How do you update your structural engineering standards library?

1 Identify your sources

The first step is to identify the sources of the standards that are relevant to your field and scope of work. Depending on your location, project type, and client requirements, you may need to follow standards from different levels of authority, such as national, regional, local, or sector-specific. For example, if you work on bridges in the United States, you may need to use standards from the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), and the American Concrete Institute (ACI). You can find the sources of standards by consulting your colleagues, mentors, clients, regulators, or industry publications.

2 Subscribe to updates

The second step is to subscribe to the updates of the standards that you use or need to use. Standards are constantly revised, updated, or replaced to reflect the latest research, technology, practice, or regulation. You don't want to miss any important changes that could affect your work or expose you to liability. You can subscribe to updates by registering with the standards development organizations (SDOs), joining their mailing lists, newsletters, or alerts, or following their social media accounts. You can also use online platforms or databases that aggregate and update standards from multiple sources, such as ASTM Compass, IHS Markit, or Techstreet.

3 Review and download

The third step is to review and download the updates of the standards that you subscribe to. You should check your email, notifications, or feeds regularly for any announcements or notices of new or revised standards. You should also review the summary, scope, or abstract of the standards to see if they are applicable or relevant to your work. If they are, you should download the full text of the standards in PDF or other formats and save them in your computer or cloud storage. You should also organize your standards library by categorizing, naming, or tagging the files according to your preferences.

4 Implement and share

The fourth step is to implement and share the updates of the standards that you use. You should read and understand the content, requirements, and implications of the standards and apply them to your current or future projects. You should also update your software, tools, or templates to reflect the changes in the standards. You should also share the updates with your team members, colleagues, clients, or contractors and explain how they affect your work or collaboration. You should also document your compliance with the standards and keep records of the versions and dates that you use.

5 Learn and provide feedback

The fifth step is to learn and provide feedback on the standards that you use. You should seek opportunities to learn more about the standards and their rationale, benefits, or challenges. You can do this by attending webinars, workshops, courses, or conferences hosted by the SDOs or other experts. You can also read articles, reports, or case studies that showcase the application or impact of the standards. You should also provide feedback on the standards and their updates to the SDOs or other stakeholders. You can do this by participating in surveys, polls, forums, or committees that solicit input or suggestions for improvement.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?