Structural Engineering · Engineering Glossary
ASCE 7 is the American Society of Civil Engineers standard that specifies the minimum loads — dead, live, wind, snow, seismic, flood, and other hazards — that structural engineers must use in designing buildings and other structures in the United States. It is referenced by the IBC and virtually all U.S. building codes.
ASCE 7 provides the load maps, load combination equations, and analysis procedures for each load type. Chapter 2 covers load combinations; Chapter 7 covers snow loads; Chapters 26–31 cover wind loads for the main wind force resisting system and components; Chapters 11–23 cover seismic design. The seismic hazard maps in ASCE 7 are derived from USGS probabilistic seismic hazard models and define the ground motion parameters Ss and S1 used to determine the Seismic Design Category. ASCE 7 is updated on a six-year cycle (most recently 2022); the edition adopted depends on the local IBC edition. Apex Grid's structural engineers apply the governing edition of ASCE 7 on every project.
Apex Grid Engineering maintains this glossary as a resource for architects, contractors, developers, and property owners who encounter unfamiliar engineering terminology on their projects.
View All Engineering TermsApex Grid's licensed PEs provide structural engineering services across multiple jurisdictions — with fast quote turnaround and permit-ready documents.
Request a Proposal