical alignment. tolerances for precast-prestressed concrete.
The tolerances stated in the referenced sections for
vertical alignment are not compatible with American REFERENCE
Institute for Steel Construction (AISC) tolerances for l . PC1 committee on Tolerances. “Tolerances for Precast and
Prestressed Concrete,” Journul. Prestressed Concrete Institute, V. 30,
vertical aligment. The potential for conflict between No. 1, Ja?.-Feb. 1985, pp. 26-112.
concrete contractors and structural steel contractors
would be very high if these toleranceswere specified for
the concrete work on a composite steel/concrete high- By JOHN E. SADLER
rise building. Member American Concrere Institute. Chairman ACI Committee 313,
Consulting Engineer. Columbus, Ohio
My personal experience includes 28 composite build-
ingsin the past 10 years.Recentexamplesarethe AC1 Committee 313, Concrete Bins and Silos, has re-
AT & T Building in Kansas City and the IBM Building viewed the proposed “Standard Specifications for Tol-
in Atlanta. These buildings contain major structural erances for Concrete Construction and Materials (AC1
concrete core elements. 117)” and finds it to be generally satisfactory for Com-
The development of steel-grid stablized slipform mittee 313’s purposes.
systems in the mid-1970s made construction of con- At the Atlanta Convention, Committee 313 reviewed
crete cores and exterior shearwalls to AISC tolerances tolerance items in AC1 117 and in AC1 3 13 and ap-
easily feasible. With fixed/tied forms it is merely a proved the removal of all tolerances from the AC1 313
matter of accurate alignment and adequate bracing. A document if AC1117will include the special require-
warning comment in the specification checklist orin a ments of silos in the document. Those special require-
footnote to the standard is suggested. ments (as follows) are tabulated in Section 13 in a
Except for the point just made, the specification is a format similar to that chosen by AC1 117 for the pro-
fine piece of work. posed standard.
~- ~ ~
TOLERANCES 117-D3
proposed addition to ACII I 7 to cover ACI 313 ances in the AC1 530 document which were submitted
requirements to Committee 117 last November represent the com-
SECTION 13-CONCRETE SILOS AND STACKING mittee's balloted. approved values complying with the
TUBES FOR STORING GRANULAR MATERIALS standards for both ASCE and ACI.
13.1"Slipformed or jumpformed structures Our committee was unanimous in the opinion that
13.1.1-Translation and rotation from a fiedpoint AC1 could not unilaterally alter the decision of the
at the baseof the structure combined committee. We strongly urge you accept the
For heights 100 ft or less ........................... 3 in. AC1 530 standards as part of your document.
For heights greater than 100 ft, Xo0 times the height
but not morethan .................................... 4 in.
13.1.2-Lateral alignment of walls By R. W. SNOOK
Each 10 ft of diameter or distance between Membcr American Concrete Insfifure. Chairman A C I Committee 307,
Presidenf. Chimney Consultanfs. h e . . Allison Park. Pa.
walls ................................................... '/i in.
But not more than ................................... 3 in. The proposed specification neither addresses nor ex-
13.1.3-Cros-sectional dimensions empts chimneys or other large hollow concrete struc-
+ 1 in.
Walls ................................................. tures (i.e., silos, building cores, hyperbolic cooling
................................................ H in. towers, etc.). As a consequence, chimneys would most
13.1.3-Openings and embedded plates or anchors likely be subject to theprovisions of Section 8 Mass -
Vertical locationof centerline ..................... 3 in. Concrete Structures Other Than Buildings. I believe
Horizontal location of centerline .................1 in. this section does not consider the unique construction
techniques employed with tall, tapered thin-walled
structures.
13.2-Precast circular stave silo erection tolerances As Chairman of AC1 Committee 307, I suggest that
13.2.1-Translation rotation or bulging from a f i e d chimneys be exempt from the provisions of AC1 117
point at the baseof the structure since construction tolerances for chimneys are ad-
For heights 100 ft orless ........................... 3 in. dressed in Section 3.8 of the new AC1 307 standard,
For heights greater than 100 ft, Xo0 times the height which was adopted in November 1988.
but not morethan .................................... 4 in. Alternatively, I suggest that AC1 117 be revised to
13.2.2-Lateral alignment or spiral' of vertical stave include a Section 13 - Chimneys, as follows. in which
joints the construction tolerancesnow included in Section 3.8
Each 10 ft height ........................................ 1 in. of 307 would be restated.
13.3.3"Relative alignment or bulging
In a 10 ft height, not more than ..................1 in.
13.2.4-Lateral alignment of walls CONSTRUCTION TOLERANCES
For each 10 ft of diameter ......................... 1 in. Section 13-Chimneys
But not more than ................................... 3 in. 13.1 The chimney shell shall be constructed within the
13.2.5"Hoop count and spacing tolerance limits set forth herein.
Number of hoops in a specified wall height .......O 13.1.1 Vertical alignment of centerpoint - The cen-
Spacing of hoops ..................................... 1 in. terpoint of the shell shall not vary from its vertical axis
by more than0.001 of the height of the shell at the time
of measurement, or 1 in., whichever is greater. Lo-
By W. THOMAS SCOTT cally, the centerpoint of the shell shall not be changed
The Ceco Corporafion. Sanfa Ana, CaliJ by more than 1 in. per 10 ft.
13.1.2 Diameter - The measured outside shell di-
The text does not indicate that the straightedge is to ameter at any section shall not vary from the specified
be 10 ft long as referenced in the discussion. Is this an diameter by more than 1 in. plus 0.01 of the specified
oversight or are you leaving the length of the straight- or theoretical diameter.
edge open to interpretation of the specifier? Varying 13.1.3 Wall thickness - The measured wall thick-
the length of the straightedge could produce very dif- ness shall not vary from the specified wall thickness by
ferent results. more than - % inch, + Vi in. for walls 10 in. thick or
less, or by more than - Vi in. + 1 in. for walls greater
By JOHN M. SHEEHAN than 10 in. thick. A single wall thickness measurement
Member American Concrefe Insfifure, Senior Vice Presidenf. Damon G.
is defined as the average of at least four measurements
Douglas Co., Cranford. N.J. taken over a 60-deg arc.
13.2 Openingsandembedments - Tolerances on the
Committee 530 regrets that it cannot accept the pro- size and location of openings and embedments in the
posed tolerances for masonry construction. The toler- shell cannot be uniformly established due to the vary-
ing degrees of accuracy required depending on the na-
*Spiral means the distortion that resultsif the staves are ti!tedslightly.IO that ture of their use. Appropriate tolerances for opening
eventhoughtheirouterfacesare vertical. theIr edgcs,are,lnclined. Thecom-
bined effect of such misplacement is to eau? vertical Joint llnes to 5 long-pitch
and embedment sizes and locations shall be established
spirals rather than straight lines. The resultmg assembly appearstwisted. for each chimney.
1 17-04 MANUAL OF CONCRETE PRACTICE
BY ROBERT F. YTTEABERG Committee 117 in March, 1986, in a paper entitled

“Measurement and Tolerances of Floor Surfaces”
Member American ConcreteInstitute, President. Kalman Floor Company Hopefully, the E 06.21.12 specification will be ap-
Inc.. Evergmn. Colo.
proved at the next ASTM meeting.
Floor tolerances in the proposed AC1117 tolerance The switchto a statistical floor-tolerancing methodin
standard are bad technology and should not be AC1 117 should be analogous to the switch to the sta-
adopted. AC1117’sprevious straightedge tolerances tistical compressive strength tolerancing methodin AC1
have been made much stricter without any basis in re- 214. What is needed is a gradual evolution to a statis-
search, and the straightedge method is denigrated by itcal system where the old-fashioned straightedge
listing six deficiencies of the straightedge. tolerances are left alone and a new statistical system is
Because of the new, stricter straightedge tolerances offered as an alternative in an Appendixto AC1 117. In-
that appear in AC1 117, users cf the document will be stead, what has been proposed are far stricter
forced to use the F-number floor tolerance system that straightedgetolerances than in the current AC1117
appears inAC1117 for the first time as the only spe- document, whichwill force people to use the proprie-
cific alternative to the much stricter straightedge toler- tary, semi-statistical F-number method, which contains
ances. The F-number method is based on a procedure serious technical flaws.
specified in E 1155. ASTM E 1155 and its F-number The precedent set by AC1 214 should be followed by
method has the following technical shortcomings: AC1117 to avoid confusion in the industry. Who un-
1. The F-number method assumes randomly distrib- derstands the F-number system? Very few, and those
uted data. However, ina paper by Professors Loov and that do say it has flaws.
Schwarz, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, it is Finally, there has been no opportunity for criticism
demonstrated that 80 percent of the data from mea- of the F-number system because its proponents have
surements taken on actual floors is not randomly dis- not published data from actual floor measurements,
tributed but shows a high degree of correlation to re- have not published data and the correlation of data to
peated waves or undulations placed in the floor during justify the F-values versus use proposed by AC1 117, and
construction. Therefore, the F-number method is not a have not published the correlation of the F-values to
true statistical-based system even though statistical placement and finishing techniques being proposed by
methods are employed. AC1 302.
2. Elevation data for F-numbers is taken at a uni- How is the rest of the engineering community to
form spacing of 12 in. along a line on the floor. This judge the significance and correlation of the data and
the utility of the F-number system discussed at AC1
12-in. measurement spacing can only truly identify im-
conventions when there have been no hard facts pre-
perfections that are on the order of 3 to 8 ft in length.
sented in technical publications for all to read and
The most critical bumps,those with wavelengthsof less
critique?
than about 4 ft, are not clearly identified.
3. The majority of floors are excluded from the F- AC1117’snew proposed standard should not be
number method of tolerance specification. By explicit adopted with the new floor tolerances and with the
reference, the proposedAC1117 document excludes three pages of commentary on these floor tolerances.
sloped floors, suspended or elevated floors, and facili- The existing straightedge specification should remain,
ties with fixed-path vehicle systems, and does not give and an Appendix should offer as an alternative the
any advice or help on how to tolerance ramps or purely statistical tolerancing specification and method
crowned floors. being debated by ASTM Committee E 06.21.12.
4. TOcompute F-numbers, ASTME 1155 permits the *
use of two different kinds of measuring devices. One is COMMITTEE CLOSURE
based on a direct-elevation reading such as a conven- Committee 117 has reviewed the written discussion
tional level, and one is based on the output from a submitted after publication of the proposed Standard
wheel-mounted inclinometer profilograph. It can be, Specification for Tolerances for Concrete Construction
and has been, shown that the data recorded by these and Materials in the November-December 1988 AC1
two measuring devices yield significant differences, and Materials Journal. Written discussion was submitted to
that without some attempt to correct the continuous both the Editor and directly to Committee 117.
slope signal from the profilograph, the result of a sur- InresponsetoMr.Anderson’sand Mr. Scott’s as-
vey performed with a profilograph are incorrect. tute comments, the designation of the length of the
Inlieu of the F-number system, a truly statistical straightedge as 10 ft hasbeenaddedtothespecifica-
floor-tolerancing system hasbeen proposed to AC1 117. tion to clarify the ambiguity.
To expedite its consideration, ASTM Committee E The universal application of Committee 117,’s speci-
06.21.12 has been set up with twelve membersto advise fication is not appropriate. The foreword and the Op-
on a specification written around four statistical floor tional Specification Checklist define the scope of appli-
tolerances, one of which is the root-mean-square of cation. It is stated that tolerances in the specification
wave height first proposed by Professor LOOV and are for standard concrete construction and construc-
Schwarz. The other three tolerances were developed by tion procedures, and that specialized concrete con-
D. E. Shelangoskie et al., and were Fresented to AC1 struction and construction procedures require the spe-
TOLERANCES 117-05
cifier to include specialized tolerances. In response to of standard manufactured products. Committee 117
the comments from Mr. Duffy and other AC1 commit- will undertake as new business, with the help of Com-
tees, the following clarifying paragraph has been added mittee 533 and PCI, the distinguishment of architec-
defining the applicable scope of the Specification: “The tural and industrial precast elements. In the interim, the
tolerances in this Specification do not apply to special following clarification has been added to the optional
Structures or procedures not citedin the document, specification checklist: “5.3 - Planar Elements: In-
such as nuclear reactor vessels and containment, circu- dustrial precast products may not conform to the
lar prestressed concrete tank structures, and shot- planar tolerances. Manufacturers should be consulted
Crete.” for appropriate tolerances for their products.”
With respect to Mr. Dobrowolski’s concerns, Com- In accordance with Mr. Sheehan’s comments, the
mittee 117will undertake as new business the concept specified tolerances for masonry have been modified to
of including a separate section pertaining to architec- avoid any conflict with Committee 530. The”finish on
tural surfaces and looks forward to working with the surface of the concrete footingsto receive masonry
Committee 303 in this undertaking. In the interim, the has not been modified. Construction practice forform-
Optional Specification. Checklist emourages specifiers ing continuous concrete footings below masonry in-
desiring specialized concrete construction to use spe- volveseitherplacingthe concrete against excavated
cialized tolerances. As indicated in Commentary Sec- earth or side forms. When placed against earth, flag
tion 4, Specification Paragraph 4.5 determines the nails set at intervals along the length of the footing are
smoothness of surfaces. The slope rate tolerance of )/S commonly used for grade control. When placed against
in. in 10 ft for formed surfaces is more rigorous than a forms, the top of the form or a chalk line snapped on
plywood deflection criteria of 1/400. the form faceis used for grade control. The strikeoff is
The tolerances for slipform structures were estab- generally performed in conjunction with vibration and
lished from measurements taken between 1978 and1982 minor finish is performed by laborers using wood dar-
on slipformed high-rise concrete buildings. The ele- bies or short two-by-fours on edge. This striking and
ment slipforms were office buildings’ central cores and finishing operation occurs in, around, and through
multiple shearwalls for condominiums. The committee reinforcing dowels. These methods are economical.The
welcomes any data Mr. Henry could furnish regarding physical impediment of dowels makes the achievement
tolerances achieved on his referenced projects, so that of an accurate and high-quality finish on thetop of the
it might undertake as new business the review of slip- footing impractical. Several years ago, Committee 117
form tolerancesagainst current technologyandany measured a limited number of footingsthat satisfactor-
need for more rigorous tolerances due to a particular ily received masonry to determine the acceptability of
building structural system. It is noted that the AISC levelalignmentof +I” fi in.Thisis in agreement
frame tolerances are 1500, with maximum limits es- withAC1530.Localized slopechanges or flatness of
tablished depending on the number of stories. The the footing top was not measured using a leveled 10-ft
specified translation and rotation tolerances for verti- straightedge. Extensive measurements of slabs per-
cally slipformed building elements are more rigorous formed for other purposes revealed that care and mul-
than AISC’s general envelope tolerance, but maximum tipje finishing operations are necessary if a slope varia-
allowable deviations exceed some of AISC’s require- tion of Vi in. in10 ft from levelis to be maintained.
ments. Applying this requirement to footin’gs, as suggested by
The tolerances for precast panels are covered by Committee 530, seems unrealistic and unnecessary.
Planar elements in Specification Section 5.3. The toler- Unrealistic tolerances are either ignored because they
ance is. intended to be of general application and nor- are unneeded or bécome the basis for an unnecessary
mal usage for both manufactured and job-cast planar discute between contracting parties. It is suggested that
elements. The problem outlined by Mr. Meinhardt Committee 117 and 530 measure the slope of the vari-
arises in determining whether an itemis industrial or ation in the surface of footings that are satisfactorily
architectural, or an industrial product used for an ar- receiving masonry and are constructed with current
chitecturalpurpose. In theOptional Specification techniques to determine if there is a need for a slope
Checklist, specifiers are encouraged to use specialized tolerancewithin the + / - Y2 in. elevation tolerance
tolerances when necessary. For guidance in applicable envelope. If it is required, the data collected should re-
tolerances, the commentary to the specification refers veal the appropriate magnitude.
the specifier to “Tolerances for Precast and Prc- Mr. Campbell appropriately calls Committee 117’s
stressed Concrete” published in the January-February attention to the Committee 358 report regarding con-
1985 PC1 Journal, pp. 26-1 12, and the Optional Speci- crete-guidewayconstruction.Anerectiontolerance of
fication Checklist refers the specifier to the licensor of X 6 in. andsurfaceirregularitytolerance of Ya in. has
patented or copyrighted structural systems for toler- been added to the specification for guideway and sup-
ances. port steering surfaces.
Committee 117’s specification was forwarded to PC1 Mr. Sadler indicates Committee 313has determined
for review, and no changes were requested by the PC1 that concrete bins and silos are specialized structures
reviewers. Specified tolerances closely coordinate with with toleranceneedsdifferentfromslipformedbuild-
applicable PC1 recommended tolerances for the array ing elements. However, Committee 3 13 has in process
117-D6 MANUAL OF C O N C R M PRACTICE
a complete revision of their standard, and changes are early revision of the specification.
proposed in tolerances. So, we have added bins and Committee 543 felt that there was a conflict between
silos to the exceptions in the Foreword and Optional the location tolerance of the internal void and the toi-
Specification Checklist, and will consider this as new erance for wall thickness for prefabricated concrete Pil-
business at the appropriate time. ing. There is not a conflict because the exterior size O f
Similarly, Mr. Snook points out the specialized needs the pile can vary. Committee 117 will undertake in co-
of structures addressed by Committee 307. Accord- ordination with Committee 543 their suggestion for a
ingly, a separate section has been added to the specifi- minor revision to the wall thickness tolerance as new
cation incorporating their tolerances. Their section on business.
“Openings and Embedments” is not a tolerance. The The TAC Specification Committee commented on
specification preference and checklist cover the need for the inappropriateness of referencing AC1 3 18 and other
the specifier to designate specialized and unique toler- codes in a specification. Accordingly, these references
ances. To avoid confusion, Committee 307’s comments have been deleted from the section on Project Docu-
regarding openings and embedments have been in- ment references inthe Commentary.
cluded in the commentary.
Mr. Ytterberg is a member of Committee 117 and has
participated in discussions of tolerancing floor finishes
over several years. His objections to the use of the
ASTM E 1155 method of measuring floor finishes have
not been persuasive. Articles regardingthe evolution of
the F-number system and extensive data from field
measurements havebeen published (“Floor Toler-
ances,” ConcreteInternational, V. 10, No. 6, June
1988, pp. 51-57; “Measuring the Quality of Floor Fin-
ishes,” Concrete International, V. 11, No. 6, June
1989,pp.41-49). Committee 117 purposefully left the
traditional 10-ft straightedge tolerancing method in the
specification to provide the specifier an option as to
method and to ease any transition to statistical sam-
pling techniques. It is noted that a number of Fortune
500 companies and specifying entities have incorpo-
rated ASTM E 1155 over the past several years. Mr.
Ytterberg’s company has been instrumental in the de-
velopment of equipment to measure floor finishes and
is currently working within ASTM to develop sup-
porting test methods. Committee 117is committed to
undertake as urgent new business the slab-finish toler-
ance system advocated by Mr. Ytterberg and any addi-
tional techniques resulting from the rapidly evolving
technology in this area.
In addition to discussion received by the editor,
Committee 117received directly from other AC1 tech-
nical committees various comments regarding coordi-
nation.
Committee 346 pointed out that cast-in-place con-
crete pipe requires special tolerances. Accordingly, the
tolerances appearing in Chapter 5 ofAC1346-81have
been incorporated in a new section in Committee 117’s
specification for cast-in-place nonreinforced pipe.
Committee 423, Prestressed Concrete, forwarded its
current tolerances for the location of prestressing rein;
forcement or prestressing steel ducts. Their recom-
mended tolerances have been included in the Specifica-
tion. In addition, information to the specifier has been
added in the Commentary regarding how these toler-
ances may affect the designation of cover.
Committee 355 hasforwarded as “work in Pro-
gress” tolerances for anchorages installed i n previously
castconcrete. Committee 117 will undertake as new
business these applicable tolerances for inclusion in an

Aci 117-90 Spec. For Tolerance of Conc. Const.& Material

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Aci 117-90 Spec. For Tolerance of Conc. Const.& Material

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Standard Specifications for Tolerances for

Concrete Construction and Materials (AC1117-90)

W. Robert Little Russell S. Fling

S.Allen Face, III Andrawos Morcos B. J. Pointer

MANDATORY SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST

OPTIONAL SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST

OPTIONAL SPECIFICATION CHECKLIST, continued

CONTENTS Section 4 - Cast-in-place concretefor buildings,

3.2 - Lateral alignment

117-6 AC1 STANDARD

Fig. 2.I(a) - Standard fabricating tolerances for bar sizes #3 through # I I

horizontal location of the surface relative to the speci- SECTION 2 - MATERIALLS

through any three cornersof the element. bars #14

4 deg.for tension splice 1(saw-cut ends only,

Entireshearingandbendingtolerancesarecustomarilyab- #14 #18

3.2 - Lateral alignment

3.3 -Level alignment 4.4 -Cross-sectionaldimensions

117-10 AC1 STANDARD

Flat ................................................. %6 in. 5.3 - Fabrication tolerancesin planar elements

.......... -0 in. Not to exceed ............................. 3/s in.

SECTION 6 - MASONRY 8.2 - Lateral alignment

- SECTION 9 CANAL LINING -

11.3 -Level alignment SECTION 13 - CHIMNEYS AND COOLING

62.2 - Level alignment

was founded in 1905 as a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to

american concrete institute

Standard Specifications for Tolerancesfor Concrete Construction and Materials

By FRED A. ANDERSON specified for untopped elements in Section 5.4.3 of the

During the recent revision of AC1 303,the requirement

Normally, only the limited tolerances currently stated By DONALD F. MElNHElT

BY ROBERT F. YTTEABERG Committee 117 in March, 1986, in a paper entitled

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