Steel and materials
Structural steel types and applications
A reference for aligning properties, standards, and structural use.
- Published
- January 13, 2025
- Updated
- January 13, 2025
- 14 min read
Selecting structural steel means connecting the project standard with loads, fabrication, environment, and availability. A higher grade does not always produce the best solution for a part.
Read the specification
Standards such as ASTM, AISC, and local equivalents describe properties and supply conditions. The project specification determines which one applies.
- Confirm the required grade, shape, and thickness.
- Review impact or temperature requirements.
- Verify compatibility with the governing code.
Compare useful properties
Yield strength, tensile strength, ductility, and weldability influence design and shop work in different ways.
- Assess the strength-to-weight ratio.
- Consider the available welding procedure.
- Review rolling and dimensional tolerances.
Select for the application
Shapes, plates, channels, and angles should serve the part's function and operating environment, not just the initial price.
- Define corrosion exposure and protection.
- Consider fatigue for repeated loads.
- Maintain traceability through erection.