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Welcome to the ASCE Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) page
What is the ASCE Library?
The ASCE Library provides online access to a high-quality collection of civil engineering content. It contains articles from ASCE journals, papers from conference proceedings, and e-books and standards.
Are all ASCE books and standards available in the ASCE Library?
The ASCE Library contains selected e-books from 1998 to the present, including all in-print ASCE Manuals of Practice and ASCE Press titles.
Many books are available by the chapter. All current ASCE Standards are also available, although not by the chapter. New and backlist content is added throughout the year.
In what format(s) is content delivered?
All journal articles, proceedings papers, e-books, and standards are available in PDF format. Many proceedings papers are also available in a format called PDF with Links that features linked references wherever possible. Some journal articles and proceedings papers have references, URLs, and email addresses with live links. Journal articles from 2006 to the present are also available in full-text HTML.
Supplemental materials are available with some articles and books in a format provided by the author. Users may need specialized software to use these files. ASCE does not provide or support specialized software.
Are there any restrictions—or digital rights management (DRM)—on the content?
For all subscriptions and purchases, downloads are permitted for personal use only. Copying, replicating, and reposting to another website require permission from ASCE. Files are not “locked.” Each page of a downloaded PDF is watermarked with copyright information, the name of the person who downloaded the article, and the download date.
What is Saved Search?
Save your search parameters and receive email alerts. With a few simple clicks, you can create filters to automatically deliver personalized library content by subject, author, publication type, date and more. Learn more about using Saved Search.
How to download an E-book?
If your institution has an E-book and Standard subscription or package: You will need to go to the E-book abstract page. Click on the white button 'View PDF' at the top of the page. The book will open in our e-Reader. To download within the e-Reader, simply click on the download icon in top right of the screen. The E-book will begin downloading.
If you are an individual, please be sure you are logged in. To log in, Click on the Profile icon on top right of the screen.
- Select 'Profile' again.
- A window will open displaying any items you have purchased. Books display first, and any titles you own will appear below 'Publication Title'.
- Select the title you wish to download, which will direct you to the book's landing page.
- Click on the white button 'View PDF' at the top of the page. The book will open in our e-Reader.
- To download within the e-Reader, simply click on the download icon in top right of the screen. The E-book will begin downloading.
How do I find out whether my content has errata?
When typographical or technical errors are discovered after publication, errata may be issued to correct the errors. All errata are available as free downloads. For journal articles, a link to the errata is posted on the Details tab, under the heading “Editorially Related”. ASCE also participates in Crossmark, a multipublisher initiative that provides a standard way for readers to locate the authoritative version of a document (see ASCE’s Crossmark Policy). For books and standards, errata are posted on the title’s main abstract page, at the end of the table of contents. For proceedings papers, errata are posted on the main abstract page for the proceedings volume, at the end of the table of contents.
How to troubleshoot Firefox PDF issues?
Some users have problems accessing PDF files with Mozilla Firefox. This is caused by an issue with the built-in PDF viewer in Firefox. This may result in slow loading times or download errors. Users report that downloading a PDF through the viewer results in an error message that the file is corrupted or damaged, which prevents users from opening or using the file.
We suggest the following alternatives when using Firefox to view PDFs on the ASCE Library site:
- Download the PDF (right-click and choose Save As)
- Change Firefox settings to use another PDF reader (like Adobe). Instructions are on the Mozilla Support site.
For All Other Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-800-548-2723 (U.S. and Canada), 1-703-295-6300 (other locations)
ASCE Legacy Archive Disclaimer
The purpose of ASCE’s Legacy Archive is to provide readers and researchers with content pertaining to the built environment that is useful, scientifically rigorous, complete, and reproducible. The content found in the ASCE Legacy Archive is part of the scholarly record and may contain language that is deemed objectionable and/or offensive by contemporary standards. ASCE renounces prejudice and discrimination in all forms and is a member of the joint commitment to action on inclusivity and diversity in publishing, and is an adopting member of the Coalition for Diversity & Inclusion in Scholarly Communications.
How do I login/register?
Click the Login Icon 
at the top of this page, and follow prompts.
If you do not already have an ASCE Library login, you will be asked to register. If you are an ASCE member, you can login with your asce.org login.
Why am I receiving an Invalid Credentials message?
If you are receiving an error message (see image below), you may need to update your password. ASCE utilizes Single Sign-On, which allows users to use the same username and password to login to ASCE Library and ASCE's website. Click "Forgot Password" and then enter your email address to receive the password reset instructions.
I am receiving ASCE Library emails on multiple email accounts, what should I do?
If you have registered with the ASCE Library under more than one email address, we can merge these multiple accounts into one login. Please contact ASCE Customer Service via email or 703-295-6300 to get the process started.
Do ASCE members receive a discount?
Yes. ASCE member discounts will be applied during checkout.
Can individuals purchase and/or subscribe to content?
You can purchase a license for individual e-books and obtain access on a pay-per-view basis to journal articles, proceedings papers, and book chapters. Only ASCE members can purchase individual subscriptions to ASCE journals.
How does the purchase process work?
You can purchase access to ASCE Library content by clicking on any PDF or full-text HTML links at the title or article/chapter level. If you (or your institution) do not already have access to that content, you will be presented with purchase options. By clicking on the appropriate option - article/chapter, ASCE Library Card, or single-title e-book - you make your selection and the item will be added to your ASCE Library shopping cart. For more information, visit Making a Purchase.
Any applicable discounts will be reflected in the cart.
You need to be signed in to proceed through the payment process. Tax will be applied for any orders where the billing address is located in Washington, DC. Immediately after placing your online order, onscreen confirmation will appear and display links to your purchased content.
Clicking on those links will open the content in a new tab/window within your browser.
You will also receive an itemized order confirmation/receipt for your records from [email protected]. If you do not receive this email, please check your email program's spam folder and be sure to add [email protected] to your list of accepted senders.
How does Pay-Per-View work?
Individuals can purchase access to single journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters for $35 per article/paper/chapter.
Access is granted for an unlimited time to purchased articles, papers, and chapters. These articles will remain in your ASCE Library account for as long as the account is active. You can also download any purchased single-article PDF to your personal device. If you expect to download multiple articles in the course of a year, you should consider purchasing an ASCE Library Card, which provides for discounted access to 5 or 20 articles/papers/chapters.
What is an ASCE Library Card?
ASCE Library Cards allow you to purchase access to 5 or 20 articles/papers/chapters of your choosing at a substantial discount—as much as 75% off single-article prices. For more information visit the ASCE Library Store.
How do I access purchased content?
Immediately after placing your online order, onscreen confirmation will appear and display links to your purchased content. Clicking on those links will open the content in a new tab/window within your browser.
You can also log in to the ASCE Library at any time and visit “My Profile” (at top right of screen), and select “Subscriptions/Purchases” from left navigation, to access any previously purchased content. Pay-per-view journal articles, proceedings papers, and available book chapters will appear under the Articles and Chapters tab in “My Profile.” Purchased e-books will appear under the Books tab in “My Profile.” If you have a journal subscription that will appear in the “Subscriptions” tab. Purchased content can be downloaded to any computer or device. Access to these titles will remain in your ASCE Library account for as long as the account is active. ASCE Library Card downloads are accessible in your account for one year from the time of purchase and can also be downloaded to your personal device.
How long am I granted access to purchased and/or subscribed content?
Access to purchased content, whether single articles or e-books, will remain in your ASCE Library account for as long as the account is active.
Articles assigned to your ASCE Library Account are accessible at any time through “My Profile”, or they can be downloaded to your personal device. Subscription-based products, like individual journal subscriptions, will be accessible in your profile only for the duration of your subscription.
I downloaded a free article and it’s not showing up with my other articles/chapters in My Profile. What do I do?
Your download history in My Profile only shows purchased chapters/articles. You may download and store or print any content that is free to registered users.
What does a journal subscription cost?
You can find our most current subscription costs under Journal Subscription Information. ASCE Members receive a 75% discount off the subscription list price.
How to download an E-book?
Now that you purchased an E-book or Standard you will need to download it. You will need to be logged into the ASCE Library to download an E-book. Once you are logged in, and on the E-book abstract page, you simply click on the white button 'View PDF' at the top of the page. The book will open in our e-Reader. To download within the e-Reader, simply click on the download icon in top right of the screen. The E-book will begin downloading.
For All Other Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-800-548-2723 (U.S. and Canada), 1-703-295-6300 (other locations)
ASCE Legacy Archive Disclaimer
The purpose of ASCE’s Legacy Archive is to provide readers and researchers with content pertaining to the built environment that is useful, scientifically rigorous, complete, and reproducible. The content found in the ASCE Legacy Archive is part of the scholarly record and may contain language that is deemed objectionable and/or offensive by contemporary standards. ASCE renounces prejudice and discrimination in all forms and is a member of the joint commitment to action on inclusivity and diversity in publishing, and is an adopting member of the Coalition for Diversity & Inclusion in Scholarly Communications.
What are the options for access?
Institutions can subscribe to journals, proceedings, e-books, and standards on a yearly basis in a variety of combinations. Librarians can find more information on subscription options and rates.
Access to e-books and standards can be purchased as an annual subscription or as a one-time purchase. The one-time purchase provides perpetual access to all current-year ASCE e-book titles plus perpetual access to the complete backlist of more than 300 e-books. You will have the option to expand your collection by purchasing new titles each year. For more information on e-books and standards, including package options and pricing, visit E-books and Standards.
What is the difference between perpetual access and an annual subscription?
An annual subscription is leased online access to content within the ASCE Library. That access expires each year unless the subscription is renewed. All content in the ASCE Library can be purchased as an annual subscription in a variety of combinations. Learn more about our subscription options and rates.
Perpetual access, or a one-time purchase, is only available for e-books and standards. For a base price, institutions can purchase perpetual access to all current-year e-books and standards plus perpetual access to the complete backlist. The purchase does not need to be renewed each year; however, after the initial purchase is made, institutions will need to purchase new titles each year in order to expand their collection, and they may be subject to a platform fee. Learn more about purchase options for E-books and Standards.
What are the costs involved?
For annual subscriptions, view our most recent subscription options and rates. For perpetual access purchase of e-books and standards, view our most recent E-books and Standards offers.
How to download an E-book?
If your institution has an E-book and Standard subscription or package: You will need to go to the E-book abstract page. Click on the white button 'View PDF' at the top of the page. The book will open in our e-Reader. To download within the e-Reader, simply click on the download icon in top right of the screen. The E-book will begin downloading.
For All Other Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-800-548-2723 (U.S. and Canada), 1-703-295-6300 (other locations)
ASCE Legacy Archive Disclaimer
The purpose of ASCE’s Legacy Archive is to provide readers and researchers with content pertaining to the built environment that is useful, scientifically rigorous, complete, and reproducible. The content found in the ASCE Legacy Archive is part of the scholarly record and may contain language that is deemed objectionable and/or offensive by contemporary standards. ASCE renounces prejudice and discrimination in all forms and is a member of the joint commitment to action on inclusivity and diversity in publishing, and is an adopting member of the Coalition for Diversity & Inclusion in Scholarly Communications.
What is the ASCE Member Yearly Article Pack?
As an active ASCE member, you are eligible to receive five free downloads in the ASCE Library each year. This may include journal or magazine articles, proceedings papers, or book chapters (but not an entire book or standard). Please note that student members do not qualify for this member benefit. You will most likely have access to the content through your university library.
ASCE Digital Content is non-returnable and non-refundable. Once you apply the ASCE Member Yearly Article Pack credit for an article or chapter download it will be part of your ASCE Library account and is not returnable.
How do I access my ASCE Member Yearly Article Pack?
You will need to log in to the ASCE Library with your ASCE login. Once logged in, select a journal or magazine article, book chapter, or proceedings paper you would like to read (e.g. 10.1061/JBENF2.BEENG-6118). Click the green ‘Get Access’ button.
Select “Apply an ASCE Member Yearly download credit.”
How do I know how many remaining articles download credits I have in my account?
Log into the ASCE Library. Then select Your Profile (probably your name) in top right corner. And then ‘My Profile.” A new window will display Subscriptions / Purchases. Click on ‘Article/Chapters ’ tab (default display is Books). You will see ASCE Member Yearly Article Pack, and it will display how many articles are remaining for the year.
Do unused ASCE Member Article Pack credits rollover?
No, any unused credits will not rollover but on January 1 of each year you will receive 5 new credits when you log in to the ASCE Library.
How long do ASCE Member articles that I downloaded remain on my account?
Articles that you download using your 5 free credits will remain in your profile with perpetual access as long as you maintain an account in the ASCE Library.
For All Other Inquiries
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 1-800-548-2723 (U.S. and Canada), 1-703-295-6300 (other locations)
ASCE Legacy Archive Disclaimer
The purpose of ASCE’s Legacy Archive is to provide readers and researchers with content pertaining to the built environment that is useful, scientifically rigorous, complete, and reproducible. The content found in the ASCE Legacy Archive is part of the scholarly record and may contain language that is deemed objectionable and/or offensive by contemporary standards. ASCE renounces prejudice and discrimination in all forms and is a member of the joint commitment to action on inclusivity and diversity in publishing, and is an adopting member of the Coalition for Diversity & Inclusion in Scholarly Communications.