Standard for Structural Steel Structures
Structural steel is one of the most widely used and important materials in many modern construction projects. Structural steel is strong and durable, and is used to form the skeleton of industrial and commercial buildings, as well as other structures. As such, there must be clear standards for the comparison, design, production, testing, installation and maintenance of steel structures in order to make sure the projects meet the required safety and performance standards.
Fully realizing this, the United States of America, established a set of guidelines and standards for steel structures in accordance with the Construction Committee. This committee is responsible for the construction industry in the US and they are the ones who set the standards.
In accordance with the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE), the ASTM A500, Standard Specification for Cold-Formed Welded and Seamless Carbon Steel Structural Tubing in Rounds and Shapes is the most common standard used for structural steel. It covers the requirements for cold-formed carbon steel construction parts such as columns, pipes, supports, as well as squares and rectangles. The minimum yield strength is set at 36,000 psi.
The minimum tensile strength of the ASTM A500 is set at 58,000 psi. When practising steel fabrication and welding, care must be taken to use only the specified materials and the correct welding procedure, so the final product meets the required level of strength.
ASTM A53, Standard Specification for Pipe, Steel, Black and Hot-Dipped, Zinc-Coated is another important standard for steel structures. It covers the requirements of carbon steel pipes for mechanical applications. The minimum tensile strength for grade A pipe is 25,000 psi and for grade B, it is 30,000 psi.
The third important standard is ASTM A6, Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling. This specification covers the requirements for hot-rolled and cold-formed steel structural shapes, plates, and sheets. It also includes the specifications for rolled steel bars and the standard size designations for engineering and architectural applications.
The ASTM A36, Standard Specification for Carbon Structural Steel and the ASTM A572, Standard Specification for High-Strength Low-Alloy Columbium-Vanadium Structural Steel, are also commonly used specifications for structural steel. ASTM A36 covers carbon steel shapes, plates, and bars and is the most common specification for these types of material. The minimum tensile strength of ASTM A36 is set at 36,000 psi, while the ASTM A572 has a minimum tensile strength of 42,000 psi.
Architects, engineers and contractors must ensure that they use the correct materials and specifications when designing and creating a steel structure, so the built product meets the required safety and performance standards. The usage of structural steel must also be accompanied by the appropriate installation, maintenance and inspection processes to protect it from corrosion, hence extending its useful life. As such, adhering to the strict guidelines set by the Construction Committee is essential, and it is paramount that the standards are closely followed when it comes to designing and constructing a steel structure.
