Top-of-Column Concrete Elevation Tolerance

International Concrete Abstracts Portal

The International Concrete Abstracts Portal is an ACI led collaboration with leading technical organizations from within the international concrete industry and offers the most comprehensive collection of published concrete abstracts.

  


Title: Top-of-Column Concrete Elevation Tolerance

Author(s): James Klinger, Jeremiah Mistele, Frank Salzano, Eamonn F. Connolly, and Bruce A. Suprenant

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 48

Issue: 2

Appears on pages(s): 33-37

Keywords: tolerance, elevation, specification, formwork, constructability

DOI:

Date: 2/1/2026

Abstract:
In this article, information is provided regarding top-of-column tolerances and their impacts on constructability and productivity. The authors recommend that key ACI committees provide guidance on top-of-column tolerance specifications.

Related References:

1. Joint ACI-ASCC Committee 117, “Specification for Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Materials (ACI SPEC-117-10) (Reapproved 2015),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2010, 76 pp.

2. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code for Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary (ACI CODE-318-25),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2025, 702 pp.

3. Johnston, D.W., Formwork for Concrete, SP-4, eighth edition, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2014, 512 pp.

4. Concrete Society Working Party, Formwork: A Guide to Good Practice, third edition, The Concrete Society, Berkshire, UK, 2012, 300 pp.

5. McAdam, P.S., and Lee, G.W., Formwork: A Practical Guide, first edition, Taylor & Francis, London, UK, 1997, 200 pp.

6. Suprenant, B.A., and Malisch, W.R., Tolerances for Cast-in-Place Concrete Buildings, American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis, MO, 2009, 143 pp.

7. Hurd, M.K., Formwork for Concrete, SP-4, third edition, American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 1973, 363 pp.

8. ACI Committee 435, “Observed Deflections of Reinforced Concrete Slab Systems, and Causes of Large Deflections (ACI PRC-435.8R-85) (Reapproved 1997),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 1985, 47 pp.

9. Taylor, P.J., and Heiman, J.L., “Long-Term Deflection of Reinforced Concrete Flat Slabs and Plates,” ACI Journal Proceedings, V. 74, No. 11, Nov. 1977, pp. 556-561. doi: 10.14359/11046

10. Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat Committee 25, “Creep, Shrinkage, and Temperature Effects,” Chapter CB-1O, Monograph on Planning and Design of Tall Buildings, American Society of Civil Engineers, New York, 1978, pp. 425-500.

11. Mitchell, D.M., and Cook, W.D., “Preventing Progressive Collapse of Slab Structures,” Journal of Structural Engineering, ASCE, V. 110, No. 7, July 1984, pp. 1513-1532. doi: 10.1061/(ASCE)0733-9445(1984)110:7(1513)

12. Joint ACI-PTI Committee 320, “Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete—Code Requirements and Commentary (ACI/PTI CODE-320-25),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2025, 168 pp.




  

Edit Module Settings to define Page Content Reviewer