Structural Steel

Structural Steel - S235, S275, S355
Chemical Composition, Mechanical

Properties and Common Applications
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Topics Covered
Introduction
Chemical Composition of Structural Steels - S235, S275 and S355
Mechanical Properties of Structural Steel - S235, S275 and S355
Typical Structural Steel ‘Sections’ / Cross-sectional Shapes
Applications of Structural Steel
Introduction
Structural steel is a standard construction material, made from specific grades of
steel and formed in a range of industry standard cross-sectional shapes (or
‘Sections’). Structural steel grades are designed with specific chemical
compositions and mechanical properties formulated for particular applications.
In Europe, Structural Steel must comply with the European Standard EN 10025 a
Governed by the ECISS (European Committee for Iron and Steel Standardization)
a subset of CEN (European Committee for Standardization.
There are many examples of European grades of structural steel such as; S195,
S235, S275, S355, S420, S460 etc. However, for the purposes of this article we
will focus on the Chemical Composition, Mechanical Properties and Applications of
S235, S275, S355. Three common structural steel grades used in all manner of
Construction projects across the EU.
Inline with the European Standard classifications, Structural steels must be

referenced using standard symbols including but not limited to:
"S"235"J2’‘K2’’C’’Z’’W’’JR’’JO’’
Where:
 S – denotes the fact that it is Structural Steel

 235 – related to the minimum yield strength of the steel (tested at a
thickness of 16mm)
 J2 / K2 / JR / JO – material toughness in relation to the Charpy impact or
‘V’notch test methodology
 W – Weathering Steel (Atmospheric Corrosion Resistant)
 Z – Structural steel with improved strength perpendicular to the surface
 C – Cold-formed
Depending on the manufacturing process, chemical composition and relevant

application, further letters and classifications might be used to reference particular
grades/products of structural steel. The EU Standard classifications are inherently
not a global standard and therefore a number of corresponding grades with the
same Chemical and Mechanical properties may be used in other parts of the world.
For example, Structural Steels fabricated for the US market must be specified in
accordance with the ASTM (American Society for Testing and
Materials) International guidelines and will be referenced with an ‘A’ and then the
relevant Grade such as A36, A53 etc.
US Equivalent Grades
EU US
S235 A283C
S275 A570Gr40
S355 A572Gr50
In most countries Structural Steel is regulated and must meet a minimum specific
criterion for Shape, Size, Chemical Composition, strength etc.
Chemical Composition of Structural Steels - S235, S275
and S355
The Chemical composition of Structural Steel is extremely important and highly
regulated. It is a fundamental factor which defines the Mechanical properties of the
steel material. In the following table you can see the Max % levels of certain
regulated elements present in European Structural steel grades S235, S275 and
S355.
Grade C% Mn% P% S% Si%
S235 0.22 max 1.60 max 0.05 max 0.05 max 0.05 max
The chemical composition of Structural Steel is incredibly important to the engineer

and will change with specific Grades depending on their intended use. For
Example; S355K2W is a Structural Steel that has been hardened (K2) and has
been designed with a chemical composition to withstand increased weathering
(W). Therefore, this grade of Structural Steel will have a slightly different chemical
composition to the standard S355 grade.
Mechanical Properties of Structural Steel - S235, S275,

S355
The Mechanical Properties of Structural Steel are fundamental to its classification
and hence, application. Even though Chemical Composition is a dominant Factor
of the Mechanical Properties of steel, it is also very important to understand the
minimum standards for the Mechanical Properties (Performance characteristics)
such as; Yield Strength and Tensile Strength.
Yield Strength
The yield strength of structural steel measures the minimum force required to
create a permanent deformation in the steel. The naming convention used in
European Standard EN10025 refers to the Minimum Yield strength of the steel
grade tested at 16mm thick.
Structural Steel Grade at Minimum Yield Strength at nominal thickness 16mm

16mm
ksi N/mm2 (MPa)
S235 33 000 ksi 235 N/mm2
S275 36 000 ksi 275 N/mm2
S355 50 000 ksi 355 N/mm2
Tensile Strength
The Tensile Strength of Structural steel relates to the point at which permanent
deformation occurs when the material is pulled or stretched laterally along its
length.
Structural Steel Grade Tensile Strength MPa at Nom thickness between 3mm and
16mm
S235 360 – 510 MPa
S275 370 – 530 MPa
S355 470 – 630 MPa

Typical Structural Steel ‘Sections’ / Cross-Sectional Shapes
Structural Steel comes in many Grades but is normally sold pre-formed with a
defined cross-sectional shape, designed for specific applications. For example, it is
common to find Structural Steel sold in: I-Beams, Z-beams, Box Lintels, HSS
(Hollow Structural Section), L shaped, Steel Plate etc.
Depending on the desired application, an engineer will specify a grade of steel

(Often to meet minimum strength, max weight and or weathering requirements)
and the sectional shape, relative to the desired location and expected load to be
carried or job to be performed.
Applications of Structural Steel

Structural steels are used in many ways and their application can be diverse. They
are particularly useful because they offer the unique combination of good welding
properties with guaranteed strengths. Structural Steel is an extremely adaptable
product and is often favoured by the engineer trying to maximize strength or s
structure while minimising its weight.
It will come as no surprise that the construction industry is the biggest consumer of
Structural Steel, where it is used for all manner of purposes and employed at
diverse scales. Whether a small box lintel is used to carry the load of a structural
wall in a residential property or a vast I-beam is bolted in place to hold the road
surface on a bridge, structural steel can be specified, designed and fabricated for
the job.
 High Rise Buildings / Skyscrapers

 Houses
 Factories
 Offices
 Shopping Malls
 Train Tracks
 Road barriers
 Bridges

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Structural Steel - S235, S275, S355

Chemical Composition, Mechanical

Inline with the European Standard classifications, Structural steels must be

 S – denotes the fact that it is Structural Steel

Depending on the manufacturing process, chemical composition and relevant

Grade C% Mn% P% S% Si%

The chemical composition of Structural Steel is incredibly important to the engineer

Mechanical Properties of Structural Steel - S235, S275,

Structural Steel Grade at Minimum Yield Strength at nominal thickness 16mm

S235 33 000 ksi 235 N/mm2

S275 36 000 ksi 275 N/mm2

S355 50 000 ksi 355 N/mm2

S235 360 – 510 MPa

S275 370 – 530 MPa

S355 470 – 630 MPa

Depending on the desired application, an engineer will specify a grade of steel

Applications of Structural Steel

 High Rise Buildings / Skyscrapers

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