Introduction
Steel is a major component of most buildings and structures, making it an essential material in the engineering and construction industries. The tensile strength and ductility of steel allow it to be formed into beams, columns and other shapes. Steel generally has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than timber or concrete, making it an ideal choice for many applications. While all types of steel have characteristics that make them suitable for a wide variety of applications, there are specific Canadian codes and standards required for different construction applications, such as bridges, buildings and other structures.
About Canadian Steel
Canadian steel is manufactured as per the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) 450M, which is an industry standard for the specific Quality of Canadian steel. CSA 450M is a classification of steel suitable for use in a range of engineering and construction applications. The CSA 450M classification is designated by an 18-digit code beginning with the letters ‘CSA’, followed by seven numerical digits, followed by a two-letter abbreviation which signifies the type of steel, and ending with a two-letter abbreviation, which signifies the grade of the steel.
Types of Canadian Steel
The following table shows the various types of Canadian steel available, with the two-letter abbreviations used to define them:
[Table]
Common Grades of Canadian Steel
Most common grades of Canadian steel are designated with the following two-letter abbreviations:
• CS A-C category: Grade 36 steel – ‘C36’
• CS B-C category: Grade 50 steel – ‘C50’
• CS A-H category: Grade 70 steel – ‘C70’
• CS B-H category: Grade 80 steel – ‘C80’
• CS X-H category: Grade 100 steel – ‘C100’
Steel grades higher than the ones listed above are available, however, they are used in more specialized applications and are therefore not used as often.
Standard Testing for Canadian Steel
Each grade of Canadian steel undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it meets the necessary standards and specifications. The tests carried out are designed to evaluate the strength, ductility, hardness, impact resistance and other material properties that are important to the completed pieces. Tests include mechanical testing, physical tests and chemical tests, and there are different tests for each type and grade of steel.
Conclusion
Steel is an essential material in the engineering and construction industries, and high-quality steel products are required in order to ensure safe and successful projects. The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) provides specific codes and grades for the various types of steel available in Canada, and each product is tested to ensure it meets required standards. By specifying Canadian steel for a project, engineers and contractors can be confident that their projects will be safe and reliable for years to come.
