American Institute of Steel Construction

What American Institute of Steel Construction does

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited technical institute and trade association founded in 1921 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with 101-250 employees. It serves the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) community — primarily structural engineers, steel fabricators, architects, detailers, general contractors, bridge engineers, and university programs — by developing and maintaining the authoritative suite of US structural steel standards, including ANSI/AISC 360 (Specification for Structural Steel Buildings), AISC 303 (Code of Standard Practice), AISC 341 (Seismic Provisions), and the newer stainless steel standards ANSI/AISC 370 and 313.

AISC's core product portfolio centers on its content library: the 2,432-page Steel Construction Manual (16th Edition), the 2,040+-page Seismic Design Manual (4th Edition), the Detailing Manual (3rd Edition), over 40 Design Guides, more than 100 ASTM partner standards, and historic archives dating to 1927. Around these publications it has built supporting tools and digital services, including the Clark AI chatbot for standards retrieval, the Structural Steel Dimensioning Tool, the AISC Shapes Database (v16.0), digital subscription editions, the AISC Learning Portal, and data standards such as steelXML for BIM/VDC interoperability. Adjacent programs include the Fabricator Education Training Program, the Detailer Training Series, the Student Steel Bridge Competition, and K-12 outreach, which together build the industry's workforce pipeline.

AISC generates revenue across six streams: membership fees (with 50% publication discounts and member-only benefits), publication sales (one-time print and multi-year digital subscriptions), conference revenue (NASCC: The Steel Conference), certification programs for fabricators, digital subscriptions, and a licensing partnership with ASTM. Distribution spans AISC's own e-commerce site and Learning Portal, third-party electronic reference services (Accuris, MADCAD, TECHSTREET, Nimonik), book resellers, and the International Code Council. The 2026 introduction of bulk discounts for Professional Member firms with 10+ registered members indicates ongoing monetization refinement aimed at larger enterprise accounts.

Name

American Institute of Steel Construction

Legal name

American Institute of Steel Construction

Website

https://aisc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) is a not-for-profit ANSI-accredited technical institute and trade association that develops and maintains US structural steel standards, publishes technical manuals and design guides, runs education and certification programs, and hosts NASCC: The Steel Conference for structural engineers, fabricators, architects, and detailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Structural Steel Standards & Technical Publications

NAICS

Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services (5413), Engineering Services (541330), Architectural and Structural Metals Manufacturing (3323)

SIC

Services-Engineering Services (8711)

akta.pro primary industry

Structural Steel Fabrication (IMADACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Steel Plate, Sections & Welded Assemblies (IMADACAD), Welding Codes, Safety & Compliance Training (AWS/ASME/OSHA) (EDAOADAG), Steel Erection & Structural Ironwork (EDAOAAAJ)

Keywords

• Structural steel standards
• Steel design manuals
• Steel construction education
• Steel fabrication certification
• Engineering design guides

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: AISC generates revenue through membership subscriptions offering 50% discounts on publications, free downloads, and member-only benefits.
2. Publication Sales: Sale of standards, manuals, design guides, and technical documents in print and digital formats. Steel Construction Manual (Member $250, Non-member $500), Seismic Design Manual (Member $125, Non-member $250). Many standards available free as PDFs.
3. Conference Revenue: NASCC: The Steel Conference and other industry events generate revenue through registration fees and exhibition hall sponsorships.
4. Certification Programs: AISC certification programs for fabricators and other industry participants provide another revenue stream.
5. Digital Subscriptions: Online subscriptions for Steel Construction Manual and Seismic Design Manual with 1-year or 5-year terms. Learning portal for continuing education.
6. ASTM Standards Partnership: AISC partners with ASTM to make over 100 ASTM standards available online via annual subscription (Member $225, Non-member $450).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

American Institute of Steel Construction is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association that develops ANSI-accredited standards for structural steel design, fabrication, and erection (AISC 360, 303, 341, 313, 370, etc.) and publishes authoritative technical manuals, design guides, and digital tools. It sells publications (Steel Construction Manual, Seismic Design Manual, Detailing Manual), runs the NASCC: The Steel Conference, operates the AISC Learning Portal for continuing education, and administers fabricator certification and sustainability programs for the AEC community.

Product overview

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) is a not-for-profit structural steel technical institute that offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the steel design and construction industry. The core offerings include the Steel Construction Manual (16th Edition), Seismic Design Manual (4th Edition), and Detailing Manual (3rd Edition), along with over 40 Design Guides covering specialized topics. AISC publishes current standards including ANSI/AISC 303, 360, 341, 342, 358, 313, 370, 207, 420, and N690, plus RCSC Standards. The organization provides digital subscriptions through AISC Learning Portal and Digital Editions, technical tools including Clark (chatbot), Structural Steel Dimensioning Tool, and SteelTools.org. Education programs include Fabricator Education Training, Detailer Training Series, University Programs, and K-12 resources. AISC also manages the Sustainability Partner Program, Sustainability Toolkits, IDEAS Awards, and organizes NASCC: The Steel Conference. The institute supports industry interoperability through steelXML and BIM & VDC Resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AISC Education Foundation: Foundation supporting education programs, scholarships, and workforce development for the steel industry
• Architecture Center
• Modern Steel Construction
• NASCC: The Steel Conference
• SteelDays

Products and services

• Steel Construction Manual (16th Edition) The flagship 2,432-page reference containing dimensions and properties, general design considerations, design of flexural/compression/tension members, design considerations for bolts and welds, connecting elements, shear connections, moment connections, bracing connections, bearing plates, column base plates, anchor rods, and specifications and codes, for structural engineers and steel designers.
• Seismic Design Manual (4th Edition) Contains over 2,040 pages of seismic design information for steel structures with hundreds of comprehensive design examples including connections, updated for 2022 AISC Seismic Provisions, including LRFD and ASD design methodologies, for structural engineers designing seismic-resistant steel buildings.
• Detailing Manual (3rd Edition) Valuable resources for steel detailers providing guidance on detailing for steel construction, for steel detailers and fabrication professionals.
• AISC Design Guides A collection of 40 design guides produced over 30 years providing detailed information on specialized topics related to structural steel design and construction, including stainless steel bolting, end-plate moment connections, welded connections, and base connection design, for structural engineers and designers.
• AISC Current Standards A collection of current ANSI-accredited standards including ANSI/AISC 303, 360, 341, 342, 358, 313, 370, 207, 420, and N690, plus RCSC Standard for High-Strength Bolts, for structural engineers and the AEC community.
• ASTM Standards Online Subscription An annual subscription partnership with ASTM International providing over 100 ASTM standards available online, for structural engineers and AEC professionals needing ASTM standards supporting structural steel design.
• Digital Editions Browser-based digital access platform for AISC manuals featuring single/two-page view, contents bookmarks, searchable text, annotations (sticky notes, highlighting, underlining), text selection, and offline capability, for users of AISC technical manuals.
• Clark (AI Chatbot) An AI chatbot that searches through thousands of pages of steel standards and technical documents to answer technical questions, for structural engineers and steel design professionals.
• Structural Steel Dimensioning Tool An interactive one-stop shop for detailing dimensions for all rolled sections including W, M, S, HP, C, MC, L, HSS shapes, quickly displaying detailing dimensions from the Steel Construction Manual, for steel detailers and structural engineers.
• Modern Steel Construction Magazine A monthly periodical covering news, technical articles, project features, and industry updates for the structural steel community, for the AEC community.
• Engineering Journal A quarterly publication featuring research and technical articles on structural steel design and construction, for structural engineering researchers and practitioners.
• AISC Learning Portal Premier source for continuing education on steel design and construction topics offered in various formats for professional development hours for licensure renewal, for structural engineers, architects, and construction professionals.
• Fabricator Education Training Program Online training courses featuring award-winning video-based content for fabricators, covering fundamentals, layout and fitup, welding, torch cutting, bolting, QC inspection, and coatings, for steel fabrication professionals and their workforce.
• Detailer Training Series Online Course Free online course providing introduction to roles and responsibilities of steel detailers, consisting of 10 modules with approximately 120 hours of content, for steel detailers and those entering the detailing profession.
• Sustainability Partner Program Program recognizing sustainable practices of the American structural steel fabrication industry, celebrating fabricators who demonstrate knowledge and dedication to reducing environmental impacts, for steel fabricators and the supply chain.
• NASCC: The Steel Conference Annual conference bringing together steel industry professionals for technical sessions, professional development hours, exhibition hall, and networking opportunities, for structural engineers, fabricators, detailers, architects, and contractors.
• IDEAS Awards Program Annual awards program celebrating excellence in adaptive reuse, architecture, constructability, engineering, and sustainable design and construction in steel building projects, for project teams and building owners.
• steelXML Data exchange standard for structural steel facilitating interoperability in BIM workflows, for steel detailers, fabricators, and BIM/VDC professionals.
• Historic Standards and Manuals Archive Collection of historic steel standards, construction manuals dating back to 1927, and historic shape references from various steel mills, for historical research and reference.

Quantifiable outcome

• 96% recycled content in structural steel production (1,860 lbs of scrap per ton)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative effort between AASHTO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) and NSBA (National Steel Bridge Alliance) providing standards, guidelines, and resources for steel bridge design and construction. AISC participates in this collaboration to advance steel bridge industry standards.
• Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRCSC is a non-profit volunteer organization of over 85 leading experts in structural steel connection design, engineering, fabrication, erection and bolting. AISC co-publishes standards and design guides with RCSC, including the RCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts and Design Guide 41 on stainless steel bolts.
• ASTM InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISC partners with ASTM to make over 100 ASTM standards available online via annual subscription through the AISC website. This partnership provides members and customers access to complementary standards that support structural steel design and construction.
• AIA/AISC Design CollaborationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration between the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and AISC to support architects designing with structural steel. Includes joint resources, education, and initiatives through the AISC Architecture Center.
• American Welding SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for K-12 educational materials, including a collaborative coloring page for designing a welder's helmet. Supports workforce development outreach to students.
• Steel Tube InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISC developed the industry-wide Environmental Product Declaration for Fabricated Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) in conjunction with the Steel Tube Institute, supporting Buy Clean and sustainability initiatives.
• Ironworker Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIMPACT provided funding to transform the AISC/NISD Detailer Training Series from 12 CDs to a free online course. This partnership enables accessible training for steel detailers industrywide.
• University of Arkansas - CERECminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAISC sponsors research at the University of Arkansas's Center for Earthquake Research Collaboration (CEREC) for improving earthquake-resistant construction. The large-scale earthquake simulation test sponsored by AISC measured up to 180,000 pounds of pressure on steel beams.
• Accuris (formerly IHS)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party electronic reference service providing licensing for multiple users and secure PDFs of AISC content. AISC licenses content to Accuris for distribution.
• MADCADminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party electronic reference service providing electronic licensing and access options for AISC content to individuals or entire companies globally.
• TECHSTREET (now part of Accuris)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party electronic reference service for AISC standards and technical content distribution.
• NimonikminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThird-party electronic reference service providing regulatory and standards content access for AISC publications.
• International Code CouncilminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndependent book reseller offering AISC publications with various shipping options. AISC member discounts cannot be applied to third-party purchases.
• Capone Iron CorporationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal beta tester of AISC's Sustainability Partner Program. Demonstrated sustainable practices in structural steel fabrication.
• Garbe Iron Works, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal beta tester of AISC's Sustainability Partner Program. Demonstrated sustainable practices in structural steel fabrication.
• Novel Iron Works, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal beta tester of AISC's Sustainability Partner Program. Demonstrated sustainable practices in structural steel fabrication.
• SteelFab, Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOriginal beta tester of AISC's Sustainability Partner Program. Demonstrated sustainable practices in structural steel fabrication.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• International Code Council (ICC): Developer of the I-Codes that incorporate AISC standards by reference and an active reseller channel partner for AISC publications. Closely comparable as a standards and code body operating in the same construction permit and regulatory ecosystem.
• Research Council on Structural Connections (RCSC): Non-profit AISC partner co-publishing the Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts and Design Guide 41. Directly comparable given the joint standards and design guide publishing model and tightly overlapping audience of structural engineers and fabricators.
• ASTM International: ANSI-accredited standards development organization for materials, including over 100 steel-related standards that AISC bundles via the AISC/ASTM subscription partnership. Directly comparable as a peer standards body serving the same engineering customer base with similar subscription and publication revenue models.
• ASME International: ANSI-accredited standards developer for mechanical and pressure equipment engineering with comparable membership, publication, conference, and certification revenue streams. Serves as a close structural analogue to AISC given parallel operating model.
• National Steel Bridge Alliance (NSBA): Co-host with AISC of the AISC/NSBA Prize Bridge Awards and the AASHTO/NSBA Steel Bridge Collaboration. Directly comparable as a peer industry organization advancing steel bridge design, with close operational ties but distinct member base focused on bridge engineers.
• American Institute of Architects (AIA): AISC's formal design collaboration partner, AIA is a comparable AEC-focused professional association providing continuing education, contract documents, and advocacy. Directly comparable given the joint AIA/AISC Architecture Center and overlapping architect membership.
• American Welding Society (AWS): Standards body for welding codes and certifications (D1.1, CWI) that are foundational to AISC's connected design guidance. Directly comparable as a peer trade association serving the structural steel fabrication and inspection community with overlapping members and customers.
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE): Long-standing engineering professional society publishing codes and standards (e.g., ASCE 7 for structural design loads) that are co-referenced with AISC standards. Highly comparable as a peer technical association with similar revenue mix of membership, publications, and continuing education.
• Steel Tube Institute: Industry trade association collaborating with AISC on the industry-wide EPD for Fabricated Hollow Structural Sections (HSS). Directly comparable as a smaller steel-product-focused trade association operating with similar advocacy, EPD, and member engagement models.

Broad incumbents

• American Concrete Institute (ACI): ANSI-accredited standards body for concrete design (ACI 318, ACI 301) that competes for code-share and market share with steel in structural framing decisions. Comparable as a peer technical institute serving structural engineers with analogous publications, certifications, and conventions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat8 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aisc
• Facebookfacebook.com/AISCdotORG

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about American Institute of Steel Construction