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DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES 1–119

Table 1-22
ASTM A6 Tolerances for W-Shapes
and HP-Shapes

Permissible Cross-Sectional Variations

C, Max.
A B T + T′ Ea Depth at any
Nominal Depth at Web Centerline, in. Flange Width, in. Flanges Out Cross-Section
of Square, Web Off
Depth, in. over Theoretical
Over Under Over Under Max. in. Center, in. Depth, in.
To 12, incl. 1/ 1/ 1/ 3/ 1/ 3/ 1/
8 8 4 16 4 16 4

Over 12 1/ 1/ 1/ 3/ 5/ 3/ 1/
8 8 4 16 16 16 4

Permissible Variations in Length

Variations from Specified Length for Lengths Given, in.
Nominal Depth b, in. 30 ft and Under Over 30 ft
Over Under Over Under
3/8 plus 1/16 for each additional
Beams 24 in. and under 3 3 3
/8 /8 5 ft or fraction thereof /8
Beams over 24 in. 1/ 1
1 1 2 plus /16 for each additional 5 ft or 1
All columns /2 /2 fraction thereof /2

Mill Straightness Tolerancesc

Permissible Variation in Straightness, in.
Sizes Length
Camber Sweep
Flange width equal to (total length, ft)
All in. ×
1/8
or greater than 6 in. 10
Flange width less
All 1/8 in. × (total length, ft) 1/8 in. × (total length, ft)
than 6 in. 10 5
Certain sections with a (total length, ft)
45 ft and under 1/8 in. × with 3/8 in. max.
flange width approx.
10

[ ]
equal to depth &
specified on order Over 45 ft in. + 1/8 in. × (total length, ft – 45)
3/8
as columnsd 10
Other Permissible Rolling Variations
Area and Weight −2.5 to +3.0% from the theoretical cross-sectional area or the specified nominal weighte
Ends Out of Square 1/64 in., per in. of depth, or of flange width if it is greater than the depth
a Variation of 5/16 in. max. for sections over 426 lb/ft.
b For shapes specified in the order for use as bearing piles, the permitted variations are plus 5 in. and minus 0 in.
c The tolerances herein are taken from ASTM A6 and apply to the straightness of members received from the rolling mill, measured
as illustrated in Figure 1-1.
d Applies only to W8×31and heavier, W10×49 and heavier, W12×65 and heavier, W14×90 and heavier, HP8×36, HP10×57, HP12×74
and heavier, and HP14×102 and heavier. If other sections are specified on the order as columns, the tolerance will be subject to
negotiation with the manufacturer.
e For shapes with a nominal weight ≥ 100 lb/ft, the permitted variation is ±2.5% from the theoretical or specified amount.

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1–120 DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES

W-Shapes S- and M-Shapes

Channels Angles Tees

Fig. 1-1. Positions for measuring straightness.

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DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES 1–121

Table 1-23
ASTM A6 Tolerances for S-Shapes,
M-Shapes and Channels

*Back of square and centerline of web to be parallel when measuring “out-of-square”

Permissible Cross-Sectional Variations
Aa B T + T ′b E
Nominal Depth, in. Flange Width, in. Flanges Out
Shape of Square, Web Off
Depth, in.
Over Under Over Under per in. of B, in. Center, in.
3 to 7, incl. 3/ 1/ 1/ 1/
32 16 8 8

Over 7 to 14,
S shapes and 1/
8
3/
32
5/
32
5/
32 1/ 3/
incl. 32 16
M shapes
Over 14 to 24, 3/ 1/ 3/ 3/
incl. 16 8 16 16

3 to 7, incl. 3/ 1/ 1/ 1/
32 16 8 8

Over 7 to 14,
Channels 1/
8
3/
32
1/
8
5/
32
1/
32 —
incl.
Over 14 3/ 1/ 1/ 3/
16 8 8 16

Permissible Variations in Length

Variations from Specified Length for Lengths Givenc, in.
Shape 5 to 10 ft, 10 to 20 ft, 20 to 30 ft, Over 30 to Over 40 to
excl. excl. incl. 40 ft, incl. 65 ft, incl. Over 65 ft
All 1 11/ 2 13/4 21/ 4 23/4 —
Mill Straightness Tolerancesd
(total length, ft)
Camber 1/8 in. ×
5
Due to the extreme variations in flexibility of these shapes, permitted variations for sweep are
Sweep subject to negotiation between the manufacturer and purchaser for the individual sections
involved.
Other Permissible Rolling Variations
Area and Weight −2.5 to +3.0% from the theoretical cross-sectional area or the specified nominal weighte
Ends Out of Square S-Shapes, M-Shapes and Channels 1/64 in., per in. of depth
— Indicates that there is no requirement.
a A is measured at center line of web for S-shapes and M-shapes and at back of web for channels.
b T + T ′ applies when flanges of channels are toed in or out.
c The permitted variation under the specified length is 0 in. for all lengths. There are no requirements for lengths over 65 ft.
d The tolerances herein are taken from ASTM A6 and apply to the straightness of members received from the rolling mill,
measured as illustrated in Figure 1-1.
e For shapes with a nominal weight ≥ 100 lb/ft, the permitted variation is ±2.5% from the theoretical or specified amount.

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Table 1-24
ASTM A6 Tolerances for WT-,
MT- and ST-Shapes

Permissible Variations in Depth

Dimension A may be approximately one-half beam depth or any dimension resulting from off-center splitting or
splitting on two lines, as specified in the order.
Specified Depth, A, in. Variations in Depth A, Over and Under
To 6, excl. 1/8

6 to 16, excl. 3/16

16 to 20, excl. 1/4

20 to 24, excl. 5/16

24 and over 3/8

The above variations in depths of tees include the permissible variations in depth for the beams before splitting
Mill Straightness Tolerancesa
(total length, ft)
Camber and Sweep 1/8 in. ×
5
Other Permissible Rolling Variations
Other permissible variations in cross section as well as permissible variations in length, area, weight,
ends out-of-square, and sweep for WTs will correspond to those of the beam before splitting.
— Indicates that there is no requirement.
a The tolerances herein are taken from ASTM A6 and apply to the straightness of members received from the rolling mill,
measured as illustrated in Figure 1-1. For tolerance on induced camber and sweep, see AISC Code of Standard Practice
Section 6.4.4.

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DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES 1–123

Table 1-25
ASTM A6 Tolerances for Angles,
3 in. and Larger

Permissible Cross-Sectional Variations

T
B
Nominal Leg Out of Square
Shape Leg Size, in.
Sizea, in. per in. of B, in.
Over Under
3 to 4, incl. 1/8 3/32 3/128b

Angles Over 4 to 6, incl. 1/8 1/8

Over 6 3/16 1/8

Permissible Variations in Length

Variations Over Specified Length for Lengths Givenc, in.
5 to 10 ft, excl. 10 to 20 ft, excl. 20 to 30 ft, incl. Over 30 to 40 ft, incl. Over 40 to 65 ft, incl.
1 11/2 13/4 21/4 23/4
Mill Straightness Tolerancesd
(total length, ft)
Camber 1/8 in. × , applied to either leg
5
Due to the extreme variations in flexibility of these shapes, permitted variations for sweep are subject
Sweep
to negotiation between the manufacturer and purchaser for the individual sections involved.
Other Permissible Rolling Variations
Area and Weight −2.5 to +3.0% from the theoretical cross-sectional area or the specified nominal weight
3/128 in. per in. of leg length, or 11/2°. Variations based
Ends Out of Square
on the longer leg of unequal angle.
a For unequal leg angles, longer leg determines classification.
b 3/128 in. per in. = 11/2°
c The permitted variation under the specified length is 0 in. for all lengths. There are no requirements for lengths over 65 ft.
d The tolerances herein are taken from ASTM A6 and apply to the straightness of members received from the rolling mill, measured
as illustrated in Figure 1-1.

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1–124 DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES

Table 1-26
ASTM A6 Tolerances for Angles,
< 3 in.

Permissible Cross-Sectional Variations

B T
Variations in Thickness for Thicknesses Given,
Specified Leg Leg Size, Out of Square
Over and Under, in.
Sizea, in. Over and Under, per Inch of B,
3/
16 and Under Over 3/16 to 3/8 incl. Over 3/8 in. in.
1 and Under 0.008 0.010 — 1/
32

Over 1 to 2, incl. 0.010 0.010 0.012 3/ 3/ b

64 128

Over 2 to 3, excl. 0.012 0.015 0.015 1/

16

Permissible Variations in Length

Variations Over Specified Length for Lengths Givenc, in.
Section 5 to 10 ft, 10 to 20 ft, 20 to 30 ft, Over 30 to 40 ft, 40 to 65 ft,
excl. excl. incl. incl. incl.
All bar-size angles 5/ 1 11/2 2 21/2
8

Mill Straightness Tolerancesd

(total length, ft)
Camber 1/
4 in. in any 5 ft, or 1/4 in. × , applied to either leg
5
Due to the extreme variations in flexibility of these shapes, permitted variations for sweep are
Sweep
subject to negotiation between the manufacturer and purchaser for the individual sections involved.
Other Permissible Rolling Variations
Ends Out of 3/ in. per in. of leg length, or 11/2°. Variations based on
128
Square the longer leg of unequal angle.
— Indicates that there is no requirement.
a For unequal angles, longer leg determines classification.
b 3/128 in. per in. = 11/2°
c The permitted variation under the specified length is 0 in. for all lengths. There are no requirements for lengths over 65 ft.
d The tolerances herein are taken from ASTM A6 and apply to the straightness of members received from the rolling mill,
measured as illustrated in Figure 1-1.

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DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES 1–125

Table 1-27
Tolerances for Rectangular
and Square HSS

ASTM A500, ASTM A501, ASTM A618 and ASTM A847

The outside dimensions, measured across the flats at positions at least 2 in. from either end, shall not
vary from the specified dimensions by more than the applicable amount given in the following table:
Largest Outside Dimension Permissible Variation Over and
Across Flats, in. Under Specified Dimensionsa,b, in.
Outside Dimensions
21/ 2 and under 0.020
Over 21/ 2 to 31/ 2, incl. 0.025
Over 31/ 2 to 51/ 2, incl. 0.030
Over 51/ 2 1%c
HSS are commonly produced in random lengths, in multiple lengths, and in specific lengths. When specific
lengths are ordered for HSS, the length tolerances shall be in accordance with the following table:
Length tolerance for specific lengths, in.
Length
22 ft and under Over 22 ft f
Over Under Over Under
1/ 2 1/4 3/4 1/4

ASTM A500 and ASTM A847 only: The tolerance for wall thickness exclusive of the weld area shall be
Wall Thickness plus and minus 10% of the nominal wall thickness specified. The wall thickness is to be measured at
the center of the flat.
ASTM A501 only: The weight of HSS, as specified in ASTM A501 Tables 3 and 4, shall not be less than
Weight
the specified value by more than 3.5%.
Mass ASTM A618 only: The mass shall not be less than the specified value by more than 3.5%.
Straightness The permissible variation for straightness shall be 1/8 in. times the number of ft of total length divided by 5.
Squareness of Sides Adjacent sides may deviate from 90° by a tolerance of ± 2° maximum.
Radius of Corners The radius of any outside corner of the section shall not exceed 3 times the specified wall thicknessd.
The tolerances for twist with respect to axial alignment of the section shall be as shown in the
following table:
Specified Dimension of Longer Side, in. Maximum Twist per 3 ft of length, in.
11/ 2 and under 0.050
Over 11/ 2 to 21/ 2, incl. 0.062
Over 21/ 2 to 4, incl. 0.075
Twist Over 4 to 6, incl. 0.087
Over 6 to 8, incl. 0.100
Over 8 0.112
Twist shall be determined by holding one end of the HSS down on a flat surface plate, measuring the
height that each corner on the bottom side of the tubing extends above the surface plate near the
opposite end of the HSS, and calculating the difference in the measured heights of such cornerse.
a The respective outside dimension tolerances include the allowances for convexity and concavity.
b ASTM A500 and ASTM A847 HSS only: The tolerances given are for the large flat dimension only. For HSS having a ratio of outside
large to small flat dimension less than 1.5, the tolerance on the small flat dimesion shall be identical to those given. For HSS
having a ratio of outside large to small flat dimension in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 inclusive, the tolerance on the small flat dimesion
shall be 1.5 times those given. For HSS having a ratio of outside large to small flat dimension greater than 3.0, the tolerance on
the small flat dimension shall be 2.0 times those given.
c This value is 0.01 times the large flat dimension. ASTM A501 only: Over 51/2 to 10 incl., this value is 0.01 times large flat
dimension; over 10, this value is 0.02 times the large flat dimension.
d ASTM A501 HSS only: The radius of any outside corner must not exceed 3 times the calculated nominal wall thickness.
e ASTM A500, ASTM A501, and ASTM A847 HSS only: For heavier sections it shall be permissible to use a suitable measuring
device to determine twist. Twist measurements shall not be taken within 2 in. of the ends of the HSS.
f ASTM A501 and A618: The upper limit on specific length is 44 ft.

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1–126 DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES

Table 1-28
Tolerances for Round HSS
and Pipe

ASTM A53
The weight as specified in ASTM A53 Table X2.2 and Table X2.3 or as calculated from the relevant
equation in ASME B36.10M shall not vary by more than ± 10%. Note that the weight tolerance is
Weight determined from the weights of the customary lifts of pipe as produced for shipment by the mill, divided
by the number of ft of pipe in the lift. On pipe sizes over 4 in. where individual lengths may be weighed,
the weight tolerance is applicable to the individual length.
For pipe 2 in. and over in nominal diameter, the outside diameter shall not vary more than ± 1% from
Diameter
the outside diameter specified.
The minimum wall thickness at any point shall not be more than 12.5% under the nominal wall
Thickness
thickness specified.
ASTM A500 and ASTM A847
For HSS 1.900 in. and under in specified diameter, the outside diameter shall not vary more than
± 0.5%, rounded to the nearest 0.005 in., from the specified diameter.
Diametera
For HSS 2.000 in. and over in specified diameter, the outside diameter shall not vary more than
± 0.75%, rounded to the nearest 0.005 in., from the specified diameter.
The wall thickness at any point, excluding the weld seam of welded tubing, shall not be more than
Thickness
10% under or over the specified wall thickness.
ASTM A501 and ASTM A618
For HSS 11/ 2 in. and under in nominal size, the outside diameter shall not vary more than 1/ 64 in.
over nor more than 1/ 32 in. under the specified diameter.
Outside Dimensions
For round hot-formed HSS 2 in. and over in nominal size, the outside diameter shall not vary more than
± 1% from the specified diameter.
Weight The weight of HSS, as specified in ASTM A501 Table 5, shall not be less than the specified value by
(A501 only) more than 3.5%.
The mass of HSS shall not be less than the specified value by more than 3.5%. The mass tolerance
Mass
shall be determined from individual lengths or, for HSS 41/ 2 in. and under in outside diameter, shall
(A618 only)
be determined from masses of customary lifts produced by the mill.
ASTM A500, ASTM A501, ASTM A618 and ASTM A847
HSS are commonly produced in random mill lengths, in multiple lengths, and in specific lengths. When
specific lengths are ordered for HSS, the length tolerances shall be in accordance with the following table:
Length tolerance for specific cut lengths, in.
Length
22 ft and under Over 22 ft b
Over Under Over Under
1/ 2 1/ 4 3/4 1/ 4

The permissible variation for straightness of HSS shall be 1/ 8 in. times the number of ft of total length
Straightness
divided by 5.
a The outside diameter measurements shall be taken at least 2 in. from the end of the HSS.
b ASTM A501 and A618: The upper limit and specific length is 44 ft.

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DIMENSIONS AND PROPERTIES 1–127

Table 1-29
Rectangular Plates

Permissible Variations from Flatness(Carbon Steel Only)

Variations from Flatness for Specified Widths, in.
Specified
Thickness, To 36, 36 to 48, 48 to 60, 60 to 72, 72 to 84, 84 to 96, 96 to 108, 108 to 120,
in. excl. excl. excl. excl. excl. excl. excl. excl.

To 1/4, excl. 9/16 3/4 15/16 11/4 13/8 11/2 15/8 13/4
1/4 to 3/8, 12 58 34 15 16 11/8 11/4 1 3/8 11/2
excl.
/ / / /
3/8 to 1/ 2, 12 9 16 58 58 34 78 11/8
excl.
/ / / / / / 1
1/ 2to 3/4, 7 16 12 9 16 58 58 34
excl.
/ / / / / / 1 1
3/4 to 1, 7 16 12 9 16 58 58 58 34 78
excl.
/ / / / / / / /
1 to 2, 38 12 12 9 16 9 16 58 58 58
excl.
/ / / / / / / /
2 to 4, 5 16 38 7 16 12 12 12 12 9 16
excl.
/ / / / / / / /
4 to 6, 38 7 16 12 12 9 16 9 16 58 34
excl.
/ / / / / / / /
6 to 8, 7 16 12 12 58 11 16 34 78 78
excl.
/ / / / / / / /
Notes:
1. The longer dimension specified is considered the length, and permissible variations in flatness along the length shall not exceed the
tabular amount for the specified width for plates up to 12 ft in length, or in any 12 ft for longer plates.
2. The flatness variations across the width shall not exceed the tabular amount for the specified width.
3. When the longer dimension is under 36 in., the permissible variation shall not exceed 1/4 in. When the longer dimension is from 36 to 72 in.,
inclusive, the permissible variation should not exceed 75% of the tabular amount for the specified width, but in no case less than 1/4 in.
4. These variations apply to plates which have a specified minimum tensile strength of not more than 60 ksi or comparable chemistry or
hardness. The limits in the table are increased 50% for plates specified to a higher minimum tensile strength or comparable chemistry
or hardness.
5. For plates 8 in. and over in thickness or 120 in. and over in width, see ASTM A6 Table 13.
6. Plates must be in a horizontal position on a flat surface when flatness is measured.
Permissible Variations in Cambera for Carbon Steel Sheared and Gas Cut Rectangular Plates
(total length, ft)
Maximum permissible camber, in. (all thicknesses) = 1/8 in. ×
5
Permissible Variations in in Cambera for High-Strength Low-Alloy and Alloy Steel Sheared,
Special-Cut, or Gas-Cut Rectangular Plates
Specified Dimension, in. Permitted Camber,
in.
Thickness Width
(total length, ft)
To 2, incl. All 1/8 in. ×
5
(total length, ft)
To 30, incl. 3/16 in. ×
5
Over 2 to 15, incl.
(total length, ft)
Over 30 to 60, incl. 1/4 in. ×
5
a Camber as it relates to plates is the horizontal edge curvature in the length, measured over the entire length of the plate in the flat position.

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