The baseline ASTM A36 specification does not include mandatory Charpy V-Notch (CVN) impact testing. This test measures a material's toughness, or resistance to brittle fracture, at a specified temperature. A36 is considered a general-purpose steel for applications where service temperatures are not severely low.
When is it specified? As an optional supplementary requirement (per ASTM A673). A purchaser would specify CVN testing if the H-beams are intended for:
Structures in cold climates where service temperatures routinely fall below freezing.
Dynamically loaded structures or those with high susceptibility to impact.
Applications governed by a design code or authority that mandates fracture toughness assurance.
The supplementary requirement would specify the test temperature (e.g., 40°F, 0°F, -20°F) and the minimum energy absorption required. If not specified, the H-beams are supplied without certified impact properties.