Aisc's mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural steel-related technical and market-building activities, including: see continued mission on schedule ospecification and code development, research, education, technical assistance, quality certification, standardization, and market development.

Quality certification programs confirm to the construction industry that certified structural steel fabricating plants and erector companies have the personnel, organization, experience, procedures, knowledge, equipment, capability and commitment to produce fabricated steel of required quality for a given category of structural steel. In 2017, 1,713 plants were certified. the institute publishes publications that are essential references for draftsmen, contractors, engineers, detailers, architects, building officials and fabricators. Several of these publications are the primary text used in college level civil engineering courses. In 2017, 22,857 units were sold. the institute supports various research projects of interest to the structural steel industry through grants to universities and other non-profit organizations. The institute also issues the t. R. Higgins lectureship award to an outstanding lecturer and author whose technical paper or papers published during an eligibility period are considered an outstanding contribution to the engineering literature on fabricated structural steel. The winner will receive a cash award and present his/her lecture, upon request, at professional association events.