8/12/2023

Tension Member
Design
Professor Dr. Jahangir Alam,
Former Professor of Civil
Engineering, BUET, Dhaka

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Definition and Use

• Structural elements subjected to axial
tensile force
• Found in roof, bridge trusses, transmission
towers, wind bracing system, trussed floor
system, wall girt system

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Sections

Round bar Angle Starred angle Double angle Flat bar Latticed Channel

W-section S-section Double channel Channel

(wide flange) (American
Standard)
`
` `

Built-up box sections

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Stress-strain curve • Stress = F/A

of steel • Strain = deformation/length
• Young’s modulus = stress/strain
• Yield strength
Fu
• Ultimate strength
• Modulus of resilience
• Modulus of toughness
• Fracture
• Yielding

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Nominal Strength
Tn
Yielding without any hole
Nominal Strength ,
Tn= Fy Ag

Fy= yield stress

Ag= gross cross-sectional area
Tn

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Nominal Strength

Member with holes

Tensile stress adjacent to hole is about three
times the average stress on the net area

T T

favg on net section

fmax ≈ 3favg

(a) Elastic stresses

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Nominal Strength
Member with holes
When yield strain ϵy = Fy/ Es, stress Fy
becomes constant until all the fibers have
reached or exceeded ϵy

Tn Tn

Fy

(b) Nominal strength

condition

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Fu
Nominal Strength
Member with holes
When limit state is localized yielding
resulting in a fracture, the nominal
strength,
Tn= Fu Ae
Fu= specified minimum tensile strength
Ae= Effective area= U An
An= net area Ag=Gross area
An=Net area
U= Reduction coefficient
Ae=Effective area

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Net Area
Methods of cutting holes
• Punch Standard holes:
– Most common & least expensive
– Punch holes 1/16 in. (1.6 mm) larger
than the diameter of the rivet or bolt
– Punching operation damages metal at
the edge of the hole
– Extent of the damage is limited to a
radial distance of 1/32 in. (0.8 mm)
around the whole

de = dh + 1/16” = (db + 1/16) + 1/16”

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Net Area
Methods of cutting holes
• Subpunching holes:
– More expensive but gives accurate
alignment
– Subpunch 3/16 in. (4.8 mm) diameter
undersize
– Ream the holes to its final size after
members being joined are assembled
– Produce better strength but ignore it
when designing

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Net Area
Methods of cutting holes
• Drilling holes:
– Drill holes to a diameter of the
bolt or rivet plus 1/32 in. (0.8
mm).
– Used for thick members
– Most expensive

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Net Area: Example

What is the net area An for the tension member shown in
the figure below ?
1 3
Plate ×4 Standard hole for a in diam bolt
4 4

T T

Solution: Ag = 4 (0.25)= 1.0 sq in.

3 1 1 7
Width to be deducted for hole = + + = in.
4 16 16 8
An = Ag – (width for whole) (thickness of plate)
= 1.0- 0.875 (0.25) = 0.78 sq in.

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Effects of staggered holes on net

area
Failure line
• Multiple failure line may exist if holes are not
lined up transverse to the loading direction
• The controlling failure line gives the largest
stress on an effective area

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Effects of staggered holes on net area

Failure line
• The failure line is along the section A-B.

T T

B
(a)
Figure: Paths of failure on net section
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Effects of staggered holes on net area

Failure line
• Two lines of staggered holes
• To determine the controlling section A-B & A-C must
be analyzed
p p A

Increase fracture length by

T g T
𝑆2
+
4𝑔
C B
p s
(b)
Figure: Paths of failure on net section
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Effects of staggered holes on net area

Net length
𝑆2
𝑆2
For staggered hole, the length correction will be used.
4𝑔 4𝑔
s= the stagger or spacing of adjacent holes parallel to the
loading direction
g= gage distance transverse to the loading direction

p p A

T g T

C B
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Effects of staggered holes on net area

Net length
1
Net length of A-B = length of (A-B) – (Width of hole +
16
in.)
Net length of A-C = length of (A-B) – 2(Width of hole +
1 𝑆2
in.) +
16 4𝑔

p p A

T g T

C B
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EXAMPLE-3.4.1
Determine the minimum net area of the plane shown in Fig.
3.4.1, assuming 15/16 in diam holes are located as shown.

1" 7 "
2 1 1"
P (A36)
8 8 4 L

2.5” A
12” 2.5” B
T
4” D C T

3”

Figure- 3.4.1

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EXAMPLE-3.4.1

Path AD (2 holes)
15 1
An=[ 12- 2( + )] 0.25 =2.50 sq in.
16 16

Path ABD (3 holes; 2 staggers)

15 1 2.125 2 2.125 2
An = 12 − 3 16
+ 16 + 4 2.5
+ 4 4
0.25 = 2.43 sq in

Path ABC (3 holes; 2 staggers)

15 1 2.125 2 1.875 2
An = 12 − 3 16
+ 16 + 4 2.5
+ 4 4
0.25 = 2.42 sq in
(Controls)

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Effects of staggered holes on net area

Angles
s2
For angles the gage length “g” for use in the must be
4g
obtained from the equation given below,
t t
g = ga - + gb - = ga + gb - t
2 2

CL of angle

t
A

ga t/2 B

CL of angle
t/2
gb
Figure: Gage dimensions for an angle
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Example 3.4.2
Determine the net area An for the angle given in
the Figure below if 15/16 -in.-diam holes are used.

1
L6 X 4 X
2
(𝐿152 X 102 X 12.7)*
1
2
2
1
2
4

1
2 3
2
* Legs & thickness in mm
Figure
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Example 3.4.2
For net area calculation the angle may be visualized as
being flattened into a plate as shown in the Fig. below.
𝐴 6" 𝑙𝑒𝑔

1
2 𝐵
6”-t/2
2
1∗
10”-t
4
4 𝐶 4”-t/2

3 3 4" 𝑙𝑒𝑔
1 1 1 1
*g+g1-t = 2 + 2 − = 4
2 4 2 4
Figure Angle with legs shown “flattened” into one plane

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Example 3.4.2 Ag = (10-0.5)*0.5 = 4.75 in2

𝑠2
𝐴𝑛 = 𝐴𝑔 − ∑ Dt + ∑ 𝑡
4𝑔
D is the width to be deducted for the hole.
Path AC:
15 1
An= 4.75 − 2 + 0.5 = 3.75 sq in
16 16
Path ABC:
15 1 32 32
𝐴𝑛 = 4.75 − 3 + 0.5 + + 0.5
16 16 4 2.5 4 4.25
= 3.96 sq in.

Smallest An= 3.75 sq in. (governs)

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Effective Net Area

According to AISC-D 3.3
Ae= U An
U= reduction coefficient
An= net area
For welded connection, An= Ag since
there is no hole

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Effective Net Area

According to AISC-Table D3.1,
Case 2, this equation will be used
for all tension members except
plates & HSS (hollow structural
sections)
𝑥
U= 1− ≤ 0.9
𝐿

𝑥 = distance from centroid of

element being connected
eccentrically to plane of load
transfer
L= length of connection in the
direction of loading
Source: AISC 360-05
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L =?

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Effective Net Area

Gusset plates Gusset plates
𝑥 𝑥
CG of angle Sym about CL
𝑥1

𝑥2

𝑥=[max( 𝑥1 , 𝑥 2)] C. G angles + plate

(a) (b)
Gusset plates
CL Sym

Figure: Eccentricity in
joints; determination of 𝑥
for computing U)
𝑥 𝑥
(c)
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Effective Net Area

Welded tension connection
• Load transmitted by longitudinal welds, or by
longitudinal welds in combination with transverse welds
(AISC Table D3.1, Case 2)
Ae = U An = U Ag

Source: AISC 360-05, Table D3.1, Case 2

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According to AISC-Table D3.1, Case

2, this equation will be used for all
tension members except plates & HSS
(hollow structural sections)
𝑥
U= 1−
𝐿
𝑥 = distance from centroid of element
being connected eccentrically to plane
of load transfer
L= length of connection in the
direction of loading

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Effective Net Area

Welded tension connection
• Load transmitted only to transverse welds
Ae = U An = Acon
Where Acon = area of directly connected elements. In this
case, the shear lag effect is approximated indirectly by using
the reduced area Acon

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Transverse weld

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Effective Net Area

l
Welded tension connection
• Load transmitted to a plate by longitudinal welds w
along both sides of the plate spaced apart such that
l≥w
Ae = U Ag l
l = length of weld
w = distance between longitudinal welds
U = 1.00 for l ≥ 2w
= 0.87 for 2 w > l ≥ 1.5w
= 0.75 for 1.5 w > l ≥ w

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EXAMPLE 3.5.1
Determine the reduction factor U to be applied in computing the effective
net area for a W14 X 82 section connected by plates at its two flanges, as
shown in the Fig. below. There are three bolts along each connection line

10.13’’
Shaded portion
𝑥 for 𝑥
equivalent to U= 1−
WT = 1.39’’ WT 7 X 41 𝐿

14.31’’

W14 X 82
3 3

Figure

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EXAMPLE 3.5.1
1.39
𝑈=1− = 0.77
6.0
According to AISC D3.1, case 7, U= 0.90 for
having flange width not less than two-thirds of the
depth

𝑏𝑓 𝑓𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑡ℎ 10.13

= = = 0.71 > 0.67
𝑑 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑡ℎ 14.31
U= 0.90

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Block Shear Strength

• Tearing limit state
• May control the strength of the tension member or c d
the tension region at the end connection of a beam
• Shear failure and Tension failure b a
• Welded connection: Shear failure along the
periphery of the weld
• Rupture along b-c plane
• Either yielding or rupture along a-b plane
• Combination of shear and tension tearing failures
control the design of bolted end connection to the
thin webs of the beam
• Adding s2/4g on staggered bolts may be
unconservative

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Block Shear Strength Tension

b c
e f
a
Gusset plate Shear
a d
Shaded area
may tear out (b) Large tension, small shear
c
b
T

b Tension
c
T e f
(a) Failure by tearing out
Shear

a d
(c) Large shear, small tension

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Block Shear Strength

• Failure mode (AISC-J4.3)
1. Rupture along the tensile plane accompanied by
yielding along the shear planes
2. Rupture along the shear planes accompanied by
rupture along the tensile plane

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Block Shear Strength

• Shear yielding- tension rupture Gross – yield
(0.6 Fy Agv < 0.6 Fu Anv) Net - fractrue
Tn= 0.6 Fy Agv + Fu Ubs Ant
• Shear Fracture- Tension rupture
(0.6 Fy Agv ≥ 0.6 Fu Anv)
Tn= 0.6 Fu Anv + Fu Ubs Ant
Where, Agv = Gross area acted upon by shear
Ant = net area acted upon by tension
Anv = net area acted upon by shear
Fu = specified (ASTM) minimum tensile strength
Fy= specified (ASTM) minimum yield stress
Ubs= 1 (tension stress uniform)
Ubs= 0.5 (tension non-uniform)

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Load Transfer at Connection

• Holes for rivets or bolts transfer load from one
tension member to another
• Assume each equal size fastener transfers an
equal share of the load whenever the fasteners are
arranged symmetrically with respect to the
centroidal axis

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Example 3.8.1
Calculate the governing net area for plate A of the single lap joint in the figure below
and show free-body diagrams of the plate A with sections taken through each line of
holes. Assume that plate B has adequate net area and does not control the strength T

1
1 4
2 5 7
1 PL s in. thick, diam
8 8
connectors in standard
2 holes
12 3 T
2
1
AISC J3.10 1 Plate A
1 4 Plate B
2 3 @2” = 6”
Figure: Single connection

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Example 3.8.1
4 1 1 1
T/10
T/10
T/10 T/10
2T/10 T/10 5T/10 T/10 T 7T/10 T
T
T/10 T/10 T/10 T/10
T/10 T/10
T/10 T/10 1 T/10 T/10
4 1 1 1
(a) (b)
(c)
T T

1
(d)
Figure: Load distribution in plate A

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Example 3.8.1
1
Deduction in width for 1 hole = 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚 𝑜𝑓 ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 + 𝑖𝑛.
16
1
= 𝐷𝑖𝑎𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑓𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑛𝑒𝑟 + 𝑖𝑛.
8
7 1
= + = 1 𝑖𝑛.
8 8
5
Net area (section 1-1) = 15 − 3 = 7.50 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛.
8
On which 100% of T acts
Net area (staggered path 1-2-3-2-1);
5 2 2
= 15 − 4 + 2 = 7.08 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛.
8 4 3
On which 100% of T also acts.
5 22
Net area (staggered path 1-2-2-1): = 15 − 4 + 2 =
8 4 3
7.29 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛.
An= 7.08 sq in
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Design methods

• ASD = Allowable Stress Design

• LRFD = Load and Resistance
Factor Design

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Tension member
design

Design tensile strength = ?

Design rupture strength = ?

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Load & Resistance Factor Design

ΦRn ≥ [Ru = ∑ 𝜸iQi ]
Φ = resistance factor (strength reduction factor)
Rn= Nominal strength (resistance)
Ru= factored service load
𝜸i = overload factors (ASCE 7)
Qi = service loads (such as dead loads, wind
load, earthquake load) or load effects (such as
bending moment, shear, axial force, and
torsional moment resulting from various load)

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Load & Resistance Factor Design

ΦtTn ≥ Tu
Φt = resistance factor tension member strength
Tn= Nominal strength of a tension member (see
AISC-Chapter D)
ΦtTn= Design strength of tension member
Tu= factored load on a tension member (critical
load combination as per ASCE 7)

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Load & Resistance Factor Design

ΦtTn = Φt Fy Ag = 0.90 Fy Ag

Or

ΦtTn = Φt Fu Ae = 0.75 Fu Ae

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Load & Resistance Factor Design

1. Shear yielding- tension fracture ( 0.6 Fy Agv ≤ 0.6 Fu Anv)
ΦtTn= Φt (0.6 FyAgv + FuUbsAnt)= 0.75 (0.6 FyAgv+ FuUbsAnt)
Or
2. Shear fracture- tension fracture ( 0.6 Fy Agv > 0.6 Fu Anv)
ΦtTn= Φt (0.6 Fy Anv + FuUbsAnt)= 0.75 (0.6 Fu Anv+ FuUbs Ant)
Where, Agv = gross area acted upon by shear
Ant= net area acted upon by tension
Anv= net area acted upon by shear
Fu= specified (ASTM) minimum tensile strength
Fy= specified (ASTM) minimum yield stress
Φt= 0.75

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EXA-3.9.1
Determine the service load capacity in tension for an
1
L6 X 4 X of A572 Grade 50 steel connected with 7/8
2
in. – diam bolts in standard holes as shown in Fig.
below. Use AISC Load and Resistance factor Design,
and assume the live load to dead load ratio is 3.0

7 spa @ 2” =1’-2”
2”
1
Detail A 1
T 1"
T 2
4
1"
2
1 1 2 2 1
L6 X 4 X
2
Gusset plate Detail A
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EXA-3.9.1
For section 1-1,
7 1
An= Ag- 1 hole = 4.75 − + 0.50 = 4.25 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛.
8 8
For section 1-2,
An = Ag- 2 holes + (s2/4g)t
7 1
= 4.75- 2 + 0.50 = 4.25 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛
8 8
For section 1-2
7 1
An= Ag- 2 holes + (s2/4g)t= 4.75- 2 + 0.5 =
8 8
3.95 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛.
ΦtTn =ΦtFyAg= 0.90 (50)(4.75)= 214 kips

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EXA-3.9.1
𝑥 0.987
U= 1- = 1 − = 0.93
𝐿 14
𝐴𝑒 = 𝐴𝑛𝑈 = 3.95 0.93 = 3.67 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛
ΦtTn =ΦtFuAe= 0.75 (65) 3.67=179 kips
ΦtTn=179 kips

Tu= ∑ 𝜸iQi = 1.2D+1.6 L+0.5 (Lr or S or R)

ΦtTn= 1.2 D + 1.6L= 1.2D + 1.6 (3D)= 6.0D
179= 6.0 D
D=29.8
L= 3D= 3(29.8)=89.4 kips
T= D+L=29.8+89.4=119 kips

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Tension Rods
• Secondary members
• Used where the required strength is small
• Sag rod
• Vertical ties
• Hangers: Tie rods

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Tension Rods
Roof Truss
Roof Truss

Sag rods

Purlin
Purlin
Purlins Ridge
Sag rod

Roof
Elevation Top view
truss
view
(a) Roof Truss

Figure: Use of tension rods

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Tension Rods

A
Tie rods Girts
Girt
Tie rods

Tie rod
Balcony
Col. Girt
A Section A-A
(c)
(b) Wall system

Figure: Use of tension rods

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Example 3.10.1
Problem: select the diameter for a threaded rod of A36
(Fy=36ksi, Fu=58ksi) steel to carry an axial tension of 6 kips
live load and 3 kips dead load. Use LRFD method.

Solution:
AISC-J3.6 (Table J3.2)
ΦtTn= 0.75 AbFn=0.75 Ab (0.75Fu)
Tu= 1.2D+ 1.6 L =1.2 (3)+1.6(6)= 13.2 kips
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝛷𝑡𝑇𝑛 13.2
Required Ab = = = 0.40 𝑠𝑞 𝑖𝑛
0.75 (0.75 𝐹𝑢) 0.75 (0.75 𝑋 58)
Use 3/4 –in.-diam rod (10 threads per inch) (Ab=0.442 sq in)

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Allowable strength design

Φ Rn Rn
[ 𝜸 = Ω ] ≥ ∑Qi
Tn = F y A g
Tn = F u A e

Ag = gross cross-sectional area

Ae = effective net area = Un
U= reduction coefficient

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Allowable strength design

T F Ag Fy Ag
[ n = y = ] ≥ ∑Qi
Ω Ω 1.67

T F Ae F Ae
[ Ωn = u Ω = u 2 ] ≥ ∑Qi
Tn 0.6Fy Agv + UbsFuAnt 0.6Fy Agv + UbsFuAnt
= =
Ω Ω 2.00

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3.11.1
1
Determine the service load capacity in tension for an L6 X 4 X 2 of A572 Grade 50
steel connected with 7/8 in. – diam bolts in standard holes as shown in Fig. below.
Assume the live load to dead load ratio is 3.0. use ASD method

T
(a) Ωn = FyAg/ Ω = 50 (4.75)/1.67= 142 kips
T
(b) Ωn = FuAe/ Ω= 65(3.67)/2 =119 kips (Governs)

∑Qi = D+L= D+3D= 4.0 D

119 = 4D
D = 29.8 kips
L = 3D = 3 (29.8) = 89 kips

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KL/r of tension
member

𝑘𝐿
< 300
𝑟

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Pin connected
tension member

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Eyebar dimensional
requirements

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Dimensional requirements
for pin connected
members

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END

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