2 AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS

 Guidelines for design of these members are given in

Section 4.6 of BS5950
 The Tension Capacity is given by:

Pt  Ae  p y
Where:
Ae = Sum of the effective net areas ae of all elements
of the cross-section as determined from 3.4.3 but not
more than 12. times the total net area
py= Design strength as determined from 3.1.1
Table 9
BS5950
 The Design Strength (3.1.1)
 Table 9 of BS 5950-1:2000
Table 9: Design strength py
Steel Grade Thickness, Sections, Plates
Less than or and Hollow
Equal to Sections
mm N/mm2
16 275
S275 40 265
63 255
2.1 AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS
(cont.): The Effective Net Area.

 In 3.4.3 The effective net area (Ae ) of each

element with bolt holes is given by:
Ae = Ke x Net area but < gross Area where Ke
is a factor determined by the grade of the
steel
 The Net area is the gross area less

deductions for fastener holes.

 Deductions for holes are covered in 3.4.4
 AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS
(cont.): The Effective Area.
 Single angles, channels and T-Sections Ref. 4.6.3.1:
 tension capacity is given by

For Bolted connections: P  p ( Ae 0.5a 2 )

t y
For welded connections: P  p ( Ae 0.3a 2 )
t y
 Where a2  Ag a1

Ag = Gross sectional area see 3.4.1

a1 = Gross sectional Area of the connected element
 AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS
(cont.): The Effective Area.
 Double angles, channels and T-Sections Ref. 4.6.3.2:
 tension capacity is given by

For Bolted connections: P  p ( Ae 0.25a 2 )

t y
For welded connections: P  p ( Ae 0.15a 2 )
t y
 Where a2  Ag a1

Ag = Gross sectional area see 3.4.1

a1 = Gross sectional Area of the connected element
AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS
(cont.): The Net Area. (Ref 3.4.2)

 The Net area is the gross area less

deductions for bolt holes given in 3.4.4.

 Two cases must be considered namely:

1. The Holes not staggered (3.4.4.2)
2. Staggered holes (3.4.4.3)
Holes Not Staggered (3.4.4.2 )
 The Net Area is given by:

Anet  Agross  n  t  
 Where
 n = Maximum No of Holes in a cross section.
 t = Thickness of the member
  = diameter of the hole.
Staggered Holes (see 3.4.3 )
 Where the holes are staggered the area to be
deducted should be the greater of:
a. The deduction for Non staggered Holes
given in 3.4.4.2

b. the sum of the sectional areas of a chain of holes

lying on any zig –zag line extending progressively
across the member or element less an allowance of
0.25 s2t/g for each gauge space g that it traverses
diagonally where:
Staggered Holes (see 3.4.4.3 )
 g= the gauge spacing perpendicular to the direction
of direct stress, between the centers of two
consecutive holes in the chain
s = The Staggered pitch, i.e the spacing parallel to
the direction of direct stress between the centers of
the same two holes
t = Thickness of the holed material
Fig. 3 BS5950: 2000
Fig. 4 BS 5950
 Staggered Holes (see 3.4.4.3 )

Z ig z a g lin e o f f a ilu re S tra ig h t lin e o f F a ilu re )

(3 . 4 . 4 . 3 ) (S e c t io n 3 . 4 . 4 . 2 )

F g F
g

s s s
s