⇒

CIV2225
Tension Members, Base Plate and Combined Actions

1. Tension Members
2. Base Plate
3. Combined Actions

1
⇒

1. Tension Members

1.1 Failure modes

• Yield failure

• Fracture failure

2
 Tensile Coupons

Non-heat treated tubes VHS tubes

⇒

1.2 Design Capacity

N* ≤ ФNt
Where

capacity factor Φ=0.9,

Nt is the "nominal section capacity of a tension member".

Nt shall be taken as the lesser of

Nt = Ag fy and Nt = 0.85 kt An fu

In which,
Ag = gross area of the cross-section,

kt = correction factor to allow for eccentricity of connections,

An is the net area.

7
⇒

1.3 An and kt

Net area An = Ag - Ah

Ah is the total area due to bolt holes, etc.

Standard bolt sizes are 12, 16, 20, 24, 30, and 36mm.

Bolt holes are 2mm greater than this for bolts up to 24mm, but may be
3mm greater for larger bolts.

8
⇒

If bolt holes are in line across a tension member,

the area to be deducted to find An is simply the
sum of [(hole diameter) times (plate thickness)]
across the section.

9
⇒

If holes are staggered, the failure path of the connection is either along
ABDE (non-staggered holes) or along ABCDE (staggered holes),
depending on the value of sg and sp.

Ah = the greater of

(i) total hole areas along non-staggered holes (e.g. ABDE); and
(ii) total hole areas along staggered holes (e.g. ABCDE) less ( s 2p t / 4s g )
for each stagger.
2
In the example above, Ah = 3dt - 2( p t / 4s g ).
s
10
⇒

Tension members in trusses are often connected eccentrically to other

members or to gusset plates.
When they are used in bracing, they are often connected eccentrically
to the members they are bracing.

The results are that bending moments equal to P*e are induced;
appreciable bending stresses, with increased total stress on one side
of the member and a non-uniform stress distribution; distortion of
the bracing or truss.

11
⇒

For angles, channels, and T sections, values of kt are

unequal angle, short leg attached 0.75
unequal angle, long leg attached 0.85
equal angle 0.85
channel, back attached 0.85
T-section "bar" attached 0.90 12
⇒

If I-sections and channels are connected to other members by their

flanges only (a common way of forming symmetrical connections in
large trusses)

kt must be taken as 0.85 because the stress distribution is not uniform.

Stresses are higher in the flanges than in the web.

13
1.4 Example

Determine the tensile capacity of the a square hollow section (SHS 50x50x3)
of Grade C350 (fy of 350 MPa and fu of 430 MPa).

What happens when the Grade becomes C450 (fy of 450 MPa and fu of 500
MPa)?
The tensile capacity of the section is 170 kN.
What happens when the Grade becomes C450 (fy of 450 MPa and fu of 500 MPa)?

fy = 450 Mpa
fu = 500 Mpa
0.85fu = 425 Mpa < fy

Fracture governs

Nominal capacity

Nt = 0.85 kt An fu = 0.85 x 1.0 x 541 x 0.500 = 230 kN

Design capacity

ФNt = 0.9 x 230 = 207 kN

16
The tensile capacity of the section is 207 kN.
2. Base Plate
For column support

17
⇒

2. Base Plate

2.1 Action and Capacity

A flexible base plate is usually subjected to concentric axial load

transmitted through the column, inducing a uniform pressure on the
base plate. A typical pinned base connection with a flexible base
plate is shown in the following diagram. The objective of the design
is to determine the minimum values for B, D and t of the base plate.
P a
X b base plate
Y Y
t
B g

X grout
D
18
⇒

Action:

Compression force N* causes a uniform pressure on the base plate,

w = N*/(D×B)

The moment per unit length (m*) generated by this uniform pressure is
the greater of:
Force = Area * Pressure

mx* = w × (a × B) × (a/2) /B = wa2/2

and Force * Distance
my* = w × (b × D) × (b/2) /D = wb2/2

m* = max (mx*, my*)

if we use c to define the greater of a and b,

m* = wc2/2
19
⇒

d
Capacity

The moment capacity per unit length is: mp = fy . S

Plastic Section Modulus
mp = φfyt2/4
S = bd2/4
The plate thickness can be determined by: Z = bd2/6
I = bd3/12
φfyt2/4 ≥ wc2/2 →
2w
t≥ ⋅c d=t
Φf y b = 1 (per unit length)

20
⇒

2.2 Design Procedures

The steps for determining the size of a flexible base plate under
concentric axial load are summarised as follows:

(i) Calculate the minimum area Amin required for the base plate under
an axial load N* from the column given that the maximum bearing
stress of the grout beneath the base plate is 1.2f’c where f’c is the
grout strength. That is,

N*
A min =
1.2f c'

Hence, determine the lengths B and D of the base plate and the actual
bearing pressure.
21
⇒

(ii) Determine the projection lengths a and b taking into consideration

the actual dimensions of the column that the base plate is
supporting.

(iii) Calculate the required plate thickness.

22
⇒

2.3 Example
Determine the size of a flexible base plate supporting a 200UC52
column (d=206mm, bf = 204mm) which is subjected to a concentric
axial load of 1200 kN. The characteristic strength of the grout, f’c = 20
MPa. Grade 250 steel plate is to be used.

Solution:
(i). A min =
1200 × 10 3
= 50000mm 2
1.2 × 20

Use B=230 mm, D= 230mm

1200 ×10 3
Actual pressure, w = = 22.7MPa
230 × 230

23
⇒

230 − 206
(ii). Projections: a = 2
= 12mm ,
230 − 204
b= 2
= 13mm ,

c = max (12mm, 13mm) = 13mm

(iii). t= 2 × 22.7
⋅ 13 = 5.84mm,
0.9 × 250

Use t = 6mm

24
⇒

3. Combined Actions

•Beams under bending and compression Also called Beam-Columns

•Columns under compression and bending
Moment capacity affected by compression force.
Assume FLR is provided in CIV2225.

3.1 Symbols Used

Actions: N* = Axial force

M*x = Bending moment about x axis

Capacities: Ns = Column section capacity

Msx = Beam section capacity about x axis

Reduced capacities:
Mrx = Reduced beam section capacity 25
Mi = Reduced in-plane member moment capacity
Interaction of Bending and Compression
27
⇒

3.2 Capacities

Compression (N*) and M*x

Section capacity check: (general formula)

Action in Compression

* N*
M ≤ φM rx ≤ φM sx (1 −
x ) Interaction Equation
Action in Bending Capacity in φN s
Pure Bending Capacity in
Pure Compression

Section capacity check: (for special I-sections and RHS

– compact and form factor of 1.0) Interaction diagram

* N*
M ≤ φM rx ≤ φ1.18 ⋅ M sx (1 −
x )
φN s 28
⇒

Compression (N*) and M*x with FLR provided

Member capacity check: (general formula)

N*
M*x ≤ φM i = φM sx (1 − ) Interaction diagram
φN cx

Member capacity check: - for special formula, see CIV3221

29
Graph – Interaction Diagram

Horizontal axis: N*/φNs

Vertical axis: M*x/φMsx

30
⇒

3.3 Example

1. Determine the design major (x) axis section moment capacity

of a 200UC52.2 of Grade 250 steel which has a design axial
compression force of N* = 112 kN.

Given: fy = 250 MPa, capacity factor φ = 0.9, form factor kf =

1.0, compact section, cross-section area An = 6640 mm2, plastic
section modulus Sx = 568,000 mm3

31
⇒

Solution:

Msx = Sx fy = 568,000 x 250 = 142 x 106 Nmm = 142 kNm

Ns = kf An fy = 1.0 x 6640 x 250 = 1660 x 103 N = 1660 kN

General Formula
N*
ΦM sx (1− )
ΦN s

φMrx = 0.9 x 142 x [1 – 112/(0.9x1660)] = 118 kNm

32
using formula for special I-section

Msx = 142 kNm

Ns = 1660 kN

Check φMsx = 0.9 ×142 = 129 kNm

Hence φMrx = 129 kNm

Interaction diagram
⇒

2. Check the in-plane member capacity of the 200UC52.2 beam-

column of Grade 250 steel, which is subjected to a combined
moment Mx* of 105 kNm and a compression force of 112 kN.
Assume FLR is provided.

Given: fy = 250 MPa, capacity factor φ = 0.9, form factor kf =

1.0, compact section. Column length L = 5000 mm, effective
length factor ke = 1.0, radius of gyration r = 89 mm, αb = 0

34
⇒

Solution:
ke L fy 1.0 ⋅ 5000 250
λn = ( ) k f ⋅ =( ) ⋅ 1.0 ⋅ = 56
r 250 89 250

αc = 0.84 [from Table 6.3.3(3), AS4100]

Ns = 1660 kN [from Example 1]

φNc = 0.9 x 0.84 x 1660 = 1255 kN

Msx = 142 kNm [from Example 1]

N* 112
ΦM i = ΦM sx (1 −
ΦN cx
) = 0.9 ⋅ 142 ⋅ (1 −
1255
) = 116 kNm
Interaction diagram

Options to increase the reduced member moment capacity by 30%?

Options to decrease the reduced member moment capacity by 30%?
35
⇒

Summary

Tension member:
section geometry → Ag, An, kt → Nt (yield vs. fracture) → take the
smaller one

Base plate:
N* and fc' → pressure w → B and D → a, b based on column size
→c → t

Combined actions:
Actions, capacity under separate loading, reduced capacity

Next Lecture:
Floor system, Cost, Fire
36