Concrete Design method v.s. Concrete Design Check

[SKJ25POL]

Have a concrete structural element that was design in old time and possibly with WSD.
To evaluate the element capacity do I need to only use WSD to determine the capacity?
What things shall I consider if I check the element with USD method? Is USD giving lower or higher capacity compare to WSD calculations?
(Project is in US)

Thank you,
Skj

 

[JAE]

You should check the member under current code...which in the US for concrete usually means USD.

You can attempt to check the element under the code, or procedure, that the original design used (if you know it) simply to help you calibrate your loads and assumptions to what they did.
But the code that was in effect "way back when" doesn't apply today to public safety and welfare, only the current legally adopted code.

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