SNiP II-23-81* PDF

Full title and description

СНиП II-23-81* — "Стальные конструкции" (SNiP II-23-81*: Steel structures). National building code document establishing design rules, material requirements and calculation methods for steel building structures, originally approved by the State Committee for Construction (Gosstroy) of the USSR in 1981 and introduced on 1 January 1982.

Abstract

SNiP II-23-81* provides requirements for selection of materials, strength and stability calculations, joint and connection design (bolted, high-strength bolted, welded), serviceability limits and rules for special structural elements. It formed the basis for later consolidated rules (SP 16.13330 series) that update and modernize the SNiP provisions.

General information

• Status: Historically active SNiP; later superseded/updated by SP 16.13330 series (SP 16.13330.2011 and the revised SP 16.13330.2017). The consolidated SP 16.13330.2017 entered into force in 2017 and is the current updated compilation of the rules.
• Publication date: Approved by Gosstroy USSR 14 August 1981; introduced into effect 1 January 1982.
• Publisher: Originally approved and published under the authority of the State Committee for Construction (Gosstroy) of the USSR; later work and updates issued under the Ministry of Construction of the Russian Federation (Minstroy) as the SP 16.13330 series.
• ICS / categories: Buildings — Structures — Steel structures; ICS classification 91.080.13 (steel structures) / construction standards and structural design.
• Edition / version: SNiP II-23-81* (1981, with subsequent amendments). A formally updated set of rules was published as SP 16.13330.2011 and later revised as SP 16.13330.2017 (aktualizirovannaya redaktsiya SNiP II-23-81*).
• Number of pages: Typical modern electronic copies of the SNiP II-23-81* text are published in the range of ~90–100 pages for the original SNiP text (translations and collections vary by publisher and included amendments). (Example source lists ~97 pages for the SNiP II-23-81* release).

Scope

The standard applies to the design and calculation of steel building constructions of various purposes operating in normal temperature ranges (commonly cited operational range −60 °C to +100 °C for the updated SP version) and covers rolled and welded structural members used in buildings and industrial structures. The rules explicitly exclude certain specialized structures such as bridges, transportation tunnels and buried pipes, which are covered by separate standards. The SNiP served as the national normative basis until consolidated into the SP 16.13330 series.

Key topics and requirements

• Classification of structural elements by stress–strain state and corresponding design approaches (elastic, elastic–plastic, plastic).
• Material requirements, calculation (design) values of steel properties and safety factors for different production eras of steel.
• Rules for calculation of members under axial force, bending, combined action and stability (buckling) checks and associated effective length/flexural length definitions.
• Design and verification of connections: bolted joints, high‑strength bolted connections, welded joints and special connection types (flanges, splices).
• Serviceability limits, permissible deflections, detailing requirements, temperature joints and additional provisions for industrial buildings and structures.
• Requirements for assessment, testing and verification of existing structures (inspection, fatigue/endurance considerations and rules for retained structures during reconstruction).

Typical use and users

Primary users are structural and steel‑work engineers, design offices, construction contractors, technical auditors and academics involved in building design and structural calculations. The code is implemented in structural analysis and design software used in the CIS and by practitioners working with Russian standards; it is used both for new designs (historically) and as a reference for modernization, reconstruction and verification of existing steel structures.

Related standards

Key related documents include the updated SP 16.13330 series (SP 16.13330.2011 and SP 16.13330.2017 — the latter is the актуализированная редакция of SNiP II-23-81*), applicable GOST (Russian state standards) referenced within the code (material and welding standards), and other SP and SNiP documents on loads & actions, foundations, fire protection and climatology (examples: SP 20.13330, SP 22.13330, SP 131.13330).

Keywords

СНиП II-23-81*, SNiP II-23-81*, steel structures, стальные конструкции, structural design, bolted connections, welded connections, SP 16.13330, Gosstroy, Minstroy, GOST, building codes.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: SNiP II-23-81* is the Soviet (later Russian) set of design rules titled "Steel structures" that established calculation methods, material requirements and detailing rules for steel building structures; it was approved in 1981 and introduced on 1 January 1982.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers material properties, strength and stability calculations for steel members, connection design (bolted, high‑strength bolted, welded), serviceability limits, special requirements for industrial buildings, rules for assessment of existing structures and restrictions (it does not cover bridges, transport tunnels and certain buried pipelines). The consolidated SP 16.13330 texts carry forward and update these provisions.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Structural engineers, detailing and fabrication engineers, design offices, construction regulators and specialists involved in assessment, repair or reconstruction of steel framed buildings — and software vendors that implement Russian steel‑design codes.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The original SNiP II-23-81* text has been superseded by updated consolidated rules published as SP 16.13330.2011 and later revised as SP 16.13330.2017 (the 2017 edition is the updated, currently applied compilation of the SNiP requirements, with later amendments). Practitioners should consult the latest SP 16.13330 edition and amendments for current mandatory requirements.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes. SNiP II-23-81* sits within the broader SNiP family (norms for construction design) and has been folded into the SP 16.13330 series (the "Steel structures" set of rules). It is also cross‑referenced with other SNiP/SP documents and relevant GOST standards.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: Steel structures; SNiP II-23-81*; steel design; bolted connections; welded joints; stability; deflection limits; SP 16.13330; GOST (Russian standards).