Confirm the ACI 318 edition the adopted building code references, then trace concrete strengths, reinforcement, cover, development and splice information, and inspections from the structural notes into the schedules, details, and specifications. AI can flag conflicts; the structural engineer confirms the design.
What does ACI 318 cover?
ACI describes ACI 318 as providing minimum requirements for the materials, design, and detailing of structural concrete buildings and, where applicable, nonbuilding structures, and notes that it is used through adoption by reference in a general building code. ACI distinguishes design codes, directed to the design professional, from construction specifications such as ACI 301, which direct the producers, testing agencies, and construction team.
ACI’s store lists ACI CODE-318-25, Building Code for Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary, as the current edition; the previous edition appears as ACI CODE-318-19(22). Checked October 5, 2026. The edition on a project is the one the adopted building code references, and an older one is common. One set should not mix editions.
Project specifications often cite ACI SPEC-301-20, ACI’s reference specification for concrete construction. Compare the concrete specification section with the drawings in the concrete specifications guide, and the loads behind the design in the ASCE 7 guide.
Gather the concrete design basis and its schedules
Collect the structural general notes, foundation and framing plans, footing, column, beam, slab, and wall schedules, typical and specific reinforcement details, sections, the concrete and reinforcement specification sections, the special inspection statement, the geotechnical report, and any post-tensioning or precast requirements for delegated design.
Schedules and typical details are often reused from earlier projects. Check their headings and notes, since an older table can carry an older edition with it.
Trace each concrete element through the set
| Review question | Sources to compare | Decision to record |
|---|---|---|
| Edition | Structural notes, schedule and table headings, details, specifications | Confirm every note and table uses the same ACI 318 edition. |
| Concrete properties | Structural notes, schedules, specification mix requirements | Match strengths and exposure descriptions by element across sources. |
| Reinforcement | Schedules, plans, sections, typical details | Reconcile bar sizes, counts, and ties for the same element across sources. |
| Cover, development, and splices | Typical details, schedules, notes | Check the details state this information and do not contradict the schedules. |
| Openings and embedded items | Structural plans, MEP sleeves and sumps, architectural plans | Find openings and recesses shown in only one discipline. |
| Inspections and testing | Special inspection statement, specifications, notes | Confirm inspections and tests named in one document appear in the others. |
Use the concrete and reinforcement checklist as the working log. In Groundbook’s published reinforced-concrete foundation review, the scheduled column tie spacing exceeded the limit cited for the scheduled bars and column widths, and the footing plan and schedule gave different sizes and reinforcement.
Example: two ACI 318 editions on one sheet
Published finding. In Groundbook’s published neighborhood grocery review, the structural design criteria named ACI 318-19, while the development-length table on the same sheet was headed ACI 318-11. The same finding noted building and plumbing code editions that differed between disciplines.
Building, concrete, and plumbing code editions do not match. Confirm the code basis on the permit and make each discipline’s notes use that basis. Pick one ACI 318 edition and check the development table against it.
The structural engineer confirms the edition and checks the table against it. Whether the tabulated lengths are adequate is an engineering decision; the finding is that the set states two editions.
Review concrete drawings with Groundbook
Upload the current drawings and specifications to Groundbook, and state the edition, amendments, and review scope in your instructions. Add the ACI 318 edition the project uses from a copy you are licensed to use, where the license permits uploading it, and the jurisdiction’s published amendments. See how Groundbook works with local and licensed codes.
Compare the structural notes, schedules, tables, reinforcement details, sections, and concrete specifications. Flag mixed ACI 318 editions, reinforcement or concrete properties that differ for the same element, openings shown in only one discipline, and inspections named in one document only. Use the supplied ACI 318 edition and cite both sources.
Groundbook links each potential finding to the sheets and schedules involved. Verify the edition the adopted code references before sending a comment.
Document review does not design members or certify the reinforcement, and it does not replace the engineer of record, the special inspector, or the building official.