Effective Net Area

When a member other than a flat plate or bar is loaded in axial tension until
failure occurs across its net section, its actual tensile failure stress will probably
be less than the coupon tensile strength of the steel, unless all of the various
elements which make up the section are connected so that stress is transferred
uniformly across the section.
If the forces are not transferred uniformly across
a member cross section, there will be a transition
region of uneven stress running from the
connection out along the member for some
distance. At the connection more of the load is
carried by the connected leg, and it takes the
transition distance for the stress to spread uniformly
across the whole angle.
The farther we move out from the connection, the more uniform the stress
becomes. In the transition region, the shear transfer has lagged and the
phenomenon is referred to as shear lag.
In such a situation, the flow of tensile stress between the full member cross
section and the smaller connected cross section is not 100 percent effective. As a
result, the AISC Specification states that the effective net area Ae, of such a
member is to be determined by multiplying an area A by a reduction factor U.
The use of a factor such as U accounts for the nonuniform stress distribution

Table D3.1 of the AISC Specification provides a detailed list of shear lag or U
factors for different situations.
In order to calculate U for a W section connected by its flanges only, we will
assume that the section is split into two structural tees. Then the value of used
will be the distance from the outside edge of the flange to the c.g. of the
structural tee, as shown in parts (a) and (b)
Example -6:
Determine the LRFD design tensile strength and the ASD allowable design tensile
strength for a W10 G 45 with two lines of 3/4 -in diameter bolts in each flange
using A572 Grade 50 steel, with Fy = 50 ksi and Fu = 65 ksi, and the AISC
Specification. There are assumed to be at least three bolts in each line 4in on
center, and the bolts are not staggered with respect to each other.
Example -6:
Determine the LRFD design tensile strength and the ASD allowable design
tensile strength for a W10 G 45 with two lines of 3/4 -in diameter bolts in each
flange using A572 Grade 50 steel, with Fy = 50 ksi and Fu = 65 ksi, and the
AISC Specification. There are assumed to be at least three bolts in each line 4in
on center, and the bolts are not staggered with respect to each other.

4 in
4 in

W10 G 45 => Refer to WT5 G 22.5 to find eccentricity connection

Solution:

Page 37
Page 78
From Table D3.1 (Case 2 and 7):
Case 2 =>

Case 7 =>

=> U = 0.90
Example -7:
Determine the LRFD design tensile strength and the ASD allowable tensile
strength for an A36 (Fy = 36 ksi and Fu = 58 ksi) L6 G 6 G 3/8 in that is connected
at its ends with one line of four 7/8-in-diameter bolts in standard holes 3in on
center in one leg of the angle.
Example -7:
Determine the LRFD design tensile strength and the ASD allowable tensile
strength for an A36 (Fy = 36 ksi and Fu = 58 ksi) L6 G 6 G 3/8 in that is
connected at its ends with one line of four 7/8-in-diameter bolts in standard holes
3in on center in one leg of the angle.

3 in
3 in
3 in
Solution:

Page 53
From Table D3.1 (Case 2 and 8):

Case 2 =>

Case 8 => Four or more fastener in direction of loading => U = 0.80

Example -8:
The 1 G 6in plate shown below is connected to a 1 G 10in plate with
longitudinal fillet welds to transfer a tensile load. Determine the LRFD design
tensile strength and the ASD allowable tensile strength of the member if Fy = 50
ksi and Fu = 65 ksi.
Solution:
Considering the nominal or available tensile strength of the smaller PL 1 G 6 in

From Table D3.1 (Case 4):

Example -9:
Compute the LRFD design tensile strength and the ASD allowable tensile
strength of the angle shown below. It is welded on the end (transverse) and sides
(longitudinal) of the 8-in leg only. Fy = 50 ksi and Fu = 70 ksi.
Solution:
Nominal or available tensile strength of the angle