SOUTH EAST ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, INC.

National Highway, Crossing Rubber, Tupi, South Cotabato

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

April 25, 2022

CE 171 – Principle of Steel Desing

MODULE 3
Tension Members
Figure 4-1

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 1 - of 17
Introduction
Axially loaded members stressed in tension are used in steel structures in
various forms; they occur as web and chord members in roof and floor trusses, and
as hangers and sag rods, diagonal braces for lateral stability, lap splices, and
in moment connections (see figure in pp. 1). They also occur as horizontal floor
and roof members in resisting the horizontal tension at the top of sloped columns
or diagonal struts, and as chords and drag struts or collectors in roof and floor
diaphragms in resisting lateral loads.
Beams and columns are subject to buckling due to compression stresses (such
as lateral-torsional buckling, Euler buckling, and local buckling) and must be
checked for this failure mode, but tension members are not susceptible to lateral
instability since compression stresses do not exist. The exception to this is the
special case when the applied tension load is eccentric to the member in
question, inducing an applied moment and therefore creating the possibility of
lateral instability.
The basic design check required for a tension member is to provide enough
cross-sectional area to resist the applied tensile force. One factor that has to
be considered is the non-uniform cross-sectional area of tension members with
bolted end connections. The cross-sectional area of the tension member is smaller
at the bolt locations than elsewhere along its length due to the presence of the
bolt holes. Members with concentric axial tension loads are rare in practice and
instead, tension members are often subjected to eccentric axial loading; for
example, a single angle subjected to a concentric axial tension load may also be
subjected to bending moment at its ends because of the eccentricity of its
connection gusset plates at the end supports of the angle. Even though
slenderness is not a direct design concern for tension members since they do not
buckle, the AISC specification does recommend an upper limit on the slenderness
ratio 𝐿𝑐 /𝑟 for tension members. The upper limit 𝐿𝑐 /𝑟 is equal to 300 for tension
members and 200 for compression members, where 𝐿𝑐 is the effective length equal
𝐾𝐿 , and 𝑟 is the radius of gyration. This recommendation does not apply to rods
or hangers in tension and it is not a mandatory requirement.

FAILURE MODES AND ANALYSIS OF TENSION MEMBERS

For members subjected to tension, the two most basic modes of failure are tensile
yielding on the gross section and tensile rupture at the net section. Tensile
yielding occurs when the stress on the gross area of the section is large enough
to cause excessive deformation. Tensile rupture occurs when the stress on the
effective area of the net cross-section is large enough to cause the member to
fracture or rupture (perpendicular to the tension force), which usually occurs
across a line of bolts where the tension member is weakest (see Section D of the
AISC 360-16 Specifications). The effective area is usually smaller than the gross
cross-sectional area; the reduction in the cross-sectional area occurs due to the
non-uniformity of tension stresses (a phenomenon also known as shear lag) and due
to the presence of bolt holes in bolted connections. Other failure modes of
tension members include block shear and the failure of the bolted or welded
connections at the ends of the tension member.

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 2 - of 17
Tensile Yielding on the Gross Section:
Failure occurs in this mode by tensile yielding of the member at the gross cross-
section. In the LRFD method, the ultimate tension capacity or design tensile
strength, 𝜙𝑃𝑛 , for the failure mode of tensile yielding in the gross section is
given as

𝜙𝑡 𝑃𝑛 = 𝜙𝑡 𝐹𝑦 𝐴g (4 − 1𝑎)

Where:

𝜙𝑡 = 0.9

𝑃𝑛 = Nominal Tensile yield Strength

𝐹𝑦 = Yield Strength

𝐴g = Gross sectional area of the tensile member

For the allowable strength design (ASD) method, the allowable tension load for
the tensile yielding failure mode is given as
𝑃𝑛 𝐹𝑦 𝐴g
𝑃𝑎 = = (4 − 1𝑏)
Ω𝑡 Ω𝑡
Where Ω𝑡 = Factor of safety for tensile yielding = 1.67

Tensile Rupture in the Net Section:

In this failure mode, the tension member fails by tensile rupture at the net
cross-section. For the LRFD method, the design tensile strength due to tensile
rupture on the effective net area is given as

𝜙𝑅 𝑃𝑛 = 𝜙𝑅 𝐹𝑢 𝐴e (4 − 2𝑎)
Where:

𝜙𝑅 = 0.75

𝑃𝑛 = Nominal tensile strength in fracture or rupture

𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑢 𝐴e

𝐹𝑢 = Minimum Tensile Strength

𝐴e = Effective Cross-sectional area of the tension member

For the allowable strength design (ASD) method, the allowable tension load in
tensile rupture is given as
𝑃𝑛 𝐹𝑢 𝐴𝑒
𝑃𝑎 = = (4 − 2𝑏)
Ω𝑅 Ω𝑅

Where Ω𝑅 = Factor of safety for tensile rupture = 2.0

The design tensile strength of a tension member is the smaller of the two
expressions indicated in equations (4-1a) and (4-2a) for the LRFD method, and
equations (4-1b) and (4-2b) for the ASD method. Note the lower strength reduction
factor and higher safety factor for the tensile rupture failure mode – a brittle
failure mode that occurs suddenly without warning therefore indicating low
ductility - compared to the corresponding values for the yielding failure mode –
a mode of failure that gives ample warning of impending failure, therefore,
indicating comparatively higher ductility.

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 3 - of 17
For the LRFD method, the limit states design equation requires that the design
tensile strength, 𝜙𝑃𝑛 , be greater than or equal to the applied maximum factored
load or load effect, Pu.
That is,

𝜙𝑃𝑛 ≥ 𝑃𝑢

In the ASD method, the allowable tension load, Pa, must be greater than or equal
to the applied maximum unfactored applied tension load, Ps.

𝑃𝑎 ≥ 𝑃𝑠

Effective Area, 𝑨𝒆 :
The effective net area, Ae, of a tension member is a product of the net cross-
sectional area which accounts for the presence of bolt holes, if any, at the
critical section, and the shear lag factor, U. Shear lag in tension members is a
phenomenon that occurs due to the non-uniform axial tension stress distribution
at the connections of the tension member because all of the elements of the
tension member are not connected or attached to the supporting member or gusset
plate. The axial tension stress is usually higher at the bolt or weld locations
and lower further away from the connectors, thus causing stress concentrations at
the tension member supports. One common example where shear lag occurs is when
only one leg of an angle tension member is connected to gusset plates at its
ends; the angle in this case will also be subjected to moments in addition to
axial tension stress. Shear lag leads to a reduction in the strength of a tension
member. Thus, the shear lag factor is a measure of the efficiency of the
connection of the tension member; the higher the shear lag factor, U, the smaller
the impact of shear lag (i.e., the more uniform the axial tension stress), and
the higher the efficiency of the tension member connection. The effective cross-
sectional area, Ae, of a tension member is given as:

𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 (4 − 3)
Where:

𝐴𝑛 = Net cross-sectional area of the tension member

𝑈 = Shear lag factor (SEE AISC 360-16 Table D3.1)

Note that for a tension member with welded connections, the net cross-sectional
area is equal to the gross cross-sectional area since there are no holes (i.e.,
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g for tension members with welded connections).

The net area of the critical cross-section of a tension member with a group of
bolts that lie on lines parallel and perpendicular to the axial load direction
(see Figure 4-2) is equal to the difference between the gross cross-sectional
area and the sum of the area of the bolt holes along the failure plane:

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g − ∑ 𝐴ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 (4 − 4)

Section B4.3 of the AISC specification indicates that when calculating the net
area for shear and tension, an additional 1/16 in. (2 mm) should be added to the
nominal width of a hole to account for the roughened edges that result from the
hole punching or drilling process.

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 4 - of 17
Figure 4-2 Tension member with in-line fasteners

For Bolted Connections, the actual bolt hole diameter used in the design
calculations will be
Where:
1
∑ 𝐴ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 = 𝑛 (𝑑𝑏 + ) 𝑡 (𝐸𝑛𝑔 4 − 5)
8

∑ 𝐴ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 = 𝑛(𝑑𝑏 + 4)𝑡 (𝑠𝑖 4 − 5)

𝑛 = Number of bolt holes along the failure plane (perpendicular to the tension
force)

𝑑𝑏 = Bolt Diameter

𝑡 = material thickness

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 5 - of 17
For tension members with more than one line of bolts parallel to the tension
load, a staggered layout of bolts may be used to satisfy minimum bolt spacing
requirements when the member width is limited, and they are also used to optimize
the net cross-sectional area for the fracture or rupture failure modes. For
tension members with a staggered bolt layout, several possible planes of fracture
or rupture need to be investigated, and some of the possible failure paths will
follow a zig-zag pattern.

Figure 4-3 Tension member with diagonal fasteners

When the fracture failure plane passes straight through a line of bolt holes
(line ABCDE) as shown in the figure, then the net cross-sectional area is as
noted in equation (4-4). For a failure plane where one or more segments of the
failure planes are at an angle relative to the axial tension force (e.g., line
ABCE in Figure 4-3), the following term is added to the net width of the member
for each diagonal portion that is present along the failure plane:

𝑠 2 /4g
The net width of the member is expressed as

𝑠2
𝑤𝑛 = 𝑤g − ∑ 𝑑ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 + ∑ ( ) (4 − 6)
4g
Where:
𝑤𝑛 = net width

𝑤g = gross width

𝑑ℎ = hole diameter

𝑠 = Longitudinal center-to-center spacing or pitch between two consecutive holes

g = Transverse center-to-center spacing or gage between two consecutive holes

Net Area, 𝑨𝒏

𝐴𝑛 = 𝑤𝑛 𝑡
𝐴g = 𝑤g 𝑡

𝑠2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g − 𝑡 ∑ 𝑑ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 + 𝑡 ∑ ( ) (4 − 7)
4g

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 6 - of 17
Figure 4-4 Welded Connection Tension member (example)

Shear lag factor, 𝑈 (see AISC 360-16 table D3.1)

With the exception of plates and round hollow structural sections (HSS), members
with a single concentric gusset plate and longitudinal welds, the shear lag
factor can be calculated as follows:
𝑥̅
𝑈 =1−
𝑙

𝑥̅ = Distance between the centroid of the connected member and the connection plane

𝑙 = Connection length measured parallel to the tension load (for bolts, it is the
out-to-out distance between extreme bolts).

Figure in AISC 360-16 Commentary D3

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 7 - of 17
Figure 4-5

Shear Lag Factor

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 8 - of 17
CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design
Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 9 - of 17
Example
Determination of effective net area, consider tension member shown in figure 4-6.
Figure 4-6 (Bolted Connection)

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 10 - of 17
 Section Properties of L127x127x9.5

𝐴g = 2350 𝑚𝑚2

𝑥̅ = 34.8 𝑚𝑚
From the figure shown

𝑙 = 3(75) = 225 𝑚𝑚
Shear lag factor
𝑥̅ 34.8
𝑈 =1− =1− = 0.845
𝑙 225
Alternatively, U = 0.80 from AISC Table D3.1
Net Area of the Angle bar
At any critical section where rupture may occur perpendicular to the tension
load, there is only one hole. Therefore, the net area is

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g − ∑ 𝐴ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠

𝐴𝑛 = 2350 𝑚𝑚2 − (1 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒)[(20 + 4) × 9.53] = 2121.280 𝑚𝑚2

Effective Area

𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 = 0.845(2121.28) = 1793.189 𝑚𝑚2

U-Value for a Welded Connection

Consider the figure shown

𝐴g = 2350 𝑚𝑚2

𝑥̅ = 34.8 𝑚𝑚
The average length of the longitudinal welds,
100 + 150
𝑙= = 125 𝑚𝑚
2
Shear lag Factor (see case 2)
For combination of longitudinal and transverse welds
𝑥̅ 34.8
𝑈 =1− =1− = 0.722
𝑙 125
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g = 2350 𝑚𝑚2 (no holes)

𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 = 0.722(2350) = 1696.7 𝑚𝑚2

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design
Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 11 - of 17
Example # 3
Maximum Factored Load (LRFD) and Maximum Allowable Load (ASD) in a Tension Member
a. Determine the maximum factored load (LRFD) and the maximum allowable load
(ASD) that can be applied in tension to the plate shown in Figure 4-8. The
material is ASTM A36 steel and is welded on three sides to the gusset plate.
b. If the unfactored dead load on the tension member is 90 kN, what is the
maximum unfactored live load in Pa (kN/m²) that can be supported by the
tension member assuming a tributary area of 20 m².

Material Properties
For ASTM A36 steel
𝐹𝑦 = 248 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐹𝑢 = 345 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Gross and effective area

𝐴g = 9(125) = 1125 𝑚𝑚2

𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g (no bolt holes)

𝑈 = 1.0 ( see table for shear lag factor)

𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 = 1.0(1125) = 1125 𝑚𝑚2

A. LRFD Method
Nominal Tensile Strength based on tensile yielding on the gross area of the
tension member

𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑦 𝐴g = (248𝑀𝑃𝑎)(1125𝑚𝑚²) = 279 𝑘𝑁

Design tensile strength based on yielding on the gross area of the tension
member

𝜙𝑃𝑛 = 0.9(279) = 251.100 𝑘𝑁

Nominal tensile strength due to fracture or rupture on the effective cross-
sectional area

𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑢 𝐴e = (345𝑀𝑃𝑎)(1125𝑚𝑚²) = 388.125 𝑘𝑁
Design tensile strength due to fracture or rupture on the effective cross-
sectional area

𝜙𝑃𝑛 = 0.75(388.125) = 291.094 𝑘𝑁

The design tensile strength of the tension member is 251.1 kN

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 12 - of 17
 ASD Method:
For the ASD method, the allowable tension load based on yielding on the
gross area of the tension member is

𝑃𝑛 279 𝑘𝑁
𝑃𝑎 = = = 167.066 𝑘𝑁
Ω𝑡 1.67
Note that for each failure mode, the previously calculated nominal strength,
𝑃𝑛 , in the LRFD method is equally applicable to the ASD method.

For the allowable strength design (ASD) method, the allowable tension load
due to tensile fracture or rupture on the effective crosssectional area is
given as
𝑃𝑛 388.125
𝑃𝑎 = = = 194.063 𝑘𝑁
Ω𝑅 2.00
The maximum unfactored or service load that can be supported by the tension
member according to the ASD method is

𝑃𝑠 = 167.066 𝑘𝑁

B. Maximum Unfactored Live Load, L with a dead load of 90 kN LRFD:

𝑃𝑢 = 1.2𝑃𝐷 + 1.6𝑃𝐿
251.1 𝑘𝑁 = 1.2(90 𝑘𝑁) + 1.6𝑃𝐿
𝑃𝐿 = 89.438 𝑘𝑁

With a tributary area of 20m², the maximum unfactored live load is L =

89.438kN/20m² = 4.472 kPa

For ASD:

𝑃𝑎 = 𝑃𝐷 + 𝑃𝐿
167.066 𝑘𝑁 = 90 + 𝑃𝐿
𝑃𝐿 = 77.066 𝑘𝑁
With a tributary area of 20m², the maximum unfactored live load is L =
77.066kN/20m² = 3.853 kPa

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 13 - of 17
Example # 4
Tension Member Analysis
Determine if the channel is adequate for the applied tension load shown in
Figure. The channel is ASTM A36 steel and is connected with four 16 mm. diameter
bolts. The tension member is subjected to service dead and live loads of 125 kN
and 110 kN, respectively. Neglect block shear.

Section Properties of C200x17.1

𝐴g = 2170 𝑚𝑚2
𝑥̅ = 14.5 𝑚𝑚
𝑡𝑤 = 5.590 𝑚𝑚
For ASTM A36 steel
𝐹𝑦 = 248 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐹𝑢 = 345 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Net area of the channel
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g − ∑ 𝐴ℎ
= 2170 − 2(5.59)(16 + 4) = 1946.400 𝑚𝑚²
Effective Area
𝑥̅ 14.5
𝑈 =1− =1− = 0.855
𝑙 100
𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 = 0.855(1946.4) = 1664.172 𝑚𝑚²
LRFD Method:

Factored Load, 𝑃𝑢 = 1.2𝑃𝐷 + 1.6𝑃𝐿 = 326 𝑘𝑁

Nominal tensile strength due to tensile yielding on the gross area

𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑦 𝐴g = (248𝑀𝑃𝑎)(2170 𝑚𝑚²) = 538.160 𝑘𝑁

The design tensile strength due to yielding

𝜙𝑃𝑛 = 0.9(538.160) = 484.344 𝑘𝑁

Nominal tensile strength due to fracture or rupture on the effective
area
𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑢 𝐴e = (345𝑀𝑃𝑎)(1664.172𝑚𝑚) = 574.139 𝑘𝑁

The design tensile strength due to fracture or rupture on the

effective area

𝜙𝑃𝑛 = 0.75(574.139) = 430.604 𝑘𝑁

The design tensile strength of the tension member is the smaller of
the two values, 𝝓𝑷𝒏 = 𝟒𝟑𝟎. 𝟔𝟎𝟒𝒌𝑵
CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design
Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 14 - of 17
Example # 5
Determine the maximum factored load that can be applied in tension to the angle
shown in Figure. The angle is ASTM A36 steel and is connected with four 20mm.
diameter bolts. Neglect block shear.

Section Properties of L152x102x9.5

𝐴g = 2330 𝑚𝑚2
𝑥̅ = 23.7 𝑚𝑚
𝑡𝑤 = 9.53 𝑚𝑚
For ASTM A36 steel
𝐹𝑦 = 248 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐹𝑢 = 345 𝑀𝑃𝑎

Net Area of the angle

𝑠2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g − 𝑡 ∑ 𝑑ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 + 𝑡 ∑ ( )
4g

For path ABC

𝐴𝑛 = 2330 − 9.53(20 + 4𝑚𝑚) + 0 = 2101.280 𝑚𝑚²

For path ABDE
(40)2
𝐴𝑛 = 2330 − 9.53[2(20 + 4𝑚𝑚)] + 9.53 [ ] = 1925.504 𝑚𝑚²
4(72)

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 15 - of 17
Cont.
Adopt smallest net area

𝑨𝒏 = 𝟏𝟗𝟐𝟓. 𝟓𝟎𝟒 𝒎𝒎²

Effective Area
𝑥̅ 23.7
𝑈 =1− =1− = 0.803
𝑙 120
𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 = 0.803(1925.504) = 𝟏𝟓𝟒𝟔. 𝟏𝟖𝟎 𝒎𝒎

Tensile Strength
Tensile strength based on tensile yielding on the gross area

𝜙𝑃𝑛 = 𝜙𝐹𝑦 𝐴g = 0.9(248𝑀𝑃𝑎)(2330𝑚𝑚2 ) = 520.056 𝑘𝑁

Tensile strength based on the tensile rupture on the effective area

𝜙𝑃𝑛 = 𝜙𝐹𝑢 𝐴e = 0.75(345𝑀𝑃𝑎)(1546.180𝑚𝑚2 ) = 400.074 𝑘𝑁

Therfore, the maximum Factored Load that can be applied is 400.074 kN

Example # 6
A992 steel is used for the tension member shown in Figure. The bolts are ¾ in. ∅.
The connection is to a 3/8-in.-thick gusset plate.
a. Determine the nominal strength based on the gross area.
b. Determine the nominal strength based on the effective net area.

Section Properties of L152x102x9.5

𝐴g = 11.80 𝑖𝑛2
𝑥̅ = 0
𝑡𝑤 = 0.305 𝑖𝑛
For ASTM A992 steel
𝐹𝑦 = 50 𝑘𝑠𝑖
𝐹𝑢 = 65 𝑘𝑠𝑖

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 16 - of 17
Cont.
Net Area of the angle

𝑠2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴g − 𝑡 ∑ 𝑑ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒𝑠 + 𝑡 ∑ ( )
4g

Most Critical Path for rapture failure:

Path ABCDEF
3 1
𝐴𝑛 = 11.80 − 0.305 [4 ( + )] + 0 = 10.733 𝑖𝑛2 ← 𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒍
4 8
Path JKGHLM
3 1 (3)2
𝐴𝑛 = 11.80 − 0.305 [4 ( + )] + 0.305 [2 [ ]] = 11.991 𝑖𝑛²
4 8 4(3)
Path JKGHI
3 1 (3)2
𝐴𝑛 = 11.80 − 0.305 [4 ( + )] + 0.305 [ ] = 10.961 𝑖𝑛²
4 8 4(3)

Effective Area

𝑈 = 0.7 (𝑠𝑒𝑒 𝑡𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝑙𝑎𝑔 𝑓𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟)

𝐴𝑒 = 𝑈𝐴𝑛 = 0.70(10.733) = 𝟕. 𝟓𝟏𝟑

Nominal Tensile Strength

a. Nominal Tensile strength based on tensile yielding on the gross area

𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑦 𝐴g = (50 𝑘𝑠𝑖)(11.80 𝑖𝑛2 ) = 𝟓𝟗𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔

b. Nominal Tensile strength based on the tensile rupture on the effective

area

𝑃𝑛 = 𝐹𝑢 𝐴e = (65 𝑘𝑠𝑖)(7.513𝑖𝑛2 ) = 𝟒𝟖𝟖. 𝟑𝟒𝟓 𝒌𝒊𝒑𝒔

CE 71 – Principle of Steel Design

Vincent Mark R. Garrido
Page - 17 - of 17