Applies to the design, fabrication, erection, repair and alteration of steelwork associated with boilers, pressure vessels, lifts, cranes, mining equipment, gas and liquid petroleum piping systems, bulk handling equipment, and the like in accordance with the working stress design method, but does not apply to road and rail bridges, material less than 3mm thick, steel for which the design yield stress exceed 450MPa, and cold-formed members other than those complying with AS1163.

This Standard applies to the design, fabrication, erection, repair and alteration of steelwork associated with boilers and pressure vessels, lifts, cranes, mining equipment, gas and liquid petroleum piping systems, bulk handling equipment and the like, in accordance with the working stress design method.The Standard does not apply to the following structures and materials:(a) Road and railway bridges.(b) Steel elements, other than packers, less than 3 mm thick.(c) Steel for which the value FY used in design exceeds 450 MPa.(d) Cold-formed members other than those complying with AS 1163.Steelwork may be designed to-(i) the limit states design method of AS 4100; or(ii) the working stress design method of AS 3990 (this Standard).NOTE: It is intended that the working stress method will be phased out in Australia as it is phased out internationally.

AS 3390 first published in part as AS CA1-1933.Second edition 1939.Revised and issued as Int. 351-1952.Revised and issued as AS CA1-1968.Fourth edition 1972.AS 1250 first published 1972.AS CA1-1972 and AS 1250-1972 revised, amalgamated and issued as AS 1250-1975.AS CA1-1972 withdrawn 1976.Third edition as AS 1250-1981.Revised and redesignated in part as AS 3990(Int)-1991.Revised and issued as AS 3990-1993.Reconfirmed 2016. AS 3990 first published in part as AS CAI-1933. Second edition 1939. Revised and issued as SAA Int. 351-1952. Revised and issued as AS CAI-1968. Fourth edition 1972. AS 1250 first published 1972. AS CAI-1972 and AS 1250-1972 revised, amalgamated and issued as AS 1250-1975. AS CAI-1972 withdrawn 1976. Third edition as AS 1250-1981. Revised and redesignated in part as AS 3990(Int)-1991. Revised and issued as AS 3990-1993.