Steel Shapes and Sections
All open hot-rolled shapes approved by the AISC specification fall under the ASTM A6 standard. New shapes are added or eliminated as the standard is updated every few years. That is why it’s important to use the 13th edition Steel Construction Manual, which lists shapes found in the latest ASTM A6-05 standard. If you’re still using the old green book (9th edition AISC manual), you are likely to encounter shapes that no longer exist.
The latest version of ASTM A6 has added many heavier hot-rolled shapes. Visit www.aisc.org/availability for the latest open shape and hollow structural section (HSS) availability, which also includes pipe. Contact information for shape mills and steel service centers, including the various states that they serve, is conveniently listed.
In terms of wide-flange shapes, ASTM A992 is the preferred material standard. Although ASTM A992 also addresses M, S, C, MC, and L shapes, that is not an indication of availability. In fact, we found only three shape mills offering channels and angles in ASTM A992. As such, use caution in specifying ASTM A992 for non-W-shapes unless availability is confirmed ahead of time.
If your interest lies in tubular sections, it is important to remember that there are four ASTM standards for HSS (ASTM A500, A501, A618, and A847). Of those four standards, only ASTM A500 material is produced. Although the other standards exist, mills are not producing HSS to ASTM A501, A618, and A847.
Most rounds are ASTM A53 Grade B pipe or round ASTM A500 HSS that have not been pressure tested. You may receive round ASTM A500 instead of ASTM A53 Grade B for two reasons: ASTM A500 has a greater yield strength than ASTM A53 Grade B, and it is manufactured to the same dimensions as ASTM A53 pipe. It is interesting to note that HSS producers produce pipe-like cross sections in ASTM A500, but due to the overlap in the two standards, such round tubular sections are offered as ASTM A53 Grade B without pressure testing. They are essentially ASTM A500 products that have been downgraded and sold as ASTM A53 Grade B pipe!
ASTM A500 is either an electric-resistance-welded (ERW) or seamless, cold-rolled material with a maximum perimeter of 64 in. If larger perimeters are required, the designer should investigate submerged-arc-welded (SAW) HSS or even very large API pipe. Note that SAW HSS does not fall under any ASTM Standard; hence, it is not referenced in Section A3 of the 2005 AISC specification as an approved material.
Standard Steel Shapes and Sections
| Shape/Section | Preferred ASTM Material Standard | Other Applicable ASTM Material Standards |
| W | A992 | A242 Grade 42c, 46b, 50a A529 Grade 50a, 55c A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60c, 65c A588 Grade 50 A913 Grade 50, 60, 65, 70 |
| HP | A572 Grade 50 | A36 Grade 36 A242 Grade 46b, 50a A529 Grade 50a, 55c A572 Grade 42, 55, 60c, 65c A588 Grade 50 A913 Grade 50, 60, 65, 70 A992 |
| M, S, C, MC | A36 | A242 Grade 50a A529 Grade 50a, 55c A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60c, 65c A588 Grade 50 A913 Grade 50, 60, 65, 70 A992 – confirmation required |
| L | A36 | A242 Grade 46b, 50a A529 Grade 50a, 55c A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60c, 65c A588 Grade 50 A913 Grade 50, 60, 65, 70 A992 – confirmation required |
| HSS | A500 Grade B | A500 Grade C A501 Grade 36 A618 Grade I, II and III A847 Grade 50 |
| Pipe | A53 Grade 53 | N A |
| Material Type | Applicable ASTM Standard(s) |
| Carbon | A36, A53, A500, A501, A529 |
| High-Strength, Low-Alloy | A572, A618, A913, A992 |
| Corrosion-Resistant, High-Strength, Low-Alloy | A242, A588, 847 |
a For shapes with a flange thickness less than or equal to 1 1/2-in.
b For shapes with a flange thickness greater than 1 1/2-in. but less than or equal to 2 in.
c For shapes with a flange thickness greater than 2 in.
Structural Plates and Bars
As was the case for hot-rolled shapes, plates and bars are also included in the ASTM A6 Standard. However, unlike the shape listings found in ASTM A6 that establish dimensions, such listings do not exist for plates and bars. As such, to determine which dimensions are rolled, it is best to contact the plate mills or a steel service center. Many service centers will cut stocked plates and bars to the customer’s dimensional requirements, as well as provide additional services.
ASTM A36 is the preferred material standard for plates and bars. Note that ASTM A572 grade 50 is quite common for gusset plates, built-up shapes, and other details with plates thicker than 3/4-in. Check with a fabricator for guidance. There has not been as much change over the years in terms of material selection for plates and bars, as has been the case with hot-rolled shapes. An important fact about plate and bar is that as thickness increases, the number of applicable ASTM standards and grades decreases. Also, material over 8 in. thick is only available in ASTM A36, but with a minimum specified yield strength of 32 ksi.
Structural Plates and Bars
| Thickness | Preferred ASTM Material Standard | Other Applicable ASTM Material Standards |
| to 0.75 in. | A36d | A242 Grade 50 A514 Grade 100 A529 Grade 50, 55 A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60, 65 A588 Grade 50 A852b Grade 70 |
| greater than 0.75 in. up to 1.25 in. | A36d | A242 Grade 46 A514 Grade 100 A529 Grade 50a, 55a A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60, 65 A588 Grade 50 A852b Grade 70 |
| greater than 1.25 in. up to 1.5 in. | A36d | A242 Grade 46 A514 Grade 100 A529 Grade 50a, 55a A572 Grade 42, 50, 55 A588 Grade 50 A852b Grade 70 |
| greater than 1.5 in. up to 2 in. | A36d | A242 Grade 42 A514 Grade 100 A529 Grade 50a A572 Grade 42, 50, 55 A588 Grade 50 A852b Grade 70 |
| greater than 2 in. up to 2.5 in. | A36d | A242 Grade 42 A514 Grade 100 A529 Grade 50a A572 Grade 42, 50 A588 Grade 50 A852b Grade 70 |
| greater than 2.5 in. up to 4 in. | A36d | A242 Grade 42 A514 Grade 90 A572 Grade 42, 50 A588 Grade 50 A852b Grade 70 |
| greater than 4 in. up to 5 in. | A36 | A514 Grade 90 A572 Grade 42 A588 Grade 46 |
| greater than 5 in. up to 6 in. | A36 | A514 Grade 90 A572 Grade 42 A588 Grade 42 |
| greater than 6 in. up to 8 in. | A36 | A588 Grade 42 |
| greater than 8 in. | A36c | N A |
| Material Type | Applicable ASTM Standard(s) |
| Mild Carbon | A36, A53, A500, A501, A529 |
| High-Strength, Low-Alloy | A572 |
| Corrosion-Resistant, High-Strength, Low-Alloy | A242, A588 |
| Quenched and Tempered Alloy | A514 |
| Quenched and Tempered, Low-Alloy | A852 |
a Applicable to bars greater than 1 in. thick.
b Available only as plate.
c Produced to a minimum specified yield strength of 32 ksi.
d ASTM A572 grade 50 is common for gusset plates, built-up shapes, and other details with plates thicker than 3/4 in.
Fasteners
There is currently a myriad of structural fasteners available, each developed for specific applications. For structural applications where only snug-tightened bolted joints are required, low-strength ASTM A307 bolts are permitted, but typically considered only for secondary members or low-load applications. High-strength bolts such as ASTM A325 and A490 are the more common choice.
There are four pretensioning methods of bolt installation sanctioned by the RCSC specification (available at www.boltcouncil.org): turn-of-the-nut, calibrated wrench, twist-off-type tension-control bolt, and direct-tension-indicator. For pretensioned and slip-critical bolted joints, one will need to consider ASTM A325 and A490 high strength bolts, or alternatively, F1852 and F2280 tension-control bolt assemblies.
If ASTM A325 or A490 high-strength bolts are used in pretensioned and slip-critical joints, one can choose turn-of-the-nut or calibrated wrench, or decide to use ASTM F959 direct-tension-indicator washers to determine that the minimum level of installation pretension has been provided. In all cases, the pre-installation verification requirements of the RCSC specification must be followed. The newest addition to the structural bolting family is ASTM F2280, which is a tension-control bolt with a material strength equivalent to an ASTM A490 high-strength bolt.
One should never confuse structural bolts with anchor rods, or improperly use one when the other is required. AISC changed the term “anchor bolt” to “anchor rod” about 17 years ago to highlight the differences between bolts used in steel-to-steel connections and those used in anchoring steel-to-concrete. The design and installation parameters are quite different for each. Structural bolt lengths are usually available in lengths of 8 in. or less, which is typically insufficient for proper embedment development length as an anchor rod.
When thinking about column anchorage, one should remember that ASTM F1554 Grade 36 is the preferred material specification for anchor rods. It contains the same chemical and structural properties as ASTM A36 rod, but includes two important aspects: color coding and inclusion in the ASTM F1554 anchor rod standard. ASTM F1554 is an “umbrella” anchor rod standard, as it establishes the process, threading, coatings, dimensions, and tolerances for anchor rods. No other ASTM Standard for rod material establishes these important requirements. ASTM F1554 includes a Grade 55, which can be ordered to Supplementary Requirement S1, which ensures weldability. There is also a Grade 105 for high-strength applications, which is a heat-treated material; hence, it cannot be ordered to Supplementary Requirement S1 to ensure weldability.
It should be noted that threaded rods are typically used for tension-only bracing or when tension hangers are required. Such threaded rods may also be used as anchor rod, although are not very common. Per ASTM F1554, A563 heavy-hex or hex nuts are typically used with anchor rods, depending on the anchor rod nominal diameter and whether zinc coating has been applied. Heavy-hex ASTM A563 nuts are used with structural steel bolts, such as ASTM A325 and A490, as outlined in the RCSC specification.
Structural Fasteners
| Fastener Type | Preferred ASTM Material Standard | Other Applicable ASTM Material Standards |
| High-Strength, Conventional Boltsc | A325 A490 | A449a |
| High-Strength, Twist-Off-Type Tension-Control Bolts | F1852 F2280b | N A |
| Common Bolts | A307 Grade B | N A |
| Nuts | A563 | A194 Grade 2H |
| Washers | F436d | N A |
| Direct-Tension-Indicator Washers | F959e | N A |
| Threaded Rods | A36 | A193 Grade B7 A307 Grade C A354 Grade BD A449 A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60, 65 |
| Shear Stud Connectors | A108 | N A |
| Anchor Rods | F1554 Grade 36 | A36 A193 Grade B7 A307 Grade C A354 Grade BD A449 A572 Grade 42, 50, 55, 60, 65 A588 A687 F1554 Grade 55, 105 |
a Refer to 2005 AISC specification for limitations on use.
b Adoption into AISC specification is pending.
c SAE bolts are not approved by AISC specification.
d Special washer requirements may apply per RCSC specification.
e Washers that express colored dyes when compressed are not covered by ASTM F959.
See cad-corner.com for: Free AutoCAD blocks of fasteners
See cad-corner.com for: Free AutoCAD blocks of structural steel
See cad-corner.com for: Free AutoCAD blocks for steel shapes
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