The real power of the PCA Notes lies in its design aids (tables and graphs). If you have the hard copy or PDF, bookmark these specific sections:
The PCA Notes on ACI 318-19 is more than a reference book; it is a mentorship in print. For decades, it has been the silent partner in the design of thousands of skyscrapers, bridges, parking garages, and foundations. By translating the dense, legal prose of ACI 318 into clear explanations and practical examples, the PCA Notes empower engineers to design safer, more economical, and more elegant concrete structures.
Whether you are prepping for the PE exam, updating your firm’s standard details to the 2019 code, or simply trying to understand why ACI calls for a particular factor of safety, the PCA Notes on ACI 318-19 is the single best investment you can make in your concrete design career.
Final Verdict: If you own ACI 318-19, buy the PCA Notes. If you are a structural engineer and own neither, buy both—your stamp depends on it.
About the Author: This article was prepared for professional engineers, architects, and concrete specifiers seeking clarity on the latest ACI 318 provisions. Always verify design assumptions with the primary code and local building codes.
PCA (Portland Cement Association) Notes on ACI 318-19 is a critical companion resource designed to help engineers transition to and apply the latest structural concrete code. Unlike the code itself, these notes provide background, rationale, and worked examples for complex design scenarios.
Here is a summary post outlining the key updates and features found in the PCA Notes for this cycle. Core Updates in PCA Notes on ACI 318-19 High-Strength Reinforcement pca notes on aci 31819
: Detailed guidance on the new provisions allowing for reinforcement yield strengths up to 100,000 psi (Grade 100) for most applications, including seismic design. Deep Beam and Shear Design
: Updated walkthroughs for the revised shear strength equations, which now account for the size effect in members without minimum shear reinforcement. Shotcrete Integration
: For the first time, shotcrete is fully integrated into the code. The PCA notes clarify the design and inspection requirements now unified with traditional cast-in-place concrete. Development Lengths
: New calculation examples for modified development length requirements, particularly for high-strength rebar and seismic hooks. Seismic Provisions
: In-depth commentary on the updated shear wall and moment frame requirements, including new drift limits and detailing for special structural walls. Why the PCA Notes are Essential ACI 318-19 Code the requirements are, the PCA Notes focus on the Worked Examples
: Features dozens of step-by-step design problems (e.g., column design, two-way slabs, and footings) that reflect the new code organization. Simplified Explanations The real power of the PCA Notes lies
: Breaks down dense technical jargon into practical engineering workflows. Cross-Referencing
: Easily links specific code sections to their practical applications in common building projects. Key Technical Specs at a Glance ACI 318-19 Requirement PCA Notes Coverage Max Rebar Strength Up to 100,000 psi Detailing for Grade 80 & 100 Concrete Cover 3-in. for ground contact Durability Detailing Column Steel % 1% to 8% of gross area Optimization Examples Core Testing for 3-core average Acceptance Criteria Workflows worked example
(e.g., shear wall design or column detailing) from the PCA notes? 318 Building Code Topic - American Concrete Institute 1 Nov 2023 —
One of the most valuable aspects of the PCA Notes is the "Design Procedure" sections found at the start of most chapters.
Example: Designing a Rectangular Beam (Chapter 9) Instead of hunting through ACI 318-19 Sections 9.3.3, 9.7, etc., the PCA Notes provides a numbered list:
Why this matters: This workflow ensures you don't miss a code requirement (like minimum cover or crack width) that might be buried in a different section of the code. About the Author: This article was prepared for
This is the most used section for concrete design.
One of the most substantial shifts in ACI 318-19 is the expanded material palette.
The perimeter definition for critical sections (b0) can be tricky. The PCA Notes include diagrams for interior, edge, and corner columns, showing exactly how to calculate the shear stress vu and compare it to φVc (including the new size effect modification for β).
The appendices include design aids that are not in the code itself:
Abstract
The PCA Notes on ACI 318-19 (referred to as “PCA Notes”) serves as an essential companion to the American Concrete Institute’s ACI 318-19 building code. It provides detailed design examples, step-by-step calculations, and practical interpretations of code provisions. This paper synthesizes the key structural design topics covered in the PCA Notes, including flexure, shear, torsion, development length, two-way slabs, columns, walls, foundations, seismic provisions, and strut-and-tie modeling. Emphasis is placed on code changes from ACI 318-14 to ACI 318-19 and common pitfalls.