The W16x26 is one of the most frequently specified American wide flange beam sections. It belongs to the family of W shapes defined by the American Institute of Steel Construction and produced to ASTM A992/A992M, the standard specification for structural steel shapes used in building frames. The section combines a practical depth with a relatively light mass, which makes it economical for floor beams, columns, and secondary members in steel-framed buildings.
What Does the W16x26 Designation Mean?
The designation follows the logic used for all American W shapes. The letter W indicates a wide flange section, whose flanges are wider than those of a standard I beam of the same depth. The number 16 is the nominal depth of the section in inches, and the number 26 is the nominal mass in pounds per foot. The nominal depth is close to but not identical with the actual section height, because W shapes are designated by round numbers for convenience.
For the W16x26, the actual section height is about 399 mm, which is slightly less than the 16-inch nominal depth. The mass is about 26 pounds per foot, corresponding to roughly 38.8 kg per meter. This type of designation is compact and unambiguous within the AISC system, and it is the standard way that W shapes are ordered and referenced in American practice.
Section Dimensions and Tolerances
The principal dimensions of the W16x26 section are:
Total section height: 399 mm.
Flange width: 140 mm.
Web thickness: 6.4 mm.
Flange thickness: 8.8 mm.
Theoretical mass: 38.8 kg/m.
These values are nominal and are subject to the dimensional tolerances of ASTM A6, the general requirements standard for rolled structural steel bars, plates, shapes, and sheet piling. ASTM A6 controls flange width, web thickness, depth, straightness, sweep, and camber, so the finished sections remain within the tight geometrical limits required for predictable connections and erection. Because the dimensions are controlled in this way, W16x26 members from different mills can be spliced and detailed with confidence.
Material Properties of A992 Steel
The W16x26 is normally supplied in ASTM A992, a high-strength low-alloy structural steel developed specifically for wide flange shapes used in building frames. Its key properties include:
Minimum yield strength: 345 MPa (50 ksi), a value that is constant across the full range of W shape sizes.
Tensile strength: typically in the range of 450 to 585 MPa (65 to 85 ksi).
Carbon content: limited to a maximum of about 0.23 percent, which keeps the material readily weldable.
Good low-temperature toughness when the required supplementary impact testing is specified.
Compared with older grades such as A572 Grade 50, A992 offers a tighter strength range and a lower maximum carbon limit, which reduces the risk of welding cracks and makes the grade well suited to modern fabrication and seismic design practice.
Manufacturing and Fabrication
Wide flange beams are produced by hot rolling. A heated steel bloom is passed through a sequence of rolls that progressively form the web and flanges, and the section is then straightened and cut to length. The rolling process imparts the characteristic wide flange geometry with the flanges and web meeting at right angles, which simplifies bolted and welded connections and improves the efficiency of column and beam splices.
The mill finish can be left as rolled or protected by painting or hot-dip galvanizing, depending on the exposure conditions of the project. Because A992 has a low carbon equivalent, the section is readily welded by standard structural welding processes, and the straight flange-to-web geometry supports modular detailing and building information modeling workflows.
Typical Applications
The W16x26 is a versatile section used across many types of steel construction:
Building structures: main beams and joists in industrial plants, frame columns and floor beams in multi-story buildings, and platform support members.
Bridge structures: diaphragms, cross-frames, and main girders in highway and railway bridges.
Industrial facilities: equipment support brackets, power transmission tower members, and heavy machinery frames.
Mezzanines and racks: secondary framing for storage racks, mezzanine floors, and access platforms.
The wide flange geometry provides good lateral stiffness and reduces the risk of lateral-torsional buckling compared with a narrow I section of the same weight, which is why W shapes dominate modern steel building design.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the 26 in W16x26 mean? The 26 is the nominal mass of the section in pounds per foot, equal to about 38.8 kg per meter.
What is the actual height of a W16x26? The nominal depth is 16 inches, while the actual section height is about 399 mm, as defined in the AISC tables.
What steel grade is W16x26 normally supplied in? In American practice the section is normally supplied to ASTM A992, with a minimum yield strength of 345 MPa and a maximum carbon content of about 0.23 percent.
What is the difference between W16x26 and W16x31? Both have the same nominal depth of 16 inches, but the W16x31 has a heavier mass per foot and larger flange and web dimensions, which gives it higher load-carrying capacity.
Can a W16x26 beam be galvanized? Yes. Hot-dip galvanizing is commonly applied to W shapes for outdoor and corrosive environments, and the open cross-section is easy to clean and drain.
Is A992 steel suitable for seismic design? Yes. A992 combines a tight yield-to-tensile ratio, good ductility, and controlled chemistry, and it is the preferred grade for wide flange shapes in seismic-resistant steel frames.