The effect of cap plate thickness on the web behavior and resistance of W-shape steel beams framing over HSS columns is studied experimentally and analytically. Experimental and numerical results reveal that an increase in cap plate thickness results in increased web capacity. The degree of strength increase with cap plate thickness is higher for slender webs than for stockier webs. For long beams whose compression flanges reach yield in bending, a 38 mm cap plate is adequate to obtain the web strength specified in the current Canadian steel design code for relatively stocky webs. For slender webs, a simple analysis assuming uniform stress distribution underneath the cap plate results in an adequate cap plate. Key words: W shape, web bearing, web crippling, column loading, cap plate, elastic-plastic analysis, geometric imperfection.