We offer material test certificates (MTC) for A992 structural steel beams. Each certificate provides complete details of the steel's strength, toughness, and chemical composition, giving our customers confidence in the quality and consistency of the material for any construction or industrial project.

A992 structural steel beams
Details of W21×44 A992 structural steel beams
We need to interpret the designation "W21×44", which is a specification marking for an American standard wide-flange I-beam, following a systematic naming convention.
Letter "W": Stands for "Wide Flange", indicating the wide-flange series of H-beams. This is the primary series of American standard H-beams, characterized by two wide flanges (the parallel top and bottom portions) with parallel inner and outer surfaces, providing excellent bending resistance.
Number "21": Represents the nominal height of the beam in inches. In other words, this beam has a nominal height of approximately 21 inches, with the actual production height being about 20.66 inches.
"×44": Indicates the nominal weight of the beam per foot, in pounds. W21×44 means the beam weighs approximately 44 pounds per foot (≈65.5 kg/m). This weight parameter directly affects steel usage and the self-weight of the structure.
While W21×44 defines the shape and approximate weight of the steel beam, A992 Structural Steel Beams specifies the intrinsic quality of the steel used to manufacture such sections. A992 Structural Steel Beams is currently the primary material standard for rolled wide-flange structural steel, such as W-shape beams.

W21×44 A992 structural steel beams
Before the widespread adoption of the ASTM A992 standard, structural steel was typically manufactured according to standards such as ASTM A36 or ASTM A572 Grade 50.
While A36 steel has relatively low strength, A572 Grade 50 offers higher strength but requires more careful control during processes like welding. The A992 H Beam, introduced around 1998, was designed to provide a more optimised steel suitable for building structures, combining high strength, excellent weldability, and good ductility.
Contact now to get an A992 H Beam Quote
Section Specifications of A992 Structural Steel Beams
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Beam Designation | W21×44 |
| Nominal Height (H) | 21.00 in / 533 mm |
| Flange Width (B) | 8.06 in / 205 mm |
| Web Thickness (t_w) | 0.33 in / 8 mm |
| Flange Thickness (t_f) | 0.50 in / 13 mm |
| Weight per Foot | 44 lb/ft / 65.4 kg/m |
| Section Area | 12.9 in² / 8,320 mm² |
| Moment of Inertia (Ix) | 535 in⁴ / 13,900 cm⁴ |
| Section Modulus (Sx) | 51.0 in³ / 836 cm³ |
| Radius of Gyration (rx) | 6.44 in / 163 mm |
Chemical Composition of Hot-Rolled A992 H Beam
| Element | Max / Range (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.26 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.0 – 1.5 |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40 |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.05 |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.04 |
| Copper (Cu) | 0.20 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 0.40 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 0.40 |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 0.15 |
Contact now to get an A992 H Beam Quote
Mechanical Properties of ASTM A992 Steel Beam
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Minimum Yield Strength (Fy) | 50 ksi (≈345 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength (Fu) | 65–100 ksi (≈448–690 MPa) |
| Elongation (L0=8") | ≥18% |
| Density | 7.85 g/cm³ |
| Elastic Modulus (E) | 29,000 ksi (≈200 GPa) |
| Shear Modulus (G) | ≈11,200 ksi (≈77 GPa) |
| Charpy Impact Temperature | -50 °F (≈-45 °C) |
Application of ASTM A992 Steel Beam in Building Structures
The W21×44 A992 H beam steel is commonly used as a primary load-bearing component in buildings:
Beams: Leveraging its excellent bending resistance, it serves as a main or secondary beam for floors and roofs, spanning significant distances and carrying loads transferred from slabs.
Columns: With strong sectional properties in all directions, it functions as a vertical load-bearing column, resisting both compression and bending.
Composite Members: In high-rise buildings or long-span structures, W21×44 A992 H beam steel is often combined into box columns, lattice columns, and other complex load-bearing systems to provide additional structural strength and stability.

W21×44 A992 H beam steel
Looking for reliable, high-strength W21×44 A992 H beam steel for your project? Contact us today for specifications, quotes, and customised solutions!
Contact now to get an A992 H Beam Quote
Is A992 the same as A36?
ASTM A992 outperforms A36 in structural strength, weld consistency, and seismic resilience-making it ideal for modern construction. Still, A36 remains a solid, cost-effective choice for lighter-duty and non-critical applications. Choose based on structural requirements, budget, and project design.
What is A992 beam?
It is the most common structural steel for wide flange beams, but can cover any hot rolled shape. It is considered a more affordable structural steel given improved strength to weight ratio. Industries. As a structural steel product, A992 steel beams are ideal for general construction.
What is A992 steel equivalent to?
ASTM A992 is currently the most available steel type for structural wide-flange beams. The industry's technical institute describes the standard thus: "ASTM A992 (Fy = 50 ksi, Fu = 65 ksi) is the preferred material specification for wide-flange shapes, having replaced ASTM A36 and A572 grade 50.
Is A992 the same as A572?
In most cases, ASTM A992 steel can be dual-certified to A572 grade 50, exhibiting the high strength and improved weight-to-strength found in A572 carbon steel. Since A992 welds easily, it is often used to fabricate structural steel components where high corrosion resistance is required.
What is the ultimate strength of A992?
Tensile yield strength, 345 MPa (50 ksi); tensile ultimate strength, 450 MPa (65 ksi); strain to rupture (sometimes called elongation) in a 200-mm-long test specimen, 18%; strain to rupture in a 50-mm-long test specimen, 21%. ASTM A992 is currently the most available steel type for structural wide-flange beams.
What is the difference between ASTM A992 and S355?
Both standards have similar carbon limits, ensuring comparable weldability. S355 allows higher manganese content, contributing to its strength properties. ASTM A992 includes optional copper for corrosion resistance-a feature not typically specified in S355 unless ordered with weathering steel requirements.

