|hese are found predominantly as members of plane or space

trusses (2D & 3D), as members in transmission towers and as wind

bracing (single or double) for single story or high rise steel structures.
Among the common shapes used as tension members:

Round bar Flat bar Angle Double angle Starred angle

Channel Double Latticed W-section S-section Built-up box

channel channels (wide-flange) (American sections
Standard)






  
   |

|he strength of a tension member is controlled by the lowest
of the following limiting states:

| |

Net Gross
Area (An) Area (Ag)




 
    
Fn = Fy Ag
       
      
Fn = Fu Ae
Where Ae = effective net Area = UAn
U = Reduction Coefficient. |
C) 
     
   

|
 hole is drilled (or punched) by 1/16 inch greater then
the normal diameter of the fastener (rivet or bolt). Hole
punching causes some damage to the edges of the
hole to the amount of 1/32 inch from each side.

|hus the normal hole diameter




· · ·

  



x· 
x

|
ô
le (T1):
Ghat is the net area An for the tension member
as shown in the figure


„
 ÿ  (inches) Standard Hole for a  -in. diam bolt.
 

| |

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

Width to be deducted for hole Î 
Î   .
An = [W g ± (width for hole)] (thickness of plate)
 
 
‰x x x x
  |
For a group of staggered holes along the tension direction, one
must determine the line that produces smallest ³Net Area´.
EFFEC| OF S|AGGERED HOLES ON NE| AREA :-
A
A

Paths of failure
| | | |
on net section

B
9
(a) C B (b)
In the above diagram:
p = Pitch or spacing along bolt line
s = Stagger Between two adjacent bolt lines
(usually s = P/2)
g = gage distance transverse to the loading.
In case (a) above : An = (Gross width ± Ȉ hole dia.) . t
In case (b) above : An = (Gross width ± Ȉ hole dia.+ Ȉ s2/4g) . t |
 ô
le (T2):
Determine the minimum net area of the plate shown in fig. 3.4.2, assuming


in,-diam holes are located as shown:



Figure 3.4.2 Example 3.4.1

|
Soluto . According to LRFD and ASD-B2, the width used in deducing for
holes in the hole diameter plus 1/16 in., and the staggered length correction
Is (s2/4g).

1) Path  (two holes) :






    · 
 .  . 9 . .
 

 

2) Path 
(three holes; two staggers) :




‰ .


(  .
 )  

    · · ·
 .   . 9 . .
 

  ‰ . (  ) 

3) Path 
 (three holes; two staggers) :




‰ .


(
.  )  

   · · ·
 .  . 9 . .
 

  ‰ . (  ) 
(controls) |

When holes are staggered on two legs of an angle, the gage length (g)
for use In the (s2/4g) expression is obtained by using length between the
centers of the holes measured along the centerline of the angle
thickness, i.e., the distance 

   |hus the gage distance g is

t t
  ·    ·  t
 

Gage dimension for an angle |

Every rolled angle has a standard value for the location of holes
(i.e. gage distance ga and gb), depending on the length of the leg
and the number of lines of holes. |able shows u9ual a 9 for
angles as listed in the AISC Manual*. |
ô
le (T3):
Determine the net area (An ) for the angle given in figure below



if    Ú x  holes are used




ß ´

*legs and thickness in mm.

* g · g
 t  ·  
   
Angle with legs shown *flattened* into one plane |

 Soluto 9. For net area calculation the angle may be visualized as being
flattened into a plate as shown in Figure above.
s
n g ; t·; t
g
where is the width to be deducted for the hole.

1) Path 



ß.5"
An = x
 x Î xx x



2) Path 




     
An = x   · x ·  ·
x xx x


  x x 

Since the smallest An is 3.75 sq in., that value governs. |

m When some of the cross section (and not all the section) is

connected, we need to use effective net area concept :-

Ae = U An

where, U = Reduction Factor.

m When all elements of the section are connected, U = 1.0.

|

 When not all elements are connected. Gusset
plate
i) |ransverse Weld Connection:-
Ae = UA
6´
U = 1.0 |
A = Area of connected part only
Angle
e.g. A = 6 x 1/2 = 3 in2 6x4x1/2 Weld

ii) Longitudinal Weld Connection :-

Gusset
Ae = Ag U plate

U = 1.0 for L† 2w | w
U = 0.87 for 2w L 1.5 w
U = 0.75 for 1.5w L w Angle
6x4x1/2 L |

In bolted connections, the reduction factor (U) is a function
of the eccentricity ( ) in the connection.

|hus:-

Î

" x x
0
Where:
= distance between centroids of elements to
the plane of load transfer

L = Length of the connection in the direction of load.

(See Commentary C ± B 3.1 & C ± B 3.2)

|

 Determination of for U.
0
 S


ato orStru
turalSt l
uld 9
 r
|

 r
a  9ttut oSt lo 9tru
to
 (Commentary P16.1 ± 177 AISC)
m For bolted or riveted connections the following values
for (U) aybe used:-

a) W, M or S Shapes with flange width • 2/3 depth, and structural tees cut
from these shapes, provided connection to the flanges and has • 3
fasteners per line in the direction of force, U = 0.ß0.

b) W,M or S Shapes where flanges width < 2/3 depth, and all other shapes,
that has no fewer than 3 fasteners per line, U = 0.85

c) All members having only two fasteners in the line of stress U = 0.75

m For short tension members such as £u99 t
lat 9 the effective net
area equals (An), but must not exceed 0.85 of the gross area (Ag).
|

 ô a
l 

a
l 

Calculate the Ae values of the following section:-

(i) ĺ flange width (6.54´) > 2/3 x depth (8.0´)

7/8 bolts W 8 x 28
ĺ |hree bolts / line
U = 0.ß0
Ag = 8.24 m2
An = gross area ± hole area
= 8.24 ± (2 x 1.0 hole) x web tk 0.285
= 7.68 in2
Ae = U·An = 0.ß x 7.68 = 6.ß12 in2
(ii)
hole dia = 7/8
C ß x 15
only 2 bolts / line, U = 0.75
Ag = 4.41 m2
web tk
An = 4.41 ± (2 x 15/16) 0.285 = 3.875 in2
Ae = 0.75 x 3.875 = 2.ß07 in2
|

(iii) L 3 x 3 x 3/8 x = 0.888
x
L = 6 in (3+3)

U = 1 - x /L = 1 -0.888/6 = 0.852 < 0.ß

Ag = 2.11 in2
3 3 ¾ dia bolt An = 2.11 ± 1 x (3/4 + 1/8) x 3/8 = 2.11 -0.328 = 1.782 in2
Ae = U·An = 0.852 x 1.782 = 1.518 in2
Alternative value of U = 0.85 (3 bolts / line)

(iv) w 10 x 33

All sides connected

U = 1·0
Ag = ß.71 in2 hole
Holes
in web web tk.
An = ß.71 ± 4 x 1.0 x 0.435 ± 2 x 1.0 x 0.2ß0
Holes flage tk
in flage
7/8 dia. bolt
= ß.71 ± 1.74 - 0.58 = 7.3ß in2
Ae = U·An = 7.3ß in2
|

 This third mode of failure is limited to
thin plates. |his failure is a combination of
tearing (shear rupture) and of tensile yielding. It Gusset
is uncommon, but the code provides on extra
a Plate
limit state of (LRFD J 4.3). It is usually checked
after design is completed.
c Shaded area
ôven as tension members are unlikely b may tear out
to be affected by their stiffness (L/r), it is
|
recommended to limit the maximum
(a) Failure by
slenderness ratio (L/r) for all tension members
tearing out
(except rods) to ” 300.
Max. slenderness = L/rmin ” 300
|his is to prevent extra sagging and vibration
due to wind.
|

|he general philosophy of LRFD method:  
8 

For tension members:
 ¬ ¬
where
t = resistance reduction factor for tensile members
 = Nominal strength of the tensile members
u = Factored load on the tensile members.
|he design strength t|n is the smaller of:

   
 

t t
y  
y 
   

  

t t
u   
u 
|his is to be followed by check of rupture strength (block shear failure),
and limitation of slenderness ratio ” 300. | 
ô  | 
Find the maximum tensile capacity of a member consisting of
2Ls (6 x 4 x ) can carry for two cases:
(a) welded connection,
(b) bolted connection ´
1" dia bolts
Fy = 60 ksi 2 ´
Fu = 75 ksi. 2´

5 1¾´ 1¾´

| 


a  ld do
to
Net area = gross area (all sides connected)
= ß.50 in2
Yielding ñ Ft = 0.ß Fy Ag = 0.ß x 60 x ß.50 = 513 k
Fracture ñ Ft = 0.75 Fu Ae = 0.75 x 75 x ß.5 = 534 k

|hus tension capacity, t |n = 513 k (yielding controls)

 
olt do
to
Consider one L

µAn¶ Calculation: W g = gross width = 6 + 4 ± = ß.5 in.

(cont.) | 
Straight section : wn = ß.5 ± 2 x ‰
·
= 7.25 in.

(1.75) 2 (1.75) 2
”ig-”ag = w n Î ß.5
3  ‰1 81
4  2.5 4 4 2 ´
(2.5+2±0.5)
= 6.62 in. (Controls) ß ´
4´
(thickness)
An = 6.62 x = 3.31 in2 for one L
For 2Ls, An = 3.31 x 2 = 6.62 in2
All sides connected, U = 1.0, Ae = U.An = 6.62 in2 1.75´ 1.75´

Calculation of t |n :-
(i) Yielding: 0.ß Fy Ag = 0.ß x 60 x ß.50 = 513 k
(ii) Fracture:0.75 Fu Ae = 0.75 x 75 x 6.62 = 372 k.
(fracture controls) | 
 ×esign is an interactive procedure (trial & error), as we do
not have the final connection detail, so the selection is made,
connection is detailed, and the member is checked again.


 ×
 
|

i) Find required (Ag) from factored load 

. 

.9 d 

ii) Find required (Ae) from factored load 
 |
.

 .
iii) Convert (Ae) to (Ag) by assuming connection detail.

iv) From (ii) & (iii) chose largest (Ag) value

v) Find required (rmin) to satisfy slenderness   

 r i

vi) Select a section to satisfy (iv) and (v) above.

vii) Detail the connection for the selected member.

viii) Re-check the member again. | 

Example (|-6):-

A tension member with a length of 5 feet ß inches

must resist a service dead load of 18 kips and a service live
load of 52 kips. Select a member with a rectangular cross
section. Use A36 steel and assume a connection with one
line of 7/8-inch-diameter bolts.
Member length = 5.75 ft.

| 
 Pu = 1.2 D + 1.6L = 1.2(18) + 1.6(52) = 104.8 kips
Pu 104.8
Required A g Î Î Î 3.235 in.2
0.ß0Fy 0.ß0(36)
Pu 104.8
Required A e Î Î Î 2.40ß in.2
0.75Fu 0.75(58)

Because Ae = An for this member, the gross area corresponding to

the required net area is
A g Î A n · A hole

Î . 9 ·  ·  t Î . 9 · t

|ry t = in.
Ag = . 9 + ( ) = 3. 9 in.
| 
Because 3.40ß > 3.235, the required gross area is 3.40ß in.2, and
Ag 3.40ß
wg Î Î Î 3.40ß in.
t 1
Round to the nearest 1/8 inch and try a 1  3 cross section.
Check the slenderness ratio:
3.5(1) 3
Imin Î Î 0.2ß17 in.4
12
A Î 1(3.5) Î 3.5 in.2
From I Î Ar 2 , we obtain
Imin 0.2ß17
rmin Î Î Î 0.2887 in.
A 3.5
L 5.75(12)
Maximum Î Î 23ß Ô 300 (OK)
r 0.2887
è9 a ar | 
ô  | 

elect a single angle tension member to carry (40

kips DL) and (20 kips LL), member is (15)ft long and will be
connected to any one leg by single line of 7/8´ diameter
bolts. Use A-36 steel.
Soluto 
Step 1) Find Required (|u):-
|u = 1.2 DL + 1.6 LL |u = 1.4 DL
= 1.2 x 40 + 1.6 x 20 or = 1.4 x 40
= 48 + 32 = 80k = 56k
 |u = 80k (Controls) |
Step 2) Find required Ag & Ae:
|u 80
(A g )req. Î Î Î 2.47 in2 Î (A g )1
0.ßFy 0.ß  36
|u 80
(A e )req. Î Î Î 1.84 in2
0.7 Fu 0.7  8
Step 3) Convert (Ae) to (Ag):
Since connection to single leg, then use alternative
(U) value = 0.8 (more then 3 bolt in a line).

x 
  
x
 
è x 
For single line 7/8´ bolts ; Ag = An + (1)t = 2.16 + t = (Ag)2
| 
Step 4) Find required rmin.

rmin Î Î Î . in.

Step ) Select angle:

By selecting (t) we get Ag & rmin

t (Ag) (Ag)

/4 .47 .4
select t = /8´
/8 .47 .
(Ag) = . in
/ .47 .
(Controls)
| 
Selection
L4  3 21  3 8
Ag = 2.67 in2 > 2.53 in2 OK
rmin = 0.727 in > 0.6 OK

Step 6) Design the bolted connection:

(chap. 4).

Step 7) Re-check the section.

| 

ô  | 
Select a pair of MC as shown to carry a factored ultimate load
of 4ß0 kips in tension. Assume connection as shown. Steel Fy = 50 ksi,
Fu = 65 ksi (A572, grade 50) length = 30 ft.
10´ 2MC 1. |u = 4ß0 k; per channel, |u = 245 k
2. Required, (Ag)1 = 245 / 0.ß x 50 = 5.44 in2
Required, (Ae) = 245 / 0.75 x 65 = 5.03 in2

Required, (An) =  = 5.03 in2


7/8´ bolt U = 1.0 (Well connected)

3. Assume that flange thickness ~ 0.5 in and web tk. ~ 0.3 in. (experience !)
An = (Ag)2 ± 2 x 1.0 x 0.5 ± 2 x 1.0 x 0.3
= (Ag)2 ± 1.60
 (Ag)2 = An + 1.60 = 5.03 + 1.60 = 6.63 in.
| 
(controls)
4. Required. rmin =  ÿ


x (as a buildup section)
 
ñ rmin • 1.2
5. |ry MC 10 x 25 ; Ag = 7.35 in2 ; tw = 0.38 and tf = 0.575, rx = 3.87 in.

6. Check capacity y
An = 7.35 ± 2 x 1.0 x 0.575 ± 2 x 1.0 x 0.38
= 7.35 ± 1.ß10 = 5.44 in2.
Ae = 5.44 in2.

(i) Yielding |n = 0.ß x 50 x (2 x 7.35) = 661.5 k y

(ii) Fracture |n = 0.75 x 65 x (2 x 5.44) = 530.4 k
Pn = 530.4 k > 4ß0 k. OK

Use 2 MC 10 x 25
| 
For built-up members, t 
lat 9 are required to make the
members to behave as a single unit.

Ù Between tie plates, each member behaves as a single.

|herefore, l/r between tie-plates corresponds to that for
a single member.

For single , rmin = ry ; ry = 1.0 in

00  1.0
a . l
ft
.0ft 0ft. (N.G.)
1

| 
 |herefore one tie-plate at middle must be used.

Note:

|ie-Plates must be used at ends. See

15
Manual for min. sizes. LRFD D2, P16.1 - 24

Length of tie-plate • 2/3 (dist. between line of connection) = 8"

|hickness of tie-plate • 1/50 (dist. between line of connection) = 1/2"

15

See LFRD D2. (P. 16.1-24)

|