Frequently Asked Questions

Structural Steel

For my last project, I had specified CSA G40.21 350W for all W-shapes but the mill test certificate indicated that the steel was made to ASTM A572 grade 50 / A992. Is this acceptable for use Canada? – D.T.
5/1/2004

Good background to this question may be found in Advantage Steel Vol. 12 Fall 1999, “Steel for the 21st Century”.

W-shapes have not been rolled in Canada for the past four years; therefore, all W-shapes now come from foreign mills. ASTM A992 was developed to provide more desirable properties for seismic design applications. It is produced with more restrictive requirements than ASTM A572 grade 50, a steel long regarded as comparable to G40.21 350W. CSA S16-01 now includes A992 under Clause 5.1.3.

 This question appeared in the "Ask Dr. Sylvie" column of Advantage Steel no. 19, Spring 2004.