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SPECIFYING MATERIALS?
By Charles J. Carter, PE sile strength can be obtained by specify-
Part one ing ASTM A572 grade 60 (applicable to
T
tensile group 1 and 2 W-shapes only),
in a HE MATERIALS AND PRODUCTS USED
IN BUILDING DESIGN AND CONSTRUC- ASTM A572 grade 65 (applicable to ten-
TION are almost universally desig- sile group 1 W-shapes only) or ASTM
three- nated by reference to an appropriate A913 grades 60, 65 or 70. W-shapes
ASTM specification. This simplifies the with atmospheric corrosion resistance
part design and construction process because (weathering) characteristics can be
all characteristics of the product speci- obtained by specifying ASTM A588
series: fied are defined by simple reference to grade 50. Other material specifications
an approved standard. However, with applicable to W-shapes include ASTM
structural dozens of ASTM specifications applica- A529 grade 42 (tensile group 1 W-
ble in steel building construction alone shapes only), A529 grade 50 (tensile
shapes and several new ones now available, it groups 1 and 2 W-shapes only), A572
can be challenging to keep the standard grade 42 and A913 grade 50. However,
designations in contract documents cur- the availability of W-shapes in grades
rent. other than ASTM A572 grade 50 with
This article (Part One) is a summary special requirements per AISC
of the common ASTM specifications Technical Bulletin #3, dated March
used for structural members in building 1997 should be confirmed prior to their
design and construction. Parts Two and specification.
Three will focus on plate and fastening Regardless of the material specifica-
products, respectively. tion chosen, the cross-sectional dimen-
The common structural shapes are sions and production tolerances for W-
either hot-rolled cross sections (such as shapes are given in ASTM A6.
W-shapes, channels and angles), steel
pipe or hollow structural sections. The M-SHAPES
generally applicable ASTM specifica- The usual material specification for
tions for each are given in Table 1. M-shapes is ASTM A36 (Fy = 36 ksi; Fu
Also included is a discussion of the = 58 ksi), although ASTM A572 grade
usual and other applicable ASTM speci- 50 (Fy = 50 ksi; Fu = 65 ksi) is increas-
fications for each type of structural ingly very common.
shape. The usual ASTM specifications M-shapes with higher yield and ten-
are summarized by product in Table 2. sile strength can be obtained by specify-
ing ASTM A572 grade 42, 50, 60 or 65,
W-SHAPES or A529 grade 42 or 50. M-shapes with
The usual material specification for atmospheric corrosion resistance
W-shapes is ASTM A572 grade 50 with (weathering) characteristics can be
special requirements per AISC obtained by specifying ASTM A588
Technical Bulletin #3, dated March grade 50. However, the availability of
1997 (See box on page 50). A572 Grade M-shapes in grades other than ASTM
50 with special requirements is cur- A36 should be confirmed prior to their
rently being phased in while both ASTM specification.
A36 and A572 grade 50 are being Regardless of the material specifica-
phased out (for wide-flange shapes tion chosen, the cross-sectional dimen-
only). This modified ASTM specification, sions and production tolerances for M-
which will eventually bear the simpler shapes are given in ASTM A6.
name ASTM A992, covers only W-
shapes and has specified minimum val- S-SHAPES
ues for Fy and Fu of 50 ksi and 65 ksi, Also known as American Standard
respectively. beams, the usual material specification
W-shapes with higher yield and ten- for S-shapes is ASTM A36 (Fy = 36 ksi;
Notes:
1. ASTM A992 is also known as “ASTM A572 grade 50 with special requirements
per AISC Technical Bulletin #3, dated March 1997” and is only applicable to wide-
flange shapes.
2. ASTM A529 is most commonly used as a specification in the metal building indus-
try, but can be obtained in many smaller shape sizes (tensile groups 1 or 2) for
hot-rolled structural shapes.
3. ASTM A913 is a relatively new product specification that covers hot-rolled struc-
tural shapes produced by the quenching and self-tempering process.
Min. Fy Min. Fu
Structural Shapes Usual ASTM Specification (ksi) (ksi)
Notes:1. “ASTM A572 grade 50 with special requirements per AISC Technical Bulletin #3,
dated March 1997” is also known as ASTM A992.