Listed on the following pages are shapes commonly carried in stock. The American Iron and Steel Institute has established a designation system for structural shapes, which has been adopted by steel producers. In the column headed "AISI Designation", a letter or letters precedes the size and weight per foot. For example, C3 X 4.1 is the AISI designation for a 3" x 4.1# Standard Structural Channel.
"W" shapes are doubly-symmetric wide flange shapes used as beams or columns whose inside flange surfaces are substantially parallel. A shape having essentially the same nominal weight and dimensions as a "W" shape listed in the tabulation but whose inside flange surfaces are not parallel may also be considered a "W" shape having the same nomenclature as the tabulated shape, provided its average flange thickness is essentially the same shape as the flange thickness of the "W" shape.
"S" shapes are doubly-symmetric shapes produced in accordance with dimensional standards adopted in 1896 by the Association of American Steel Manufacturers for American Standard beam shapes. The essential part of these standards is that the inside flange surfaces of American Standard beam shapes have approximately a 16 2/3% slope.
"M" shapes are doubly-symmetric shapes that cannot be classified as "W", "S", or bearing pile shapes. (Although not included in the standard nomenclature tabulation, bearing piles are doubly-symmetric wide flange shapes whose inside flange surfaces are essentially parallel and whose flange and web have essentially the same thickness.)
"C" shapes are channels produced in accordance with dimensional standards adopted in 1896 by the Association of American Steel Manufacturers for American Standard channels. The essential part of these standards is that the inside flange surfaces of American Standard channels have approximately a 16 2/3% slope.
"MC" shapes are channels that cannot be classified as "C" shapes.
N/AFor use in riveted, bolted, or welded construction of bridges and buildings, and for general structurals purposes.
Mechanical Properties
N/AASTM A 36 requirements are:
Tensile Strength - 58.000/80.000 psi
Yield Point - 36,000 Min. psi
Elongation in 8" - 20% Min. (Subject to a deduction from trie above percentage of elongation for thicknesses under 5/16" and over 3/4".)
Weldability
N/AThese shapes are easily welded by all the welding processes, and the resultant welds and joints are of extremely high quality. The grade of welding rod to be used depends on thickness of section, design, service requirements, etc.
