Design of Tension Members

• To avoid yielding: Ag  Pu / 0.9 Fy

• To avoid fracture: Ae  Pu / 0.75 Fu Or :
An  Pu / 0.75 Fu U
• where Pu is the sum of the factored loads.
 Design of Tension Members
• If the axial load in a slender tension member is
removed and small transverse loads are applied,
undesirable vibrations or deflections may occur.
Thus AISC recommends:
• r  L/300 ( not for cables or rods)
• where r is the minimum radius of gyration of the
cross section and L is the length of the member.
 Threaded Rods and Cables
• When slenderness is not a consideration,
circular rods and cables are often used
(hangers, suspended bridges).
• Rods are solid and cables are made from
individual strands wound together.
• Threading the end of a rod reduces the cross
sectional area (upset end prevents such
reduction, but is expensive).
 Threaded Rods and Cables
• t Pn = 0.75 (0.75 Ab Fu)
• Ab = nominal (unthreaded) area
• It is common to use a min diameter of 5/8
in. for rods.
 Threaded Rods and Cables
• A strand consists of individual wires wound
helically around a centrl core.
• A wire rope is made of several strands laid
helically around a core.
 Tension Members in Roof Truss

• Trusses are used where the cost and weight

of a beam could be prohibitive (long spans).
• A truss may be thought of as a deep beam
with much of the web removed.
• Tension members in roof trusses include
some truss members and sag rods.
 Sag Rods

• Sag rods are used to provide lateral support

for the purlins (to prevent sag in direction
parallel to a sloping roof due to vertical
applied loads).
• They are designed to support the component
of roof loads parallel to the roof.
 Sag Rods
• Each segment between purlins is assumed
to support everything below it; thus the top
rod is designed for the load on the roof area
tributary to the rod, from the heel of the
truss to the peak.
 Sag Rods
• The tie rod between ridge purlins must
resist the load from all of the sag rods on
either side.