Design and Analysis of Tension Members

Introduction to Tension Members

Tension members are axially loaded members stressed in tension and are used in steel
structures in various forms. They are used in trusses as web and chord members, hanger and sag
rods, diagonal bracing for lateral stability and lap splices such as in a moment connection. The
figures below are some of the examples and arrangement of tension members.
 Tension Member Load‐Deformation Behavior

Basic Concepts

Stress in an axially loaded tension member is given by Equation

where, P is the magnitude of load, and A is the cross-sectional area normal to the load

 The stress in a tension member is uniform throughout the cross-section except:

a. Near the point of application of load, and
b. at the cross-section with holes for bolts or other discontinuities, etc.
 For example, consider an 8 x ½ in. bar connected to a gusset plate and loaded in tension as
shown below

 Area of bar at section a – a = 8 x ½ = 4 in2

 Area of bar at section b – b = (8 – 2 x 7/8) x ½ = 3.12 in2
 Therefore, by definition (Equation 4.1) the reduced area of section b – b will be subjected to
higher stresses
 However, the reduced area and therefore the higher stresses will be localized around
section b – b.
 The unreduced area of the member is called its gross area = Ag
 Reference to Stress Strain Relationships

A tension member behaves similarly to a tensile test specimen. As the tensile load (P) is
gradually increased, the member elongates (δ) proportionately according to the formula

The load deformation relationship for a particular sample can be normalized to represent
the stress-strain relationship for all samples of that material

E = 200,000 N/mm2
A typical stress-strain curve for steel is shown in figure below. The limit of proportional load
to deformation behavior occurs at the yield stress, F y. As additional load is applied, the stress
increases due to strain hardening of the steel up to the ultimate tensile strength, F u. The yield
stress, strength, and modulus of elasticity (E) are specified in the Manual for typical steels in Tables
2-3 and 2-4 (see Table 1 below). The preferred grade of steel for various shapes is also indicated;
 Analysis of Tension Members

For members subject to tension, the two basic modes of failure are tensile yielding and
tensile rupture. Tensile yielding occurs when the stress on the gross area of the section is large
enough to cause excessive deformation.
Tensile rupture occurs when the stress on the effective area of the section is large enough to
cause the member to fracture, which usually occurs across a line of bolts where the tension
member is weakest.

Tension Member Failure Modes

The tensile load is uniform along the length of a member. Since the net cross-section is
smallest at the bolted connection, the stress is highest in this location. As the tensile load on a
member is increased, the steel adjacent to the bolt holes yields first. Since the bolt holes represent
a small segment of the overall length of the member, the elongation due to the yielding adjacent to
the bolt holes is negligible.
As load continues to increase, one of the following occurs:

 The gross section yields, possibly leading to excessive deformation,

 The cross section through the bolt holes ruptures, resulting in a loss of integrity of the

 structure, or

 A cross section through the bolt holes fails in a combination of shear and tension called,

block shear
 Mode of Failures for Tension Members

Analysis Criteria (2015 NSCP Code)