QUESTION: (WINTER2014/2015) What is the correct fatigue ‘Detail Category’ for a coped beam detail? S16-14 shows Category E1 whereas W59-13 and S16-09 show Category B ANSWER: Category E1 should apply to re-entrant corners of copes having a minimum radius of 35 mm and ground smooth as stipulated in S16-14. Category B should not be used [...]

QUESTION: (2014) What are the key characteristics of ASTM A1085 HSS as compared to A500 Grade C and CSA G40.20/21 products? ANSWER: In a nutshell, ASTM A1085 HSS are produced to meet requirements comparable to those of CSA G40.20/21 350WT Category 1. The material is required to conform to a minimum average Charpy V-notch impact [...]

QUESTION: (SUMMER2011) What are the major differences between Welded Wide Flange sections and welded I-girders? ANSWER: Limitations for WWF shapes versus welded I-girders WWF shapes are restricted to a maximum depth of 2,000 mm. WWF shapes are standardized sections, whereas plate girder cross-sectional dimensions may vary. WWF shapes are straight members. WWF shapes have a [...]

QUESTION: (SUMMER2016) I am proportioning a mono-symmetric I-girder whose web-slenderness, h/w, marginally satisfies the Class 3 limit for W-shapes in pure bending in accordance with Table 2 of S16-09. Does this limit apply to mono-symmetric sections? ANSWER: No, the limits for I-sections are provided in Table 2 of S16-09 for sections with equal flanges. CSA [...]

QUESTION: (SUMMER2016) For wide-flange sections used for building construction, should I specify CSA G40.21 Grade 350W or ASTM A992? ANSWER: ASTM A992/992M should be specified. It is the grade that North American wide-flange mills produced to and CSA Standard S16-14 (and S16-09) explicitly recognize. Introduced in the 1990s as a product with enhanced properties for [...]

QUESTION: (2015) What are the most common grades for structural steel shapes and sections used in building construction? ANSWER: The main contributing factors are: a) their suitability for the intended applications as recognized by codes and standards, and b) availability. A summary for common structural steel grades used for building construction is shown in the [...]