VELAMMAL COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY, MADURAI

DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING

CE8601 – DESIGN OF STEEL STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS
UNIT 3 – TENSION MEMBERS

1. Write the use of lug angle. (Apr/May 2019, Nov/Dec 2017, Apr/May 2016)
When a tension member is subjected to heavy load, the number of bolts or the length of
weld required for making a connection with other member becomes larger, resulting in
uneconomical size of the gusset plates. In such situation, the additional short angle may
be used to reduce the joint length and shear lag. This angle is called lug angles.

2. What is tension splice? (Apr/May 2019, Nov/Dec 2017)

If a single piece of required length is not available tension members are spliced to
transfer required tension from one piece to another. The strength of the splice plates and
the bolts/weld connecting them should have strength at least equal to the design load.
3. What are the various types of tension members? (Apr/May 2017, Apr/May 2016)
The following are the different types of tension steel members.
i. I section
ii. Two channels connected with compression and tension plates
iii. Plate girders
iv. Bottom chord members of steel roof trusses
4. What is net sectional area? (Apr/May 2017)
The net sectional area of the tension member is the gross sectional area of the member
minus sectional area of the maximum number of holes.
An = Ag – (number of bolts x diameter of bolt hole)
5. What is shear lag?
Shear lag occurs when some elements of the member cross section are not connected. For
example, an angle section tension member connected with one leg only as shown in
figure, the connected leg will exhibit full stress compared to unconnected leg. The stress
variation occurs in the angle section is known as shear lag.
6. What is lug angle? Why is it not used in practice?
When a tension member is subjected to heavy load, the number of bolts or the length of
weld required for making a connection with other member becomes larger, resulting in
uneconomical size of the gusset plates. In such situation, the additional short angle may
be used to reduce the joint length and shear lag. This angle is called lug angles.
Generally, it is not used in practice because of the practical difficulty in connecting the
angle in position. Further it also leads to eccentricity during transfer of loads.
7. What are the factors that influence the strength of tension member?
i. Length of connection
ii. Size and spacing of fasteners
iii. Net area of cross section
iv. Type of fabrication
v. Connection eccentricity
vi. Shear lag and the end connection
8. Under what circumstances will block shear failure occurs in a tension member.
At the connection, the end failure of a tension member may occur along a path involving
shear along one plane and tension on a perpendicular plane along the fastener. This will
lead to block shear failure.
9. Why are drilled holes preferred over punched holes?
i. Drilled holes will have uniform diameter whereas punched holes will have
distorted shape and diameter.
ii. In drilled holes the forces to the connected member will be transformed uniformly
in all directions whereas it may not be so in punched holes.
10. How can the effects of shear lag be considered in the design calculation?
The shear lag effects is taken care of by substituting the appropriate value of shear lag
width, bs in the equation for
β = 1.4 – 0.076(w/t)(fy/fu)(bs/Lc)
11. When gusset plates are used?
 Gusset plates are thick sheets of steel that are used to connect beams and girders to
columns or to connect truss members. A gusset plate can be fastened to a permanent
member either by bolts, rivets or welding or a combination of the three.

12. Classify the modes of failure in tension member.

Modes of failure in tension members
(a) Gross Section Yielding
(b) Net section Rupture
(c) Block Shear.