ASTM Structural Steel Grades Reference

Tool NotesWhat it covers, the material constants, and how a grade gets chosen

What this tool does

A working reference to the ASTM specifications that cover structural steel: what each one is for, which product forms it applies to, and the specified minimum yield strength (F_y) and specified minimum tensile strength (F_u) for each specification.

The full tool adds chemistry, tolerances, coatings, weldability, availability and substitution guidance for every spec, side by side.

Formula

Not a formula: the material constants. These apply to every structural steel grade in the ASTM 101 reference, whatever the specification says about strength.

E = 29,000 ksimodulus of elasticity, all structural steels
G = 11,200 ksi,  ν = 0.30shear modulus and Poisson's ratio
Density = 490 lb/ft³ = 0.284 lb/in³
α = 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ in/in/°Fthermal expansion

Assumptions

Values are the widely published AISC and engineering reference figures for each specification, summarized in STL's own words. No ASTM standard text is reproduced, and STL is not affiliated with ASTM International.

  • Specified minimums, F_y and F_u are specification minimums. Verify the material actually supplied against the mill test report (MTR).
  • Thickness matters, several specs step F_y down above a plate thickness. Read the grade row that matches the material, not the headline number.
  • Structural only, the dataset covers structural steel members. Reinforcing steel and non-structural products are out of scope.
  • Verify before you build, always check against the current governing ASTM standard; specifications are revised.

How a grade gets chosen

Product form comes first. W-shapes, HSS, pipe, plate, angles, channels and piles can be covered by different ASTM specifications, and a grade applicable to one product form is not automatically applicable to another.

  • Product form first, identify the specifications that apply to the product you are actually buying.
  • Then the requirements, once the applicable specifications are identified, strength, thickness, toughness, weldability, corrosion resistance, project requirements and availability determine the material.

Common applications by product

  • A36, plates, angles, bars, connections, embeds, base plates and miscellaneous structural components.
  • A992, preferred material specification for W-shapes.
  • A572, A913, additional HSLA structural-steel specifications for their applicable products and applications.
  • A588, A242, weathering structural-steel specifications.
  • A847, weathering HSS.
  • A500, A501, A1085, HSS per the applicable product. A53 covers pipe. They are not interchangeable.
  • A709, bridge steel, with the notch-toughness and HPS options that go with it.

Educational reference only. Verify every result independently and apply the safety factors and load combinations required by the governing code and a qualified engineer.

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