According to the Code of Standard Practice, how many samples are required to be tested for structural steel?

The correct answer indicates that the number of samples required to be tested for structural steel is determined by the ASTM specification. This is important because ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) provides detailed guidelines regarding standards and procedures for testing materials, including structural steel. The specifications set forth by ASTM ensure that the testing methods and sample sizes are appropriate for the type of steel and its intended use, thereby maintaining safety, quality, and structural integrity.

Each ASTM specification may have different requirements based on factors such as the type of project, the material properties, and the potential consequences of failure. Therefore, referring directly to the ASTM specification allows for a tailored approach that aligns with industry standards and practices, ensuring that structural steel meets the necessary quality assurance criteria.

In contrast, specifying a fixed number of samples per project or arbitrary numbers like ten or three does not take into account the variability and specific needs of different projects and materials, thus failing to meet the requirements defined by ASTM, which are intended to uphold safety and performance standards in construction.