South African Steel Construction Handbook

The South African Steel Construction Handbook was published by the South African Institute of Steel Construction in Johannesburg. This 1988 revised hardcover edition, sometimes referred to as the “Red Book,” is a comprehensive technical manual prepared for engineers, architects and construction professionals working with structural steel in South Africa. It brings together design data, steel section properties, and practical guidance on aspects such as tension, compression, flexure and connections, reflecting local codes and practices in force at the time.

Widely regarded as an indispensable reference, the handbook was produced to serve both as a study text and a practical on-site resource, making it a cornerstone in South African structural engineering literature. The book is bound in red cloth-covered boards and was issued in durable hardcover format to withstand heavy professional use. Copies typically show general signs of handling but remain tightly bound with clean contents.