Tension Member Design

Developed by Scott Civjan
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
1
P
TENSION MEMBER:
Structural member
subjected to tensile axial
load.
Tension Module 2
Strength design requirements:
Pu  Pn (Pa  Pn/Ω)ASD
Where  varies depending on failure mode.
Tension Module 3
Tensile Strength
Strength Limit States:

Yielding on Gross Area
Rupture on Net Area
Block Shear
Bearing or Tear-out at Bolts
Tension Module 4
Yielding on Gross Area, Ag
Tension Theory 5
Yield on Gross Area
When a member is loaded the strength is limited by the

yielding of the entire cross section.
P=FyA
L0
yL0 
Tension Theory 6
Yield on Gross Area
When a member is loaded the strength is limited by the

yielding of the entire cross section.
P=FyA P

L
yL0 
P
Tension Theory 7
Yield on Gross Area
However, consider how this is affected by the

stress-strain conditions.
Consider L0=100 inch long tension member.
Tension Theory 8
Yield on Gross Area
Fu
Esh
Fy
E
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 9
Yield on Gross Area
Fu
Esh
Fy
E Δy = 0.0015(100) = 0.15”
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 10
Yield on Gross Area
Fu
Esh
Fy
Δsh = 0.02(100) = 2”
E Δy = 0.0015(100) = 0.15”
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 11
Yield on Gross Area
Δu = 0.15(100) = 15”
Fu
Esh
Fy
Δsh = 0.02(100) = 2”
E Δy = 0.0015(100) = 0.15”
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 12
Yield on Gross Area
Consider L0 = 100 inch long tension member.
ΔYield = approx. 0.00172(100) = 0.172”

ΔOnset of Strain Hardening = approx. 0.02(100) = 2”
ΔPeak Load = approx. 0.15(100) = 15”
Excessive deformations defines “Failure” for

tension member yielding.
Limit to FyAg.
Tension Theory 13
Rupture on Effective Net Area, Ae
Tension Theory 14
Rupture on Effective Net Area
If holes are included in the cross section

less area resists the tension force.
Bolt holes are larger than the bolt

diameter.
In addition, processes of punching holes

can damage the steel around the
perimeter.
Tension Theory 15
Design typically uses average stress values.
This assumption relies on the inherent ductility of steel.
Pn
Tension Theory 16

Initial stresses will typically include
stress concentrations due to higher
strains at these locations.
Pn
Tension Theory 17
Highest strain locations yield,

then elongate along plastic
plateau while adjacent stresses
increase with additional strain.
Pn
Tension Theory 18
Pn
Eventually at very high strains

the ductility of steel results in
full yielding of the cross
section.
Tension Theory 19
Pn
Therefore average stresses are

typically used in design.
Tension Theory 20
Similarly, bolts and surrounding material will yield

prior to rupture due to the inherent ductility of steel.
Therefore assume each bolt transfers equal force .
Pn
Tension Theory 21
Shear Lag affects members where:

Only a portion of the cross section is connected,
Connection does not have sufficient length.
Tension Theory 22
The plate will fail in the line with the highest force
(for similar number of bolts in each line).
Each bolt line shown transfers 1/3 of the total force.
Pn Net area
reduced by
hole area
Bolt line 3 2 1 Cross Section
Tension Theory 23
Pn
Pn
Pn Net area
reduced by
hole area
Tension Theory 24
Pn/6
Pn
2/3Pn Pn/6
Pn Net area
reduced by
hole area
Tension Theory 25
Pn/6 Pn/6
1/3Pn Pun
Pun/6 Pn/6
Pn Net area
reduced by
hole area
Tension Theory 26
Pn/6 Pn/6 Pn/6
Pn
0 Pn/6 Pn/6 Pn/6
Pn Net area
reduced by
hole area
Tension Theory 27
Bolt line 1 resists Pn in the plate.

Force in plate Bolt line 2 resists 2/3Pn in the plate.
Bolt line 3 resists 1/3Pn in the plate.
P Net area
0 1/3 2/3 Pn
n
reduced by
Pn Pn hole area
Tension Theory 28
Consider how this is affected by the stress-strain

conditions.
Consider L0=1 inch diameter holes.
1 inch
Pn
Tension Theory 29
Fu
Esh
Fy
E
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 30
Fu
Esh
Fy =
50 ksi
E Δ = 0.0017(1) = 0.0017”
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 31
Fu
Esh
Fy
Δ = 0.02(1) = 0.02”
E Δ = 0.0015(1) = 0.0015”
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 32
Δu = 0.15(1) = 0.15”
Fu
Esh
Fy
Δsh = 0.02(1) = 0.02”
E Δy = 0.0017(1) = 0.0017”
u
.1 to .2
y sh u r
.001 to .002 .01 to .03 Strain .1 to .2 .2 to .3
Tension Theory 33
Consider L0=1 inch hole diameter.
ΔYield = approx. 0.00172(1) = 0.00172”

ΔOnset of Strain Hardening = approx. 0.02(1) = 0.02”
ΔPeak Load = approx. 0.15(1) = 0.15”
Failure at net area can achieve Fu

so long as ductility is available.
Tension Theory 34
For a plate with a typical bolt pattern the rupture plane is shown.
Yield on Ag would occur along the length of the member.
Both failure modes depend on cross-sectional areas.
Rupture failure across
section at lead bolts.
Pn
Yield failure (elongation)

occurs along the length of
the member.
Tension Theory 35
What if holes are not in a line perpendicular to the load?
Need to include
additional length/area Pn
of failure plane due to g
non-perpendicular path.
s
Additional strength depends on:

Geometric length increase
Combination of tension and shear stresses
Combined effect makes a direct calculation difficult.
Tension Theory 36
Boundary of force transfer

into the plate from each bolt.
Pn
As the force is transferred from each bolt it spreads through the

tension member. This is sometimes called the “flow of forces”
Note that the forces from the left 4 bolts act on the full cross
section at the failure plane (bolt line nearest load application).
Tension Theory 37
Now consider a
much wider plate.
Pn
At the rupture plane (right bolts) forces have not engaged the
entire plate.
Tension Theory 38
Rupture Plane
Now consider a
much wider plate.
Pn
At rupture plane (right bolts) forces have not engaged the entire
plate.
Tension Theory 39
Rupture Plane
Portion of member Now consider a
carrying no tension.
much wider plate.
Pn
entire plate.
Tension Theory 40
Rupture Plane
Portion of member Now consider a
carrying no tension.
much wider plate.
Pn
Effective length of
rupture plane
entire plate.
Tension Theory 41
This concept
describes the
Whitmore Section.
30o
Pn
lw= width of
Whitmore Section
30o
Tension Theory 42
Shear Lag
Accounts for distance required for stresses to distribute

from connectors into the full cross section.
Largest influence when
Only a portion of the cross section is connected.
Connection does not have sufficient length.
Tension Theory 43
Shear Lag
Ae = Effective Net Area

An = Net Area
Ae ≠ An Due to Shear Lag
Tension Theory 44
Pn
l= Length of Connection
Tension Theory 45
Pn
Rupture
Plane
Tension Theory 46
Pn
Distribution of
Forces Through
Section
Rupture
Plane
Tension Theory 47
Section Carrying
Tension Forces Pn
Distribution of
Forces Through
Section
Rupture
Plane
Tension Theory 48
Pn
Area not
Effective in
Tension Due to
Shear Lag
Shear lag less

influential when l is
long, or if outstanding
Effective Net leg has minimal area
Area in Tension
or eccentricity
Tension Theory 49
Block Shear
Tension Theory 50
Block Shear
Failure Tears Out Block of Steel
Block defined by:

Center line of holes
Edge of welds
State of Combined Yielding and Rupture
Failure Planes
At least one each in tension and shear.

Tension Theory 51
Block Shear
Typical Examples in Tension Members:
Angle Connected on One Leg
W-Shape Flange Connection
Plate Connection
Tension Theory 52
Block Shear Angle Bolted to Plate
Pn
Pn
Tension Theory 53
Shear plane on Angle
Pn
Tension plane on Angle
Pn
Shear plane on Plate

Tension plane on Plate
(Shorter Dimension Controls if Fy and t are the same)
Tension Theory 54
Pn
Block Failure from Angle

Block Failure From Plate
Pn
Tension Theory 55
Block Shear Flange of W-Shape
Bolted to Plate
Pn
First look at the W-Shape, then the plate
Tension Theory 56
Bolted to Plate
Shear planes on W-Shape
Pn
Tension planes on W-Shape
Tension Theory 57
Bolted to Plate
Pn
Block Failure in W-Shape
Tension Theory 58
Bolted to Plate
Pn
Pn
Tension Theory 59
Bolted to Plate
Pn
Shear planes on Plate

Tension planes on Plate
Pn

Tension Theory 60
Flange of W-Shape
Block Shear
Bolted to Plate
Pn
Block Failure in Plate
Pn
Block Failure in Plate

Tension Theory 61
Block Shear Angle or Plate Welded to
Plate
Pn
Weld around the

perimeter
Two Block Shear Failures to Check
Tension Theory 62
Plate
Pn
Pn
Tension Theory 63
Plate
Pn
Shear plane on Plate
Pn

Tension Theory 64
Plate
Pn
Block Failure From Plate
Pn
Tension Theory 65
Bearing at Bolt Holes
Tension Theory 66
Bolts bear into material around hole.
Direct bearing can deform the bolt hole an

excessive amount and be limited by direct
bearing capacity.
If the clear space to adjacent hole or edge

distance is small, capacity may be limited by
tearing out a section of base material at the
bolt.
Tension Theory 67
Bolt
Pn
Bolt induces bearing

stresses on the base
material.
Tension Theory 68
Bolt
Pn
Which can result in excessive

deformation of the bolt hole,
Tension Theory 69
Lc
Bolt
Pn
When bearing stresses act on bolts

that are near the edge of the
material (Lc dimension is small).
Lc= clear distance, in the direction of load, between the edge of the
hole and the edge of the adjacent hole or the edge of the material.
Tension Theory 70
Pn
A block of material can tear out to

the plate edge due to bearing.
Tension Theory 71
Lc
Bolt
Pn
Similarly, when bearing stresses

act on bolts that are closely spaced
(Lc dimension is small).
Tension Theory 72
Pn
A block of material can tear out

between the bolt holes due to
bearing stresses.
Tension Theory 73
Developed by Scott Civjan
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
74
 Tension Members:
 Chapter B: Gross and Net Areas
 Chapter D: Tension Member Strength
 Chapter J: Block Shear
 Part 5: Design Charts and Tables
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
75
 Gross and Net Areas:
 Criteriain Section B4.3
 Strength criteria in Chapter D: Design of Members for
Tension
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
76
Yield on Gross Area
t = 0.90 (t = 1.67)

t = 0.75 (t = 2.00)
Block Shear
t = 0.75 (t = 2.00)
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
77
Yield on Gross Area
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
78
Yield on Gross Area
Pn = FyAg Equation D2-1
t = 0.90 (t = 1.67)
Ag = Gross Area
Total cross-sectional area in the plane
perpendicular to tensile stresses.
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
79
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
80
Pn = FuAe Equation D2-2
t = 0.75 (t = 2.00)

Accounts for any holes or openings,
potential failure planes not
perpendicular to the tensile stresses,
and effects of shear lag. Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
81
An = Net Area = Net Width x thickness

Modify gross area (Ag) to account for the following:
Holes or openings
Potential failure planes not

perpendicular to the tensile stresses.
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
82
Diagonal hole pattern:

Net Width = Gross Width + Σs2/4g – width of all holes
Section B4.3b and D3.2
s = longitudinal center-to-center spacing of holes (pitch)

g = transverse center-to-center spacing between fastener lines (gage)
Pu
g
s Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
83
Holes or openings
Section B4.3b
Use1/16” greater bolt hole width than nominal
hole dimension shown in Table J3.3.
Accounts for potential damage in fabrication.
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
84
When considering angles:
Find gage (g) on page 1-48 of Manual,

“Workable Gages in Standard Angles”
unless otherwise noted.
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
85
An = Net Area
An = Ag- ∑(dn+1/16)t + ∑(s2/(4g))t
dn = nominal hole diameter

t = thickness of tension member
Other terms defined on previous slides
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
86

Modify net area (An) to account for shear lag.
Ae = AnU Equation D3-1
U = shear lag factor reduction

x
U  1 x = eccentricity of connection
l
Or value per
Table D3.1 l = length where force transfer occurs
(distance parallel to applied tension
Tension -
force along bolts or weld) AISC
Manual
14th Ed
87
Block Shear
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
88
Block Shear
Block Shear Rupture Strength (Equation J4-3),

Rn  0.6 Fu Anv  U bs Fu Ant  0.6 Fy Agv  U bs Fu Ant
t = 0.75 (t = 2.00)
Agv = gross area subject to shear

Anv = net area subject to shear
Ant = net area subject to tension
Ubs = 1 or 0.5 (1 for most tension members, see Figure C-J4.2)
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
89
Block Shear
Block Shear Rupture Strength (Equation J4-5),

Rn  0.6 Fu Anv  U bs Fu Ant  0.6 Fy Agv  U bs Fu Ant
Smaller of two
t = 0.75 (t = 2.00) values will control
Agv = gross area subject to shear

Anv = net area subject to shear
Ant = net area subject to tension
Ubs = 1 or 0.5 (1 for most tension members, see Figure C-J4.2)
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
90
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
91
For standard, oversized, and short-slotted holes, or long slotted

holes with slots parallel to the direction of loading:
R  1.2 L tF  2.4dtF (Equation J3-6a)
n c u u
t = 0.75 (t = 2.00)
Lc = clear distance, in the direction of force, between the

edge of hole and the edge of adjacent hole or edge of
the material.
t = thickness of connected material
d = nominal bolt diameter
Fu = specified minimum tensile strength of the connected Tension -
material AISC
Manual
92
14th Ed

holes with slots parallel to the direction of loading:
R  1.2 L tF  2.4dtF (Equation J3-6a)
n c u u
Tearout Limit Bearing Limit t = 0.75 (t = 2.00)
Lc = clear distance, in the direction of force, between the

edge of hole and the edge of adjacent hole or edge of
the material.
t = thickness of connected material
d = nominal bolt diameter
Fu = Specified minimum tensile strength of the connected Tension -
material AISC
Manual
93
14th Ed

holes with slots parallel to the direction of loading, but when
deformation of the bolt hole is not a design consideration:
R  1.5 L tF  3.0dtF (Equation J3-6b)
n c u u
For long-slotted holes with slot perpendicular to the direction of

force:
Rn  1.0 Lc tFu  2.0dtFu (Equation J3-6c)
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
94
Design Aids
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
95
Design Aids
Tables 5-1 to 5-8

List available yield and rupture strength for
typical sections.
Use care!
These tables assume Ae = 0.700Ag to 0.952Ag.
You must check this is met in the member and
connections!
Tension -
AISC
Manual
14th Ed
96
Design Aids
Table 7-4 provides bearing strength at bolt holes

based on bolt spacing.
Table 7-5 provides bearing strength at bolt holes

based on edge distance.
• These tables check bearing and tearout.
• Note that edge distance, Le and bolt spacing, s are
measured to the centers of bolt holes, rather than the edges
of the bolt holes.
• The bearing side of the equation controls when s ≥ sfull or
Le ≥ Lefull. sfull and Lefull are the bolt spacing and edge Tension -
distance, respectively, for full bearing strength. AISC
Manual
14th Ed
97

Tension Member Design

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

Tension Member Design

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Developed by Scott Civjan

University of Massachusetts, Amherst

Strength Limit States:

When a member is loaded the strength is limited by the

When a member is loaded the strength is limited by the

However, consider how this is affected by the

Consider L0=100 inch long tension member.

Consider L0 = 100 inch long tension member.

ΔYield = approx. 0.00172(100) = 0.172”

Excessive deformations defines “Failure” for

If holes are included in the cross section

Bolt holes are larger than the bolt

In addition, processes of punching holes

Design typically uses average stress values.

This assumption relies on the inherent ductility of steel.

Design typically uses average stress values.

This assumption relies on the inherent ductility of steel.

Design typically uses average stress values.

This assumption relies on the inherent ductility of steel.

Highest strain locations yield,

Design typically uses average stress values.

This assumption relies on the inherent ductility of steel.

Eventually at very high strains

Design typically uses average stress values.

This assumption relies on the inherent ductility of steel.

Therefore average stresses are

Similarly, bolts and surrounding material will yield

Shear Lag affects members where:

Bolt line 1 resists Pn in the plate.

Consider how this is affected by the stress-strain

Consider L0=1 inch diameter holes.

Consider L0=1 inch hole diameter.

ΔYield = approx. 0.00172(1) = 0.00172”

Failure at net area can achieve Fu

Yield failure (elongation)

What if holes are not in a line perpendicular to the load?

Additional strength depends on:

Boundary of force transfer

As the force is transferred from each bolt it spreads through the

Accounts for distance required for stresses to distribute

Largest influence when

Only a portion of the cross section is connected.

Connection does not have sufficient length.

Ae = Effective Net Area

Shear lag less

Failure Tears Out Block of Steel

Block defined by:

State of Combined Yielding and Rupture

At least one each in tension and shear.

Typical Examples in Tension Members:

Angle Connected on One Leg

W-Shape Flange Connection

Tension plane on Angle

Shear plane on Plate

Block Failure from Angle

First look at the W-Shape, then the plate

Tension planes on W-Shape

First look at the W-Shape, then the plate

Block Failure in W-Shape

First look at the W-Shape, then the plate

Shear planes on Plate

Shear planes on Plate