ASTM A36 — Yield Strength, Tensile Strength and Applications
The baseline carbon steel. Still the preferred spec for M, S, C, MC and angles, plates and bars. W-shapes moved to A992 in the late 1990s.
Strength
| Grade | Fy (ksi) | Fu (ksi) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| — | 36 | 58–80 | Shapes and plates/bars ≤ 8 in. thick. |
| — (plate > 8 in.) | 32 | 58–80 | Fy drops to 32 ksi for plate over 8 in. thick. |
Fy and Fu are specification minimums. Verify the grade on the Mill Test Report (MTR); dual-certified material is common.
Applicable members
M, S, C, MC, L, MT, ST, plates, bars
Preferred for: L, C, MC, M, S, MT, ST.
Applicable is not the same as stocked. Confirm availability with the supplier.
Common applications
Angles, channels, bracing, connections, embeds, base plates, miscellaneous steel.
Field notes
- Fu is a range (58–80 ksi); design uses Fu = 58 ksi.
- For W-shapes order A992. A36 W is uncommon and not the preferred W-shape spec.
- Dual-certified A36 / A572-50 is common. Confirm Fy on the MTR before crediting 50 ksi.
Material constants
- Modulus of elasticity E: 29,000 ksi
- Shear modulus G: 11,200 ksi
- Density: 490 lb/ft³ (0.284 lb/in³)
- Poisson's ratio: 0.30
- Thermal expansion: 6.5 × 10⁻⁶ in/in/°F
These are the same for every structural steel grade. Strength changes with the specification; stiffness does not.
Related
- ASTM Structural Steel Grades Reference
chemistry, tolerances and the full specification behind this grade
- Steel Shape Properties Table
the sections this grade is supplied in
- Bolt Tensile & Shear Capacity Calculator
fastener grades to match this base metal
- Fillet Weld Strength Calculator
electrode selection to match this base metal
- A36 vs A572 Grade 50 vs A992
side by side, with Fy and Fu
- A36 vs A992
side by side, with Fy and Fu
The full specification
Chemistry, tolerances, coatings, galvanizing, weldability, availability and substitutions for every spec: ASTM 101 (STL+).