How to Use This Reference

PRELIMINARY — NOT FOR CONSTRUCTION. Values are minimum specified properties per the named standard at reference thickness (typically t ≤ 40 mm / 1.5 in for shapes, t ≤ 65 mm / 2.5 in for plates). Thicker sections may have reduced strength. Must be independently verified against the governing project specification and certified mill test reports before use in design.

ASTM Structural Steel Grades (United States)

ASTM Grade Product Form Fy (ksi) Fy (MPa) Fu (ksi) Fu (MPa) Fy/Fu Typical Application
A36 Plates, shapes, bars 36 250 58 400 ≤ 0.62 General construction, gusset plates
A572 Gr 42 Plates, shapes, bars 42 290 60 415 ~0.70 Moderate-strength plates
A572 Gr 50 Plates, shapes, bars 50 345 65 450 ~0.77 Primary structural plates
A572 Gr 55 Plates, shapes, bars 55 380 70 483 ~0.79 Bridge plates
A572 Gr 60 Plates, shapes, bars 60 415 75 515 ~0.80 Heavy girder plates
A572 Gr 65 Plates, shapes, bars 65 450 80 550 ~0.81 Heavy structural plates
A992 W-shapes only 50 345 65 450 ≤ 0.85 Beams, columns (seismic)
A588 Plates, shapes 50 345 70 483 ~0.71 Weathering steel
A514 Plates only 100 690 110 760 ~0.91 Heavy plate girders
A500 Gr B HSS 46 315 58 400 ~0.79 Hollow structural sections
A500 Gr C HSS 50 345 62 427 ~0.81 HSS columns, braces
A501 HSS (hot-formed) 36 250 58 400 ≤ 0.62 Hot-formed HSS
A1085 HSS (cold-formed) 50 345 65 450 ~0.77 HSS with tighter tolerances
A53 Gr B Pipe 35 240 60 415 ~0.58 Pipe columns
A529 Gr 50 Plates, bars 50 345 65 450 ~0.77 Building frames
A709 Gr 36 Bridge plates, shapes 36 250 58 400 ≤ 0.62 Bridge construction
A709 Gr 50 Bridge plates, shapes 50 345 65 450 ~0.77 Bridge primary members
A709 Gr 50W Bridge (weathering) 50 345 70 483 ~0.71 Unpainted bridge steel
A913 Gr 50 W-shapes (QST) 50 345 65 450 ≤ 0.85 Heavy columns (QST process)
A913 Gr 65 W-shapes (QST) 65 450 80 550 ~0.81 Heavy columns, high strength

EN 10025 European Structural Steels

EN Grade Subgrade Fy t≤16 (MPa) Fy t≤40 (MPa) Fu (MPa) Fy/Fu t≤40 Nearest ASTM
S235 JR, J0, J2 235 225 360–510 ~0.62 Near A36 (but 235 MPa < 250 MPa)
S275 JR, J0, J2 275 265 410–560 ~0.65 Between A36 and A572 Gr 42
S355 JR, J0, J2, K2 355 345 470–630 ~0.73 A992 / A572 Gr 50 (345 MPa match)
S420 N, NL, M, ML 420 400 520–680 ~0.77 A572 Gr 60
S460 N, NL, Q, QL 460 440 540–720 ~0.81 A572 Gr 65
S690 Q, QL 690 650 770–940 ~0.91 A514

Subgrade key: JR = 27J at 20°C, J0 = 27J at 0°C, J2 = 27J at -20°C, K2 = 40J at -20°C, N(Q) = normalized (quenched and tempered).

EN 10025 designates yield strength as ReH (upper yield) for hot-rolled sections and Rp0.2 (0.2% offset) for grades without a distinct yield point. Tensile strength is Rm rather than Fu. For design, use the nominal fy per EN 1993-1-1 based on the governing thickness range.

AS/NZS 3679.1 Australian Grades

Grade Fy t≤11 (MPa) Fy t≤17 (MPa) Fy t≤40 (MPa) Fu (MPa) Nearest ASTM
250 280 260 250 410 A36 (250 MPa match)
300 320 310 300 430 A572 Gr 42 (slightly below)
350 360 350 340 450 A992/A572 Gr 50
400 390 380 365 490 A572 Gr 55
450 440 430 415 540 Near A572 Gr 65

AS/NZS grades decrease with increasing thickness. Always use the Fy for the applicable thickness bracket. AS 4100:2020 uses capacity factor φ = 0.9 for members and φ = 0.8 for connections.

CSA G40.21 Canadian Grades

Grade Fy (MPa) Fu (MPa) Charpy Nearest ASTM Application
260W 260 410 — Near A36 General structural
300W 300 450 — Near A572 Gr 42 General structural, welded
350W 350 450 — A992/A572 Gr 50 Primary structural
350A 350 480 — A992 (atmospheric corrosion) Weathering equivalent
400W 400 490 — A572 Gr 55–60 Heavy structural
480W 480 600 — A572 Gr 65 Heavy plates
350WT 350 480 20J at -45°C — Arctic/cold climate

Canadian grades use "W" for weldable, "A" for atmospheric corrosion resistant, "T" for notch-tough (CVN tested). 350WT is the standard for cold-climate applications where CVN toughness is critical.

JIS (Japan) and Other International Grades

Standard Grade Fy (MPa) Fu (MPa) Nearest ASTM Notes
JIS G3101 SS400 245 400–510 A36 General structural
JIS G3101 SS490 285 490–610 A572 Gr 42
JIS G3106 SM490 325 490–610 A572 Gr 50 Welded structures
JIS G3106 SM520 365 520–640 A572 Gr 55
JIS G3106 SM570 460 570–720 A572 Gr 65
GB/T 700 Q235B 235 375–500 Near A36 China general
GB/T 1591 Q345B 345 470–630 A572 Gr 50/A992 China HSLA
GB/T 1591 Q420 420 520–680 A572 Gr 60
IS 2062 E250 250 410 A36 India general
IS 2062 E350 350 490 A572 Gr 50 India HSLA

Metric/Imperial Quick Conversions

MPa ksi Remember As
250 36.3 A36 Fy
275 39.9 S275
345 50.0 A992/A572 Gr 50 Fy
355 51.5 S355
400 58.0 A36 Fu
410 59.5 Grade 250 Fu
415 60.2 A572 Gr 42 Fu
420 60.9 S420
450 65.3 A992/A572 Gr 50 Fu
460 66.7 S460
483 70.0 E70XX electrode / A588 Fu
517 75.0 E80XX electrode / A572 Gr 60 Fu
552 80.0 A572 Gr 65 Fu
586 85.0 E90XX electrode
689 100.0 A514 Fy
760 110.0 A514 Fu

Conversion formulas:

For quick mental math: 100 MPa ≈ 14.5 ksi, 50 ksi ≈ 345 MPa.

Design Usage by Limit State

Limit State Use Fy or Fu? Governing Strength AISC φ AS 4100 φ EN 1993 γM
Tensile yielding (gross) Fy Fy × Ag 0.90 0.90 γM0 = 1.00
Tensile rupture (net) Fu Fu × Ae 0.75 0.90 × 0.85 = 0.765 γM2 = 1.25
Compression (buckling) Fy Fcr × Ag (Fcr = f(Fy)) 0.90 0.90 γM1 = 1.00
Flexure (yielding) Fy Fy × Zx 0.90 0.90 γM0 = 1.00
Flexure (LTB) Fy Mn = f(Fy, Lb, Cb) 0.90 0.90 γM1 = 1.00
Shear (yielding) Fy 0.60 × Fy × Aw 0.90 0.90 γM0 = 1.00
Bolt bearing (deformation) Fu 2.4 × d × t × Fu 0.75 0.80 γM2 = 1.25
Block shear rupture Fu + Fy 0.6Fu × Anv + Fy × Ant (varies by code) 0.75 0.75 γM2 = 1.25
Weld metal (fillet) FEXX 0.60 × FEXX × Aw 0.75 0.80 γM2 = 1.25
Base metal (weld shear) Fy 0.60 × Fy × t × L 0.90 0.90 γM0 = 1.00

References