TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

A tension member is designed as a structural member subjected to tensile force in a direction parallel to
its longitudinal axis. A tension member is also called a tie member or simply a tie.

ANALYSIS OF TENSION MEMBERS

Structural Members Subjected to Axial Tensile Force

 truss members
 cables in suspension bridges
 bracing for buildings

Tensile Stress
T
f = – stress capacity
t A
P = FA – tensile capacity
t t

Allowable Tensile Stress

F = 0.60F – on gross area
t y
F = 0.50F – on effective net area
t u

Gross Area
• Gross area of a member at any point shall be determined by summing products of thickness and
gross width of each element as measured normal to axis of member
At=Σwiti
• For angles, the gross width shall be the sum of widths of the legs less thickness
A=a + b – t
Net Area
• Presence of a hole obviously increases unit stress in a tension member even if hole is occupied by
a rivet or a bolt
dh=db + 2.0 mm
• In case of a chain of holes extending across a part in any diagonal or zigzag line, net width of part
shall be obtained by deducting from gross width sum of diameters of all holes in the chain and
adding, for each gage space, the quantity;
s2
c= 4g
• For angles, gage for bolts in opposite adjacent legs shall be sum of gages from back of angles less
thickness;
• Critical net area of part is obtained from that chain which gives the least net width;

Engr. IRB PRINSTEEL Page 1 of 16

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Effective Net Area

• When a member other than a flat plate or bar is loaded in axial tension until failure, its actual
tensile failure stress will probably be less than the tensile strength of steel
 Reason is concentration of stress, called shear lag
 Shear lag describes behavior at an end connection of a tension member where some but
not all of cross-sectional elements are connected
 Flow of tensile stress between the full member cross-section and the connected cross-section
is not 100% effective
• when load is transmitted directly to each of the cross-sectional elements by connectors, effective
net area can be computed by;
Ae=An
• when load is transmitted by bolts or rivets through some but not all of the cross-sectional elements
of members, effective net area shall be;
Ae=UAn
• when load is transmitted by welds through some but not all of the cross-sectional elements of
members, effective net area shall be;
Ae=UAg
• effective net area shall be taken as actual net area, except that, for purpose of design calculations,
it shall not be taken as greater than 85% of gross area

Engr. IRB PRINSTEEL Page 2 of 16

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 1:

A steel plate is made up of 10 mm x 250 mm with 20– mm  bolts. Compute the design net area of the
plate. (assume all dimensions to be in mm)

 Solution

dh = 20 + 2.0 = 22.0 mm

̅ = C̅ = D
B ̅ = 250 – 1(22) = 228.0 mm

̅̅̅̅
AE = 250 – 2(22) = 206.0 mm

(50)2 (50)2
̅̅̅̅̅̅
ABE = 250 – 3(22) + + = 202.75 mm
(4)(50) (4)(100)

(60)2 (60)2
̅̅̅̅̅̅
ADE = 250 – 3(22) + + = 211.0 mm
(4)(100) (4)(50)

(135)2 (75)2 (60)2

̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
ACDE = 250 – 4(22) + + + = 299.25 mm
(4)(50) (4)(50) (4)(50)

(135)2 (75)2
̅̅̅̅̅̅
ACD = 250 – 3(22) + + = 281.25 mm
(4)(50) (4)(50)

2
An = 10(202.75) = 2027.5 mm

2
An = 0.85Ag = 0.85(10) (250) = 2125.0 mm

Engr. IRB PRINSTEEL Page 3 of 16

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 2:

A single angle tension member 150 mm x 100 mm x 20 mm has two gage lines in its long leg and one in
the short leg for 16–mm  bolts. If the area of the angular section is 4480 mm2, compute the design net
area.

 Solution

t1 t2
g = g1 – + g2 – = 50 + 50 – 20 = 80.0 mm
2 2

dh = 16 + 2.0 = 18.0 mm

W = 50 + 80 + 50 + 50 = 230.0 mm

̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
1245 = 230 – 2(18) = 194.0 mm

(50)2 (50)2
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅̅ =
12345 230 – 3(18) + + = 196.31 mm
(4)(80) (4)(50)

2
An = 20(194) = 3880.0 mm

2
An = 0.85Ag = 0.85(4480) = 3808.0 mm

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIIMBER DESIGN Page 4 of 16

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 3:

The plate shown has a width of 300 mm and thickness of 20 mm and to be connected to another plate
by 20-mm  bolts. Calculate the value of pitch “b” such that the net width along bolts “1234” is equal to
net width along bolts “124”. (all dimensions in mm).

 Solution

dh = 20 + 2.0 = 22.0 mm

(60)2 b2 (120)2 b2
̅̅̅̅̅̅̅
1234 = 300 – 4(22) + + + = 287 +
(4)(60) (4)(60) (4)(60) 240

(60)2 (120-b)2 (120-b)2

̅̅̅̅̅
124 = 300 – 3(22) + + = 249 +
(4)(60) (4)(120) 480

b2 + 240b + 2880 = 0; b = 25.34 mm

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 5 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Block Shear
• Susceptibility of a segment or “block” of material tear out
• Similar to tensile rupture in the main part of the member
• Combination of tension and shear on the failure path

P = AvFv + AtFt
Fv = 0.30Fu
Ft = 0.50Fu

where: Fv – allowable shear stress

Ft – allowable tensile stress
Av – net shear area
At – net tension area

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 6 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 4:

The 175 x 100 x 20 mm angle is connected to a gusset plate with three 25-mm  as shown. Assuming
three bolts per line and A36 is used, find the tensile load capacity. (all dimensions in mm)

 Solution

dh = 25 + 2 = 27.0 mm
Weff = 175 + 100 – 20 = 255.0 mm
2
Ag = 255(20) = 5100.0 mm

2
An = Ag – ndht = 5100 – 1(27)(20) = 4560.0 mm
bf 100
= = 0.571
d 175
bf 2
since, < ,  adapt, U = 0.85
d 3
2
Ae = Uan = 0.85(4560) = 3876.0 mm
2
0.85Ag= 0.85(5100) = 4335.0 mm

(0.6)(248)(5100)
P = 0.60FyAg = 1000
= 758.88 kN

(0.5)(400)(3876)
P = 0.5FuAe = 1000
= 775.20 kN

P = AvFv + AtFt

Av = 20[250 – 2.5(27)] = 3650.0 mm2

At = 20[75 – ½(27)] = 1230.0 mm2

(0.3)(3650)(400)+(0.5)(1230)(400)
P = = 684.0 kN
1000

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 7 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

DESIGN OF TENSION MEMBERS

• Design of tension member involves member with adequate gross and net areas

• Selection of a suitable cross section requires the area lost because of holes be accounted for

P
Ag(min)=
0.6Fy

P
Ae(min)=
0.5Fu

P
An(min) =
0.5Fu U

• ratio of unsupported length to least radius of gyration

Lu
≤ 300
r

where: Lu – unsupported length of the member

r – least radius of gyration

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 8 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 5:

A tension member with a length of 2.0 m must resist a service load of 400 kN. Select a member with a
rectangular cross-section. Use A36 steel and assume a connection of one line of 25-mm  bolts.

 Solution

dh = 25 + 2.0 = 27.0 mm
P 400 x 103
Ag(reqd) = = (0.6)(248)
0.6Fy
2
= 2688.2 mm
P 400 x 103 2
Ae(reqd) = = (0.5)(400)
= 2000.0 mm
0.6Fu
since, An = Ae,
Ag(reqd) = An + dht
2688.2 = 2000 + 27t; t = 25.49 mm
2688.17
b = = 105.46 mm
25.49
try, t = 30 mm
b = 110 mm
Ag(prov) = bt = (110)(30) = 3300.0 mm2
An = Ae = Ag – ndht = 3300 – 1(27)(30) = 2490.0 mm2
0.85Ag = 0.85(3300) = 2805.0 mm2
(0.6)(248)(3300)
P = 0.6FyAg = = 491.04 kN
1000
(0.5)(400)(2490)
P = 0.50FuAe = = 498.0 kN
1000
bh3 (110)(30)3
I = = = 247500 mm4
12 12
I 247500
r = √ = √ = 8.66 mm
A 3300
L 2000
= = 230.94
r 8.66
L
since, < 300,  section is adequate
r

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 9 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Pin-Connected Members
• In structural analysis, any member connection designed to transfer axial and shear forces, but not
moments
• Until early years of 20th century, nearly all bridges were pin-connected
• Today pin-connected bridges are seldom used because of advantages of bolted and welded
connections
• Trouble with pin-connected trusses was wearing of pins in holes causing looseness of joints

Allowable Stress
Ft = 0.60Fy – tensile stress (on gross area)
Ft = 0.45Fy – tensile stress (on net area)
Fp = 0.90Fy – bearing stress
where: Ft – allowable axial tensile stress
Fp – allowable bearing stress
Fy – specified minimum yield stress of steel

Code Provisions for Pin-Connected Members

• Minimum net area beyond pinhole, parallel to axis of member, shall be;
2
Aco ≥ Aab
3
• Diameter of pinhole shall not be more than 0.8 mm greater than the diameter of pin;
d = dp + 0.8
• The distance, transverse to axis, from edge of pinhole to edge of member;
de ≤ 4t
4
de ≤ d
5
• The corners beyond the pinhole may be cut at 45o to the axis of the member, provided the net area
beyond the pinhole, on a plane perpendicular to the cut, is not less than that perpendicular to the
direction of the load

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 10 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 6:

An ASTM A36 pin connected tension member with the dimensions shown below carries a load of 50 kN
in tension. The diameter of the pin is 25 mm. Assume that the pin itself is adequate, verify the strength of
the member.

 Solution

dh = dp + 0.8 = 25 + 0.8 = 25.8 mm

Aco = 60(12) = 720.0 mm2
Aab = Ag – ndht = (100)(12) – 1(25.8)(12) = 890.4 mm2
2
since, Aco > Aab,  ok
3
W-d 100 - 25.8
de = = = 37.1 mm
2 2

4t = 4(12) = 48.0 mm
4 4
d = (25.8) = 20.64 mm
5 5
4
since, 4t > de > d,  adapt, de = 37.10 mm
5

(0.6)(248)(100)(12)
P = 0.60FyAg = = 178.56 kN
1000
(0.45)(248)(12)(37.1)
P = 0.45FyAp = = 49.68 kN
1000
(0.90)(248)(25)(12)
P = 0.90FyAp = = 66.96 kN
1000

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 11 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Eyebars
• A straight bar, usually of metal, with a hole ("eye") at each end for fixing to other components
• Used in structures such as bridges, in settings in which only tension, and never compression, is applied

• Width of body of an eyebar shall be;

W ≤ 8t
• Thickness shall be;
t ≥ 12 mm
• Distance from hole edge to plate edge perpendicular to direction of applied load shall be;
2 3
W ≤ de ≤ W
3 4

• Pin diameter shall be;

7
dp ≥ W
8

• Pinhole diameter shall be;

d = dp + 0.8
• For steel having a yield stress greater than 483 mPa, hole diameter shall be;
d ≤ 5t

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 12 of 13

 TOPIC 4 – Tension Members

Example 7:

An A36 15-mm thick eyebar member carries a tensile load of 150 kN and pin diameter is 75 mm. Determine
the adequacy of member.

 Solution

d = dp + 0.8 = 75 + 0.8 = 75.8 mm

since, t > 12 mm,  ok
7 7
W = (75) = 65.63 mm
8 8
7
since, dp > W,  ok
8

8t = 8(15) = 120 mm
since, W < 8t,  ok
D-d 180 -75.8
de = = = 52.1 mm
2 2
3 3
W = (75) = 56.25 mm
4 8
2 2
W = (75) = 50.0 mm
3 3
2 3
since, W < de < W,  ok
3 4
(0.6)(248)(75)(15)
P = 0.60FyAg = 1000
= 167.40 kN
(0.45)(248)(52.1)(15)
P = 0.45FyAp = = 174.43 kN
1000
(0.90)(248)(75)(15)
P = 0.90FyAp = = 251.10 kN
1000

Engr. Bryan Dale P. Yu STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN Page 13 of 13