Design of Steel Structure Tension members Dr. Kamal Sh.

Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Tension members
Introduction
Tension members are structural elements that are subjected to axial tensile force.
They are used in various types of structures likes:

 Trusses in Frames & Bridges

 Bracing for building & bridge

 Cables such as: suspended roof systems, suspension & bridges

Type of Tension Members

 Standard Tension members: may be categorized as Plate or bar or rolled
structural shapes (W shape, M shape, S shapes …etc.)
 Threaded road or (bar) or (fasteners)
 Eye bar
 Built up members (sections)
Design of Steel Structure Tension members Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

 Tensile strength
The stress in an axially loaded tension member is given by
ƒ= P/A

Where

P is the magnitude of load, and 1 2

A is the cross-sectional area normal to the load
P P

1 2
Controlling Limit States
There are three limit states that relate to the member itself. These limit states that will
be considered are

1. Tensile strength
2. The design tensile strength (θPn) and the allowable tensile strength (Pn/Ω) of
tension members shall be the lower value obtained according to the limit of
tensile yielding in the gross section and tensile rupture in the net section.
t
 For tensile yielding in the gross area
Pn Pn
𝑃𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 𝑓𝑦 B
𝜃 = 0.9 (𝐿𝑅𝐹𝐷)
𝛺 = 1.67 (𝐴𝑆𝐷) Section 1-1

 For tensile rapture in the net section

t
𝑃𝑛 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑓𝑢
𝜃 = 0.75 (𝐿𝑅𝐹𝐷) Pn Pn
𝛺 = 2.0 (𝐴𝑆𝐷) B
Where:
𝐴𝑔 = Gross section area of tension members (in2)
Section 2-2
𝐴𝑒 = Effective net area of tension members (in2)
𝑓𝑦 = Specified min. yield strength depending on the steel type
𝑓𝑢 = Specified min. tensile strength depending on the steel type
3. Slenderness ratio
Slenderness is a serviceability limit state, not a strength limit state, so failure to adhere
to the suggestion is unlikely to cause an unsafe condition. The limit state is written as:

L/rmin. < 300

Where
"rmin"= is the least radius of gyration. "r" is a section property that equals the square
root of the moment of inertia divided by the cross section area. Every member has an
"r" for each of the principle axes
For single-angle members, the least radius of gyration, r, may be about the z-axis rather than
the x- or y-axis.
Design of Steel Structure Tension members Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

General design consideration

1- Gross area (Ag)
The gross area (Ag) of member is the total gross- sectional area.

𝐴𝑔 = 𝑡𝑥𝐵 (For plate)

𝐴𝑔 = from manual for standard section (chapter 1)

Example
Find the gross area for the following section
Plate (1/2” x 8”), W 10 x30, C15 x40, L 4x4x ½
Section Ag (in2)
PL (1/2 x4) ½x8=4
W 10 x 30 8.84 (from manual ch.1)
C 15 x 40 11.8 (from manual ch.1)
L4 x 4x1/2 3.75 (from manual ch.1)

2- Net area (An)

The net area (An) of member is the sum of the products of the thickness by the net
width of each element computed as follows:-

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝐴 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒
= 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 + 1/16)

Where:-
t= thickness of connected part for plate or section
PL (1/2 x8)
1 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.
Examples find the net area for the section shown below

1- PL (1/2 x8) connected by (1 ɸ 7/8 bolt D𝑖𝑎𝑚.)

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)

= (1/2x8) – ½ x1x (7/8+1/8) = 3.5 in 2

2- PL (1/2 x8) connected by (2 ɸ 7/8 bolt D𝑖𝑎𝑚.) PL (1/2 x8) 2 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)

= (1/2x8) – ½ x2x (7/8+1/8) = 3.0 in 2
Design of Steel Structure Tension members Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

3- W10 x 30 connected by (6 ɸ 7/8 bolt 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚.) in each flange as shown below

Sect. Ag tf
1 1/2
W10x10 8.84 0.51 7/8 bolt Diam
With STD hole
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
W10 x30
= 8.84 – 0.51x4x (7/8+1/8) = 6.8 in 2

4- W10 x 30 connected by (6 ɸ 7/8 bolt 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚.) in web as shown below

Sect. Ag tw 1 1/2
7/8 bolt Diam
W10x10 8.84 0.3 With STD hole

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8) W10 x30

= 8.84 – 0.3x2x (7/8+1/8) = 8.24 in 2

5- W10 x 30 connected by (6 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in each flange and (6 ɸ 7/8 bolt
Diam.) in web as shown below 7/8 bolt Diam
1 1/2
With STD hole

Sect. Ag tf tw
W10x10 8.84 0.51 0.3 W10 x30

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)

= 8.84 – 0.51x4x (7/8+1/8) – 2x 0.31 x (7/8+1/8) = 6.2 in 2

6- C15 x 40 connected by (16 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in web as shown below

Sect. Ag tw
C15x40 11.8 0.52
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 8.84 – 0.52x4 (7/8+1/8) = 6.76 in 2 3 3’ 3 3
’’
7- C15 x 40 connected by (8 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in web as shown below
Sect. Ag tf
C15x40 11.8 0.65
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 8.84 – 0.65x2 (7/8+1/8) = 7.54 in 2 3’’ 3’ 3’ 3
’

8- C15 x 40 connected by (20 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in web and flange as shown below
Sect. Ag tw tf
C15x40 11.8 0.52 0.65
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 8.84 – 0.52x4 (7/8+1/8) - 2x0.65x (7/8+1/8)
= 5.46 in 2
3’’ 3’’ 3’ 3
’ ’’
Design of Steel Structure Tension members Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

9- L4x4x1/2 connected by (4 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in one leg as shown below

Sect. Ag t
L4x4x1/2 3.75 1/2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 3.75 – 1/2x1(7/8+1/8) = 3.25 in 2 3’’ 3’’ 3’’ 3’’

10- L4x4x1/2 connected by (4 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in both leg as shown below

Sect. Ag t
L4x4x1/2 3.75 1/2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 3.75 – 1/2x2(7/8+1/8) = 2.75 in 2 3’’ 3’’ 3’’ 3’’

11- 2L4x4x1/2 connected by (4 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in one leg as shown below
Sect. Ag t
2L4x4x1/2 7.49 1/2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 7.49 – 1/2x2(7/8+1/8) = 6.49 in 2 3’’ 3’’ 3’’ 3’’

12- 2L4x4x1/2 connected by (4 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.) in both leg as shown below
Sect. Ag t
2L4x4x1/2 7.49 1/2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 1/8)
= 7.49 – 1/2x4(7/8+1/8) = 5.49 in 2 3’’ 3’’ 3’’ 3’’

For chain holes extending across a port in any diagonal or zigzag line, the net, the net
width of the port shall be obtained as follows:
𝑆2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝐴 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 + 𝑡 ∑ 4𝑔
1 𝑆2
= 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑ ( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + ) + 𝑡 ∑
8 4𝑔
1 𝑆2
= 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑ ( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 + ) + 𝑡 ∑
16 4𝑔
Where:-
t= thickness of connected part for plate or section.
S= longitudinal center to center space (pitch) of any two consecutive hole (in)
g= transverse center to center spacing (gage) between fastener gage lines (in)
Design of Steel Structure Tension members Dr. Kamal Sh. Mahmoud
Civil Engineering Fourth stage

Examples find the net area for the section shown below
3
2
1- Plate (1/2 x11) connected by (3 ɸ 3/4 bolt Diam.) 1 PL(1/2 x11)
2 1/2
1 𝑆2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑ ( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + 8) + 𝑡 ∑ 4𝑔 3

An 1-1=1/2 x11- 1/2x 2 (3/4 +1/8) + 0 = 4.625 in2 control 3

An 2-2=1/2 x11– 1/2x 2 (3/4 +1/8) + ½ x1x (62/4x6) = 5.375 in2 2 1/2

An 3-3=1/2 x15– 1/2x 3 (7/8 +1/8) + ½ x 1x (62/4x3) = 7.5 in2 4

1
6 2
3

2
4
Use min. An= 4.625 in2

Homework 2
Find the net area for Plate (1/2 x14) connected by (4 ɸ 7/8 bolt Diam.)
PL(1/2 x15)
3

4 6 2
3 4
Example
4
Determine the smallest net area for the American Standard Channel (C6x13) shown in
Figure below. The holes are for 5⁄8-inch-diameter bolts.

Sect. Ag tw
1
C 6x13 3.81 0.437
1 𝑆2 2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑ ( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + ) + 𝑡 ∑
8 4𝑔
An 1-1=3.81- 0.437x 1 (5/8 +1/18) + 0 = 3.483 in2 2 1

An 2-2=3.81– 0.437x 2 (5/8 +1/8) + 0.437 x1x (22/4x3)

An =3.3 in 2 control

Determine the net Area of W12x16 and the holes are for 1-inch-diameter bolts.
2 1

Sect. Ag tw
W12x16 4.71 0.22 3

1 𝑆2 3
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 – 𝑡 ∑ ( 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚. 𝑜𝑓 𝑏𝑜𝑙𝑡 + ) + 𝑡 ∑
8 4𝑔
An 1-1=4.71- 0.22x 2 (1 +1/18) + 0 = 4.215 in2 2 2

2 2
An 2-2=4.71– 0.22x 3 (1 +1/8) +0.2 2 x2x (2 /4x3) = 4.114 in control 1

An =4.11 in 2