ASTM A500 Gr C — Yield Strength, Tensile Strength and Applications
ASTM A500 Grade C: Fy 46 ksi round / 50 ksi shaped, Fu 62 ksi. The standard Hollow Structural Section (HSS) spec: round, square and rectangular. Grade C is American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) preferred. AISC design wall is 0.93 × nominal. Cold-formed, so corners are work-hardened.
Strength
| Grade | Fy (ksi) | Fu (ksi) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| C (round) | 46 | 62 | AISC preferred. |
| C (shaped) | 50 | 62 | Square/rectangular. AISC preferred. |
Fy and Fu are specification minimums. Verify the grade on the Mill Test Report (MTR); dual-certified material is common.
Applicable members
HSS Round, HSS Square, HSS Rectangular
Preferred for: HSS round, square and rectangular.
Applicable is not the same as stocked. Confirm availability with the supplier.
Common applications
Columns, braces, truss members, railings, architecturally exposed HSS, posts.
Field notes
- AISC 360 B4.2 design rule: design wall = 0.93 × nominal (AISC tables already reflect this).
- Grade C is the default: Fy 50 ksi shaped, 46 ksi round. Confirm the mill supplies C, not B.
- Keep welds and Complete-Joint-Penetration (CJP) details off the work-hardened corner radii.
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
- A500 Grade B vs Grade C
side by side, with Fy and Fu
The full specification
Chemistry, tolerances, coatings, galvanizing, weldability, availability and substitutions for every spec: ASTM 101 (STL+).