CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 1

Determine the reduction factor U to be

applied in computing the effective net
area for a W14X82 section connected
by plates at its two flanges, as shown.
U = 1.0 – x/L
[except plates and HSS sections]
U=1- 1.39/6 = 0.77
According to AISC Table D3.1,
Case 7, W, M, or S shapes having
flange widths not less than two-
thirds of the depth (bf/d > 0.67),
and structural tees cut from
these shapes, U = 0.90 when
there are at least three fasteners
per line in the direction of
stress.

Thus, the reduction factor U can be taken as 0.90.

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 2

Load Transfer at Connections

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

 CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4
Tension Members - 2 3

Load Transfer at Connections

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 4

LRFD Design
φtTn ≥ Tu Where,
φt = resistance factor relating to tension member strength
Tn = nominal strength of a tension member (see AISC-Chapter D)
φtTn = design strength of a tension member
Tu = factored load on a tension member
Tension Members have THREE limit states:
1. Yielding on gross section
2. Fracture on effective section
3. Block Shear
Yielding on gross section
φtTn = φt Fy Ag = 0.9 Fy Ag
Fracture on effective net section
φtTn = φt Fu Ae = 0.75 Fu Ae
Note that the resistance factor φt is 0.90 for the yielding limit state and
0.75 for the fracture limit state.

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

 CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4
Tension Members - 2 5

ASD Design
Yielding on gross section
Nominal Strength: Tn = FyAg

Allowable Strength:

Safety factor Ω = 1.67 for yielding on gross section

Fracture on effective net section

Nominal Strength: Tn = Fu Ae

Allowable Strength:

Safety factor Ω = 2.00 for fracture on net section

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 6

Stiffness as a Design Criterion

‰ Even though stability is not a criterion in the design of tension

members, it is still necessary to limit their length or section to
prevent a member from becoming too flexible both during
erection and final use of the structure.
‰ Tension members that are too long or too thin may sag excessively
because of their own weight.
‰ They may also vibrate when subjected to wind forces as in an open
truss or when supporting vibrating equipment such as fans or
compressors.

AISC D1: Preferable: L/rmin ≤ 300

Except cables and tie rods.
r = minimum radius of gyration = √(Imin/Ag)

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

 CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4
Tension Members - 2 7

ASD Load Capacity

Determine the service load capacity in tension for an L6 x 4 x 1/2

A572 Grade 50 steel connected with 7/8 –in.-diam. bolts in standard
holes as shown. Assume live load to be three times the dead load.
Neglect block shear failure.

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 8

ASD Load Capacity

0.981"

Consider net section along 1-1 and along 1-2, because at these two
sections, full force is transferred.
From AISC Manual: Ag = 4.75 in2 and x = 0.981
Along 1-1: An = Ag – (1-hole) = 4.75 – ( 7/8 + 1/8)×(1/2) =4.25 in2
Along 1-2: An = Ag – (2-hole) + s2/4g
= 4.75 - 2( 7/8 + 1/8)×(1/2) + 22/(4 × 2.5)(1/2)
= 3.95 in2
U = 1 – x/L = 1 – 0.981/14 = 0.93
Ae = UAn = 0.93 × 3.95 = 3.67 in2.
Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017
 CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4
Tension Members - 2 9

ASD Load Capacity

A572 Grade 50 steel: Fy = 50 ksi, Fu=65 ksi.

Yielding on gross area:

Allowable tension = Tn/Ω = FyAg/ Ω = 50(4.75)/1.67 = 142 kips

Fracture on effective area:

Allowable tension = Tn/Ω = FuAe/ Ω = 65(3.67)/2.00 = 119 kips → Governs
Now, D + L = 119
ŸD + 3D = 119
ŸD = 29.75 kips

∴L = 3D = 89.25 kips

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 10

Tension member design problem:

Select an unequal-leg angle tension member 15 ft long to resist a
service dead load of 35 kips and a service live load of 70 kips. Use
A36 steel (Fy = 36 ksi, Fu=58 ksi). The connection is shown in figure
below. It shall be connected to a gusset plate using 8 nos. ¾-in dia.
bolts in two rows as shown. Neglect block shear failure mode and
follow LRFD principle.
Solution:
The factored load is
Pu = 1.2D +1.6L = 1.2(35) +1.6(70)
= 154 kips
On gross area: Pu ζ φ Pn = φ Fy Ag
∴ Ag = Pu/(φ Fy ) = 154/(0.9×36)
= 4.75 in2.
On net area: Pu ζ φ Pn = φ Fu Ae
∴ Ae = Pu/(φ Fu ) = 154/(0.75×58)
= 3.54 in2.

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

 CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4
Tension Members - 2 11

To find the net area An, we need U. However, at this stage, the section
is unknown. We can assume U = 0.8 (Case 7, AISC Table D3.1, four
bolts in a row).

Thus, An = Ae/U = 3.54/.8 = 4.425 in2.

∴Gross area Ag = An + bolt holes = 4.425 + 2(3/4 + 1/8)t
Where t is the thickness of the angle which is unknown.
Conservatively, we choose t = ¾ in
∴ Ag = 4.425 + 2(3/4 + 1/8)( ¾ ) = 5.74 in2 (governs)

Now we choose a section from AISC Manual with Ag ≥ 5.74 in2

and t ≤ ¾ in. We choose L6 x 4 x 5/8
Ag = 5.86 in2, t = 5/8 in. ∴ An = 5.86 – 2(3/4+1/8)5/8 =4.77 in2.
Ae = U An = 0.8(4.77) = 3.82 in2.

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017

CE 319 : Design of Steel Structures 4

Tension Members - 2 12

∴ Yield on gross area, φ Pn = φ Fy Ag = 0.9(36)5.86 = 189.9 kip,

Fracture on effective area, φ Pn = φ Fu Ae = 0.75(58)3.82 = 166.2 kip
Thus, tension capacity φ Pn = 166.2 > Pu OK.

Consider stiffness in the design:

The radius of gyration should be at least L/300 = 15×12/300 = 0.6 in.

For L6 x 4 x 5/8, rmin = rz = 0.859 (From AISC Manual Table) which is OK

Prof. Dr. K.M. Amanat Dept. of Civil Engg. BUET, 2017