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NEW MEXICO (NM) GS-24 STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS
New Mexico (NM) GS-24 Structural Steel Erection Exam
SECTION 1: STEEL MATERIALS & SPECIFICATIONS (Questions 1–50)
1. Which ASTM specification is most commonly used for W-shapes (wide-flange
beams) in modern building construction?
A) ASTM A36
B) ASTM A572
C) ASTM A992
Answer: C
ASTM A992 is the preferred material for W-shapes as it offers a 50 ksi minimum yield
strength and a maximum yield-to-tensile ratio, ensuring good ductility and weldability
for seismic applications. A992 has replaced A36 for most wide-flange applications due
to its superior strength-to-weight ratio .
2. What is the minimum specified yield strength of ASTM A992 structural steel?
A) 36 ksi
B) 50 ksi
C) 65 ksi
Answer: B
ASTM A992 has a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi (345 MPa). This grade is the standard
for W-shapes in modern construction .
3. What is the primary difference between ASTM A36 and ASTM A992 structural
steel?
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A) A36 has higher yield strength than A992
B) A992 has higher yield strength and improved ductility compared to A36
C) A36 is used only for plates while A992 is used only for bolts
Answer: B
ASTM A992 provides 50 ksi minimum yield strength with excellent ductility and
weldability, making it superior to A36 (36 ksi yield) for wide-flange applications .
4. Which ASTM specification covers high-strength low-alloy structural steel
commonly used for bridge construction?
A) ASTM A36
B) ASTM A572
C) ASTM A992
Answer: B
ASTM A572 covers high-strength low-alloy columbium-vanadium structural steel,
commonly used for bridges and structures requiring higher strength than A36 .
5. What is the typical yield strength of ASTM A572 Grade 50 steel?
A) 36 ksi
B) 42 ksi
C) 50 ksi
Answer: C
ASTM A572 Grade 50 has a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi, making it suitable for high-
strength structural applications .
6. What is the primary purpose of mill test reports (MTRs) in structural steel
erection?
A) To document the cost of steel materials
B) To verify that steel meets specified ASTM requirements and chemical composition
C) To provide erection instructions
Answer: B
Mill test reports provide documentation of a material's chemical composition,
mechanical properties, and compliance with specified ASTM standards, ensuring the
steel meets design requirements .
,3|Page
7. What does the term "tensile strength" refer to in structural steel?
A) The stress at which steel begins to deform plastically
B) The maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched before breaking
C) The ability of steel to resist corrosion
Answer: B
Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched
or pulled before breaking. It is a key property for structural design .
8. What does "yield strength" indicate in structural steel?
A) The stress level at which steel begins to deform plastically
B) The maximum stress before fracture
C) The weight of the steel per unit volume
Answer: A
Yield strength is the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. It is a critical
design parameter for structural steel .
9. What does "ductility" refer to in structural steel?
A) The ability of steel to resist corrosion
B) The ability of steel to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture
C) The weight of steel per unit length
Answer: B
Ductility is the ability of a material to undergo significant plastic deformation before
rupture. It is essential for seismic design and structural safety .
10. What is the primary method of corrosion protection for structural steel?
A) Painting only
B) Galvanizing and protective coatings
C) Using stainless steel exclusively
Answer: B
Corrosion protection for structural steel typically involves galvanizing (zinc coating)
and/or protective coatings such as paint or epoxy .
, 4|Page
11. What does the term "W-shape" refer to in structural steel?
A) A wide-flange beam with parallel inner and outer flange surfaces
B) A standard I-beam with tapered flanges
C) A hollow structural section
Answer: A
W-shapes (wide-flange shapes) have parallel inner and outer flange surfaces, offering
efficient structural properties for bending and axial loads .
12. On an erection drawing, what does the designation W16×36 identify?
A) A wide-flange beam approximately 16 inches deep that weighs 36 pounds per linear
foot
B) A 16-foot long beam that weighs 36 pounds total
C) A plate 16 inches wide by 36 inches long
Answer: A
W-shape designations indicate nominal depth in inches and nominal weight in pounds
per linear foot. A W16×36 is approximately 16 inches deep and weighs 36 lb/ft .
13. What is the standard trade weight of a 1-inch thick carbon-steel plate per
square foot?
A) 490 lb/sq ft
B) 40.8 lb/sq ft
C) 20.4 lb/sq ft
Answer: B
Structural carbon steel weighs about 490 lb/cu ft, which equals 40.8 lb/sq ft for each
inch of thickness. Erectors use 40.8t, where t is thickness in inches, to estimate plate
weights .
14. A W16×36 beam is 40 feet long. What is its theoretical piece weight before
fittings?
A) 640 lb
B) 1,600 lb
C) 1,440 lb
NEW MEXICO (NM) GS-24 STRUCTURAL STEEL ERECTION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED ANSWERS
New Mexico (NM) GS-24 Structural Steel Erection Exam
SECTION 1: STEEL MATERIALS & SPECIFICATIONS (Questions 1–50)
1. Which ASTM specification is most commonly used for W-shapes (wide-flange
beams) in modern building construction?
A) ASTM A36
B) ASTM A572
C) ASTM A992
Answer: C
ASTM A992 is the preferred material for W-shapes as it offers a 50 ksi minimum yield
strength and a maximum yield-to-tensile ratio, ensuring good ductility and weldability
for seismic applications. A992 has replaced A36 for most wide-flange applications due
to its superior strength-to-weight ratio .
2. What is the minimum specified yield strength of ASTM A992 structural steel?
A) 36 ksi
B) 50 ksi
C) 65 ksi
Answer: B
ASTM A992 has a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi (345 MPa). This grade is the standard
for W-shapes in modern construction .
3. What is the primary difference between ASTM A36 and ASTM A992 structural
steel?
,2|Page
A) A36 has higher yield strength than A992
B) A992 has higher yield strength and improved ductility compared to A36
C) A36 is used only for plates while A992 is used only for bolts
Answer: B
ASTM A992 provides 50 ksi minimum yield strength with excellent ductility and
weldability, making it superior to A36 (36 ksi yield) for wide-flange applications .
4. Which ASTM specification covers high-strength low-alloy structural steel
commonly used for bridge construction?
A) ASTM A36
B) ASTM A572
C) ASTM A992
Answer: B
ASTM A572 covers high-strength low-alloy columbium-vanadium structural steel,
commonly used for bridges and structures requiring higher strength than A36 .
5. What is the typical yield strength of ASTM A572 Grade 50 steel?
A) 36 ksi
B) 42 ksi
C) 50 ksi
Answer: C
ASTM A572 Grade 50 has a minimum yield strength of 50 ksi, making it suitable for high-
strength structural applications .
6. What is the primary purpose of mill test reports (MTRs) in structural steel
erection?
A) To document the cost of steel materials
B) To verify that steel meets specified ASTM requirements and chemical composition
C) To provide erection instructions
Answer: B
Mill test reports provide documentation of a material's chemical composition,
mechanical properties, and compliance with specified ASTM standards, ensuring the
steel meets design requirements .
,3|Page
7. What does the term "tensile strength" refer to in structural steel?
A) The stress at which steel begins to deform plastically
B) The maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched before breaking
C) The ability of steel to resist corrosion
Answer: B
Tensile strength is the maximum stress a material can withstand while being stretched
or pulled before breaking. It is a key property for structural design .
8. What does "yield strength" indicate in structural steel?
A) The stress level at which steel begins to deform plastically
B) The maximum stress before fracture
C) The weight of the steel per unit volume
Answer: A
Yield strength is the stress at which a material begins to deform plastically. It is a critical
design parameter for structural steel .
9. What does "ductility" refer to in structural steel?
A) The ability of steel to resist corrosion
B) The ability of steel to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture
C) The weight of steel per unit length
Answer: B
Ductility is the ability of a material to undergo significant plastic deformation before
rupture. It is essential for seismic design and structural safety .
10. What is the primary method of corrosion protection for structural steel?
A) Painting only
B) Galvanizing and protective coatings
C) Using stainless steel exclusively
Answer: B
Corrosion protection for structural steel typically involves galvanizing (zinc coating)
and/or protective coatings such as paint or epoxy .
, 4|Page
11. What does the term "W-shape" refer to in structural steel?
A) A wide-flange beam with parallel inner and outer flange surfaces
B) A standard I-beam with tapered flanges
C) A hollow structural section
Answer: A
W-shapes (wide-flange shapes) have parallel inner and outer flange surfaces, offering
efficient structural properties for bending and axial loads .
12. On an erection drawing, what does the designation W16×36 identify?
A) A wide-flange beam approximately 16 inches deep that weighs 36 pounds per linear
foot
B) A 16-foot long beam that weighs 36 pounds total
C) A plate 16 inches wide by 36 inches long
Answer: A
W-shape designations indicate nominal depth in inches and nominal weight in pounds
per linear foot. A W16×36 is approximately 16 inches deep and weighs 36 lb/ft .
13. What is the standard trade weight of a 1-inch thick carbon-steel plate per
square foot?
A) 490 lb/sq ft
B) 40.8 lb/sq ft
C) 20.4 lb/sq ft
Answer: B
Structural carbon steel weighs about 490 lb/cu ft, which equals 40.8 lb/sq ft for each
inch of thickness. Erectors use 40.8t, where t is thickness in inches, to estimate plate
weights .
14. A W16×36 beam is 40 feet long. What is its theoretical piece weight before
fittings?
A) 640 lb
B) 1,600 lb
C) 1,440 lb
