According To AISC-D1, There Is No Maximum Slenderness Limit For Design of Members in Tension

Limit on Slenderness Ratio
According to AISC–D1, there is no maximum

slenderness limit for design of members in tension.
Even though stability is not a criterion in the design

of tension members, it is still preferable to limit
their length in order to prevent a member from
becoming too flexible both during erection and
final use of the structure.
Two main factors controlling slenderness ratio in

tensions members are:
3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 1
1. Tension members that are too long may sag
excessively due to their own weight.
2. They may vibrate when subjected to wind forces

as in an open truss or when supporting vibrating
equipment such as fans or compressors.
For members whose design is based on tensile

force, the slenderness ratio L/r preferably should
not exceed 300 where L is the actual and not the
effective length.

The above limitation does not apply to rods in
tension where L/d may be kept up to 500
(corresponding to slenderness ratio less than or
equal to 2000).
However, this second value is not an AISC limit.

The advisory upper limits on slenderness
contained in AISC-D1 are based on professional
judgment and practical considerations of
economics, ease of handling and care required to
minimized inadvertent damage during
fabrication, transport and erection.
Out-of-straightness within reasonable tolerances

does not affect the strength of the tension
member.

In the above mentioned reference, AISC-D1,
AISC means that the Specification is given by
American Institute of Steel Construction, D is the
chapter number and 1 is the article number of
that chapter.
Design for Repeated Loading /

Fatigue Strength
Repeated loading and unloading may result in
failure at a stress level lesser than the yield stress.
The term fatigue means reduction in material
strength and hence failure under cyclic loading.
The effect is more pronounced when repeating

loads have tensile extreme value.
The fatigue strength is mainly governed by three

variables:
1. The number of cycles of loading.
2. The presence and initial size of any microscopic

discontinuities/flaws within the metal structure.
3. The range of variation of service load stress.
This range is calculated by taking the difference

between the maximum and minimum stress
during the history of loading.
If stress-reversal occurs, the range becomes equal

to the sum of the maximum magnitude of tension
and maximum magnitude of compression in a
cycle and the condition becomes more critical.

According to AISC, the stress range is defined
as the magnitude of the change in stress due to
application or removal of the service live load.
The stress range will be equal to sum of

magnitudes of two extreme stresses if these are
acting in the opposite sense (like compressive
and tensile).

In Appendix-3, AISC Specifications prescribe no
fatigue effect for fewer than 20,000 cycles, which
is approximately two applications a day for 25
years.
Since, most loadings in buildings are in this

category, fatigue is generally not considered.

Design of Tension Members
Following notations are used in the design:
Tu = factored or ultimate tensile load
Øt = resistance factor related with the tensile
strength, 0.9 when failure occurs by
yielding and 0.75 when failure occurs
by fracture
Tn = nominal strength of a tension member
Øt Tn = expected strength to be used in design
Design Equation Tu ≤ Øt Tn (LRFD)

The design strength Øt Tn according to AISC-D2 is
the smaller of that based on:
1. Yielding in the gross section (Yielding limit state)
Tn=Fy Ag and Øt=0.90 (LRFD)
For LRFD design,
Tu = Øt Tn= Øt Fy Ag / 1000
(A ) g req =
Tu (in kN ) ×1000
0.9 Fy
2. Fracture in the net section (Fracture Limit State)
Tn=Fu Ae and Øt=0.75 (LRFD)
For LRFD design,
Tu = Øt Tn= Øt Fu U R Ag /1000
(A )g req =
Tu (in kN ) ×1000
0.75Fu ×U × R
R = assumed ratio of A n and A g

Yielding in the net section is not a failure but
yielding on the gross section is a failure.
The reason is that the net section is limited in

length and hence elongation due to yielding may
not be excessive.
However, gross area is present nearly all along

the length and the elongation limit state may be
exceeded.

Tearing Failure at Bolt Holes/Block Shear Failure Mode
In block shear failure, a part of the failure plane is

transverse subjected to tension while the other part
is longitudinal subjected to shear.
In Figure 2.13 (a), ab part is subjected to shear and

bc part is having tension.
The failure plane abcd, as shown in Figure 2.13 (b)

and (c), consists of a plane subjected to tension
denoted by bc and two planes subjected to shear
shown as ab and dc.
The tearing out failure is either a fracture failure
on both the tension resisting and shear resisting
sections together or shear yielding combined with
tension fracture failure.
The nominal strength for block shear is the lesser

of the following two cases because only that will
cause the final separation of the block from the
member.
Rn = lesser of 1) 0.6Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant
3/17/21
2) 0.6F A + Ubs Fu Ant
y Ahmad
Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid gv Siddiqi 18
Nominal tension rupture strength = Ubs Fu Ant
Nominal shear rupture strength = 0.6 Fu Anv
Shear yielding strength = 0.6 Fy Agv

0.6Fy yield shear strength = τy

0.6Fu ultimate shear strength = τu
Ø = 0.75 (LRFD)
Agv = gross area subjected to shear
Anv = net area in shear
Ubs = tensile rupture strength reduction factor
(subscript ‘bs’ stands for block shear)
= 1.0 when tensile stress is uniform, such
as in all tensile members and gusset
plates and single row beam end
connections
= 0.5 when tensile stress is not uniform
such as for multiple row beam end
connections

Note:
For welded connections, welded length provided

longitudinally multiplied with the thickness of
the connected leg becomes the area in shear.
Area in tension is considered as the transverse

area of the connected leg alone.
The requirements for pin-connected members are

separately given in AISC-D5.

Example 2.4:
Using LRFD procedure, investigate the shear
rupture failure mode for the angle L102 x 102 x
6.4 attached with three 20mm diameter rivets to
a 10mm gusset plate, as shown in the figure
2.14. The material is A36 steel.

Solution:
Capacity of section:
Yielding of gross section

t Fy Ag  0.9  250 1250 1000  281.25 kN
Fracture in net section
t Fu Ae  0.75  400  0.6  1250  (20  3)(6.4) 1000
 198.5 kN
 tTn  198.5 kN

Block Shear Failure Along Path a-b-c:
Agv = (76+76+38)(6.4) = 1216 mm2
Anv = 1216 - (2.5)(20+3)(6.4) = 848 mm2
Ant = 243.2 - (0.5)(20+3)(6.4) = 169.6 mm2
Ubs =1
Ø Rn = lesser of
1) 0.6Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant
= 0.75/1000 [0.6 x 400 x 848 + 1.0 x 400 x 169.6]
= 203.52 kN
2) 0.6Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant
= 0.75/1000 [0.6 x 250 x 1216 + 1.0 x 400 x 169.6]
= 187.68 kN
Ø Rn = 187.68 kN
Ø Rn ≤ Øt Tn (187.68 kN ≤ 198.5 kN)

Hence, block shear failure is the governing limit state
and factored capacity of the member is reduced from
198.5 kN to 187.68 kN due to it.
How can we increase the block
shear failure strength?

Strength of Threaded Parts
A certain reduction in strength of bolts occurs
due to threads, compared with solid rods, because
of the reduction in net area of the rod.
However, for convenience, this reduction is
included in the strength and then full area of rod
is considered to calculate the load carrying
capacity.
The maximum slenderness ratio of threaded rods
should preferably be 2000 (corresponding to L/D
ratio of 500).
Strength of Threaded Parts
Nominal tensile strength, Rn = F n Ab
LRFD design tensile strength = ØRn, Ø=0.75

where
Ab = nominal unthreaded body area of bolt gross
area or area corresponding to outer
diameter of bolt
Fn = nominal tensile strength
= 310 MPa for A307 bolts
= 620 MPa for A325M bolts
= 780 MPa for A490M bolts
The tensile strength of connecting elements is

taken as Rn = Fu Ae, where for bolted splice plates,
Ae = An ≤ 0.85Ag.

Design Procedure/Design Flowchart
Known Data
Service or working loads, TD, TL, and TW, etc. and
length of member, L
Find factored tension (Tu) in LRFD method using

load combinations.
For example, Tu=1.2TD+1.6TL for gravity loads
alone

Find Areq as the bigger out of that required for
yielding in the gross section and fracture in the
net section.
Tu(in kN)  1000
Areq for riveted members  larger of
0.90 Fy
Tu(in kN)  1000
and
0.75Fu  U  R
where any reasonably assumed value of U may

be considered and R is the assumed ratio of An
with respect to Ag.
Tu (in kN)
Areq for welded members   1000 (LRFD)
0.90 Fy
Find Minimum Connected Leg Width (is always

required for riveted connections, but also
preferred for the welded case, bmin in any case
should be greater than or equal to 50mm)
b min  L/40 for L  2 to 3 m
or  3.25d  26 ≥ 50 mm
where d = diameter of rivet which may be

assumed to be 15mm if not known.
Selection of Trial Section:
It depends on the following four criteria:
1. Asel ≥ Areq.
2. Selection should be of minimum weight and
smaller size.
3. Connected leg width ≥ bmin.
4. Compatibility of connections with other
members is to be provided.

Check Tensile Capacity:
Find actual values of U and An if rivet pattern
and diameter of rivets are known from
connection design.
(LRFD)
Yielding of gross section tTn  0.90Fy Asel 1000  Tu (OK)
Fracture in net section tTn  0.75FuUAn 1000  Tu (OK)
If anyone of the above conditions is not satisfied,

revise the section.

Calculate rx, ry, and rz for built-up sections or
directly note these values from tables for hot
rolled sections.
Find rmin = smallest of rx, ry, and rz
Check Max. Preferable

L r Slenderness
 300 Ratio:
(OK)
min
otherwise, make the decision t hat whether the

preferable limit is to be exceeded.
Check Fatigue Strength:
If loading cycles > 20,000  increase the section
accordingly
Design Lacing:
Decide spacing of stay plates or arrangements
and sizes of lacing in case of built-up sections.
For finding spacing of stay plates, maximum
slenderness ratio of individual elements may be
equated to the max. allowed slenderness ratio
that is 300.
End Tie Plate Size:
Minimum length = 2/3 s
Minimum thickness = s / 50
where s is the distance between the lines of
welds or fasteners on two components of built-
up section. The longitudinal spacing of welds or
fasteners at tie plates should not exceed 150mm.
Design the Connections:

Check Block Shear Failure:
The block shear strength must be checked at the
connection, if the connection details are
available.
Write the final selection very clearly

Analysis of a Tension Member
The term analysis means to calculate the
maximum tensile load that may be applied on a
particular member whose dimensions and sizes
are already known.
The same flow chart as given above may be used

for the analysis if the given section is taken as
trial section, leaving the initial steps to arrive at
this trial section.

Example 2.5:
Calculate the factored load capacity of a double
channel section member of A36 steel according
to AISC LRFD Specification.
The member is 5m long and consists of
2Cs 200 x 20.5, with flanges turned out and with
clear gap of 100mm.
Assume that there can be as many as two 15mm
rivets at any one cross-section (one in each
flange). U ≈ 0.80.
Solution:
Ag  2  2610  5220 mm 2 ; U  0.80;
L  5 m; clear gap  100 mm
An  Ag  n d  3 t f
 2   2610  215  3  9.9
 4507.2 mm 2

Solution:
tTn  lesser of
t Fy Ag 0.90  250  2  2610
1)   1174.5 kN
1000 1000
t FuUAn 0.75  400  0.80  4507.2
2)   1081.7 kN
1000 1000
tTn  1081.7 kN
I y about individual centroid  63.7  104 mm 4

x  14 mm
Solution:
I y built - up  63.7  10  2610 50  14   2
    
4 2
 2265.5104 mm 4
2265.510 4
ry   65.88 mm
2  2610
rmin  ry  65.88 mm
L 5000
  75.9  300 (Ok)
r 65.88

Solution:
b f  59 mm, b min  2.5d  23  60.5 mm (NG)
Loading cycles are assumed to be less than

20,000 and hence no reduction in strength due to
fatigue is considered.
The factored tensile capacity is 1081.7 kN, but

the connecting width criterion is not satisfied.

Example 2.6:
Select a W-section to resist a dead tensile load of
1020 kN and a service tensile live load of 680
kN using A36 steel and AISC LRFD
Specification.
The member is to be 9m long and is to be
connected through its flanges only. Assume that
there can be as many as four 20mm rivets at any
one cross-section (two in each flange). Fasteners
per line are at least three and bf of the W-section
may be assumed to be lesser than 2/3 d for the
initial calculation of shear lag factor.
Solution:
TD = 1020 kN ; TL = 680 kN ; L = 9m
Tu = 1.2 TD + 1.6 TL = 2312 kN
Tu 1000 2312  1000

 0.90F   10,276 mm 2
 y 0.9  250

Areq= larger of  Tu 1000 23121000
  10,667 mm2
 0.75F U  R 0.75 400 0.852
 u
 10,667 mm2
bmin = 3.25d + 26 = 3.25 (20) + 26 ≈ 91 mm
(the web does not have bolts)
Approximate minimum flange width required
= 91 x 2 = 182 mm
Options for selection of section:

W200 x 86A = 11,000 mm2
W310 x 86A = 11,000 mm2 Weight is relatively lesser
for this Section but the
W410 x 85A = 10,800 mm2
3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi
depth is excessively Large.
50
Trial Section: W200 x 86
A = 11,000 mm2
bf = 209 mm
tf = 20.6 mm
rx = 92.7 mm
ry = 53.3 mm
tw = 13 mm
209
Projected flange   104.5 mm  bmin (OK)
2
Capacity check:
In the absence of the detailed connection detail,
the AISC commentary and the table in Design
Aids gives the efficiency factor as U = 0.9
An  Ag  n(d  3)t f
An  11,000  4( 20  3 )( 20.6 )  9 ,105mm 2
tTn  0.90 Fy Asel 1000  0.9  250  11,000 1000

 2,475 kN  Tu
tTn  0.75 FuUAn 1000  0.75  400  0.9  9,105 1000
3/17/21  2,458 kN  TSteelu Structures
(OK) by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 52
rmin = smaller of rx and ry
= 53.3 mm
9 1000
L rmin   168.8  300 (OK)
53.3
Loading cycles are assumed lesser than 20,000,

if not given.
Design connections: Block shear cannot be checked
until the connection design is available.
Final Selection: W200 x 86

General Considerations for Selection
of Sections
The type of connections used for the structure
often affects the choice of member type.
It is very difficult to apply bolts/rivets between
some steel sections and the required gusset
plates, while the same sections may easily be
welded to the gusset plates.
For example, plate-members are to be welded to
other members in most the cases when the two
plates are lying perpendicular to each other.
The designer should select members such that
connections to other members in the structure
are easy.
More parts of the section as for as possible are
connected at the end to improve joint efficiency
and to obtain a compact arrangement.
Most commonly, W-sections have gusset plates
on both sides of the section connected with the
flanges.
Filler plates are to be used if depths of the
joining sections are different.
Gusset plates present within the two angles
connect double angles.
Sometimes zero-force members are required for
internal stability of frame, for minor loads like
fans, false ceiling, etc., for future changes in
loading and for temperature effects.
These may also be used to reduce effective
lengths of other members.
Section is selected for these members keeping in
view the following:

1. Preferably slenderness ratio equal to limiting
maximum value for compression members is
maintained, which is equal to 200.
Using this criterion if the size becomes
excessive, maximum slenderness ratio of tension
members may be provided.
However, if still the section is excessively
bigger, a section comparable with other truss
members may be used.
2. Connected legs should have a minimum width
for proper connection.
3. If the zero force member is a top or bottom
chord member, continue the same section as
present in the adjoining panel.
Member under Stress Reversal
The maximum factored tensile and compressive
forces acting at different time instants due to
different load combinations may be represented
by the following notation:
Tu = magnitude of ultimate tensile factored force.
Pu = magnitude of factored compressive force.
There are four possibilities of design based on
the relative magnitude of Tu and Pu, as explained
in the following cases:
CASE 1
The tensile force is less than the compressive
force and the connections are to be made using
welding, then the tensile force may be neglected.
Similarly, if the tensile force in case of
riveted/bolted connections is less than 75% of
the compressive force, it may be neglected. The
member is designed as a pure compression
member.
CASE 2
The compressive force is less than 10% of the

tensile force and the maximum slenderness ratio
is 300, the compressive force may be neglected
and the member is designed as a pure tension
member.

CASE 3
Tu > ( 1 + 0.015 L2 ) Pu
where L = length of member in meters.

The member may be designed for a tension of
Tu. However, during the capacity check, it is
made sure that the compression capacity ØcPn is
greater than or equal to Pu.
It is better to keep the slenderness ratio up to 200

for these members.
CASE 4
If the conditions of Case-1 through Case-3 are
not satisfied, the section is to be designed for Pu
as a compression member.
It is checked later that ØtTn is greater than or
equal to Tu.
Note:
The factored force may be replaced with the
service force in case of allowable stress design.
Example 2.7:
Design member of a roof truss using LRFD
procedure, carrying a factored compressive force
of 450 kN and a factored tensile force of 840 kN;
L = 6 m.
Built-up section consisting of two channels

back-to-back with a total width of 300 mm is to
be used. Check the member under stress
reversal. Welded connections are to be used.

Solution:
Pu = 450 kN
Tu = 840 kN
( 1 + 0.015 L2 ) Pu = (1.54)(450)
= 693 kN
Tu > ( 1 + 0.015 L2 ) Pu
840 kN > 693 kN
► Design first as a tension member and then check
for Pu. (CASE-3)
For welded connections,
Tu 1000 840  1000
Areq    3733 mm 2
0.9 Fy 0.9  250
3733
Areq for one channel   1867 mm 2
2
bmin = 50 mm for welded connections
Options Available:
1. C 150 x 15.6
3/17/21 2. MC 310 x 15.8
Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 66
Trial Section: 2Cs 150 x 15.6
A = 1990 mm2
d = 152 mm
bf = 51 mm c.g.
Ix = 633 x 104 mm4
Iy = 36.0 x 104 mm4
x = 12.7 mm
rx = 56.4 mm
x
ry = 13.4 mm Fig. 2.14 Location of centroid
for a channel section
51
Check for bmin
Both ‘d’ and bf > bmin (OK) 152
Capacity Check:
tTn  0.9 FyAsel 300
 0.9  250  (2 1990) 1000  895.5 kN  Tu (OK)

 tTn  0.75FuUAn
 0.75  400 1.0  (2 1990) 1000  1194 kN  Tu (OK)
Approximate rx & ry: (using Design Aids)

rx =0.36 h=0.36(152)=55mm
ry =0.60 b=0.60(300-2 x 51)=118.8mm
Exact rx & ry: (preferable and must for final trial)
rx =56.4mm as for a single channel section
Iy =2 x 36.0 x 104 + 2 x 1990(150-51 + 12.7)2
=5038 x 104 mm4
4
5038 ×10
r y= =112 .5 mm
2×1990
51
rmin = 56.4 mm 152

L 6 1000
  106.4  200 OK
rmin 56.4 300
Design of Lacing:
Check for Compressive Strength:

These parts will be completed after doing the
next chapter.
Loading cycles are assumed to be less than 20,000
Design Connections
Assignment: PROBLEMS of Chapter 02
Submission Time: After 14 Days

Thank you

According To AISC-D1, There Is No Maximum Slenderness Limit For Design of Members in Tension

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

According To AISC-D1, There Is No Maximum Slenderness Limit For Design of Members in Tension

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Limit on Slenderness Ratio

According to AISC–D1, there is no maximum

Even though stability is not a criterion in the design

Two main factors controlling slenderness ratio in

2. They may vibrate when subjected to wind forces

For members whose design is based on tensile

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 4

However, this second value is not an AISC limit.

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 5

Out-of-straightness within reasonable tolerances

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 6

Design for Repeated Loading /

The effect is more pronounced when repeating

The fatigue strength is mainly governed by three

1. The number of cycles of loading.

2. The presence and initial size of any microscopic

This range is calculated by taking the difference

If stress-reversal occurs, the range becomes equal

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 9

The stress range will be equal to sum of

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 10

Since, most loadings in buildings are in this

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 11

Design Equation Tu ≤ Øt Tn (LRFD)

1. Yielding in the gross section (Yielding limit state)

Tn=Fy Ag and Øt=0.90 (LRFD)

For LRFD design,

Tn=Fu Ae and Øt=0.75 (LRFD)

For LRFD design,

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 14

The reason is that the net section is limited in

However, gross area is present nearly all along

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 15

In block shear failure, a part of the failure plane is

In Figure 2.13 (a), ab part is subjected to shear and

The failure plane abcd, as shown in Figure 2.13 (b)

The nominal strength for block shear is the lesser

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 20

For welded connections, welded length provided

Area in tension is considered as the transverse

The requirements for pin-connected members are

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 21

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 24

Yielding of gross section

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 26

Ø Rn ≤ Øt Tn (187.68 kN ≤ 198.5 kN)

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 29

LRFD design tensile strength = ØRn, Ø=0.75

The tensile strength of connecting elements is

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 32

Find factored tension (Tu) in LRFD method using

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 33

where any reasonably assumed value of U may

Find Minimum Connected Leg Width (is always

where d = diameter of rivet which may be

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 36

If anyone of the above conditions is not satisfied,

3/17/21 Steel Structures by Dr. Zahid Ahmad Siddiqi 37

Find rmin = smallest of rx, ry, and rz

Check Max. Preferable

otherwise, make the decision t hat whether the

Design the Connections: