1

Analysis and Design

of Tension Members
Introduction 2

Tension members are in bridges, trusses, bracing, etc

One of the simplest design.

Various types of tension members in general use are illustrated in Fig 3.1

Single and double angles are the most common.

T sections are good for welded truss cords.

Types of tension members. 3
 4
Built up are used when insufficient area or rigidity from single shapes.

Tie plates are used to hold sections in positions

Steel cables of about 200,000-250,000 psi are used for suspension bridges,
cable supported roofs, etc.

Refer to manufacturers catalogue for cable specifications.

Nominal Strength of Tension Members
5
Failure can occur at net section through holes.
Yielding of net section might not be significant due to its short length with
respect to total length.
AISC stated that nominal strength, Pn is the smaller values of the
following to expressions:
Net Areas (An) 6

Presence of holes increases stresses.

Uniformly distributed tension is assumed.

Net area (An) refers to gross cross-section minus holes.

Holes diameters 1/8 in larger the bolts.

 Example 3.1 7

Determine the net area of the 3/8 x 8-in plate shown in Fig. 3.2 The plate
connected at its end with two lines of ¾-in bolts.
 Example 3.1, cont. 8

The connections should be arranged so that no eccentricity present.

For unsymmetrical members, arrange the members at a joint so that their

gage lines coincide.
Figure 3.3 Lining up centroidal axes of
9
members.
 Effect of Staggered Holes 10

Stagger holes to provide larger net area.

The smallest value of the net areas is the critical value..

AISC offer empirical method to calculate zigzag net area.

Width, subtract diameter of holes along zigzag, add inclined line = S2/4g
S and g are the longitudinal and transverse spacings.
S = Spacing and g = Gage.
Figure 3.4 Possible failure sections in
Plates. 11
12
 13
TABLE 3.1 Workable Gages for Angles, in
Inches
 Example 3.2 14

Determine the critical net area of the ½-in-thick plate shown in Fig. 3.5,
using the AISC specifications (Section B4.3b). The holes are punched
for ¾ in bolts.
Example 3.2, Solutions. 15
 Example 3.4 16

Determine the net area of the W12 x 16 (Ag = 4.71 in2) shown in Fig. 3.7,
assuming the holes are for 1-in bolts.
Example 3.4, cont. 17
 Example 3.5 18

Determine the net area along route ABCDEF for the C15 x 33.9 (Ag =
10.00 in2). Holes are for ¾-in bolts.
Example 3.5, cont. 19
 Effective Net Area 20

Uneven stresses through transition region.

Failure stress is less than tensile strength.

In transition region stress may go to strain hardening and steel might

fracture.

The further away from transition zone the more uniform stress.

In transition region, “Shear Lag” may occur.

 Effective Net Area, cont. 21

Ae = A n U

Ae is the effective area

An is the net area

U is a reduction factor.

U is affected by:
1. cross-section.
2. length of the connection.
 22
Figure 3.9 Shear lag.
Effective Net Area, cont. 23

is the distance to the centroid.

L is the length of the connection.
For bolted members, L is the length of the line with maximum number of
bolts.
If staggered, L is the out-to-out line between the extreme bolts in a line.
TABLE 3.2 Shear Lag Factors for 24
Connections to Tension Members
25
26
 27
Figure 3.11 Values of x for different shapes.
 28
Figure 3.12 x for a channel bolted
through its web.
 Example 3-6
29
Determine the LRFD design strength for a W10 x 45 with two lines of ¾-
in diameter bolts in each flange using A572 Grade 50 Steel, with Fy
= 50 ksi and Fu = 65 ksi, and the AISC Specification.
There are assumed to be at least three bolts in each line 4 in on centre, and the
bolts are staggered with respect with each other.
Example 3-6, cont. 30
Example 3-6, cont. 31
 Example 3-7 32

Determine the LRFD design strength and the ASD allowable strength for an A36
(Fy = 36 ksi and Fu = 58 ksi) Angle L6 x 6 x 3/8 in that is connected at its
ends with one line of four 7/8-in-diameter bolts in standard holes 3 in on
centre in one leg of the angle.

nominal or available tensile strength of the angle

Example 3-7, cont. 33
 Example 3-8 34
The 1 x 6 in Plate shown in Fig. 3.13 is connected to a 1 x 10 in Plate with
longitudinal fillet weld to transfer tensile load. Determine the LRFD
design tensile strength and the ASD allowable tensile strength of the
member if Fy = 50 ksi and the Fu = 65 ksi.
Example 3-8, cont. 35
 Example 3-9 36

Compute the LRFD design tensile strength and the ASD allowable tensile
strength of the Angle shown in Fig. 3.14. It is welded on the end
(transverse) and (longitudinal) of the 8-in leg only. Fy = 50 ksi and

Fu = 70 ksi.
Example 3-9, cont. 37
Example 3-9, cont. 38
 Connecting Elements for Tension 39
Members

When splices of gusset plates are used as statically loaded tensile connecting
elements.

A = Ag, may not exceed 85 percent of Ag.

 Example 3-10 40
The tension member (Fy = 50 ksi and Fu = 65 ksi) of Example 3-6 is assumed
to be connected at its ends with two 3/8 x 12 –in Plates, as shown in
Fig. 3.15. If two lines of ¾-in bolts are used in each plate, determine the
LRFD design tensile force and the ASD allowable tensile force that the
two plates can transfer.
Example 3-10, cont. 41
Example 3-10, cont. 42
 43

Design of Tension
Members
 44
Selection of Sections

Members should have the following properties:

1. Compactness.
2. Fit with reasonable relation with other members.
3. Connections to as many parts as in the section as possible to minimise
“shear Lag”.
4. Slenderness ratio (L/r) = 300, AISC , Section D.1 for other than
rods.
Selection of Sections, cont. 45

LRFD Method
 46
Example 4.1

Select a 30 ft long W12 section of A992 steel to support a tensile service

dead load PD = 130 k and a tensile service live load PL = 110 k. As
shown in Fig. 4.1, the member is to have two lines of bolts in each
flange for 7/8 in bolts (at least three in a line 4 in on centre).
Example 4.1, solution 47
Example 4.1, solution, cont. 48

Assume that U = 0.85 from Table 3.2, Case 7, and assume that flange
thickness is about 0.38 in after looking at W12 section in LRFD
Manual which have area of 7.38 in2 or more. U = 0.85 was assumed
since bf appears to be less than 2/3d.
Example 4.1, solution, checking 49
Example 4.1, solution, cont. 50
Example 4.1, solution, cont. 51
 52
Example 4.2
Design a 9-ft single-angle tension member to support a dead tensile
working load of 30 k and a live tensile working load of 40 k. The
member is to connected to one leg only with 7/8-in bolts (at least
four in a line 3 in on centre). Assume that only one bolt is to be

located any one cross section. Use A36 steel with Fy = 36 ksi and

Fu = 58 ksi.
Example 4.2, solution, cont. 53
54
 55
Example 4.2, checking cont.
 56
Built-up Tension Members

Sections D4 and J3.5 of the AISC provide information.

1. Longitudinal spacing of connectors  24 *thickness or 12 in. if painted or

not in corrosive conditions.
2. For corrosive cond. 14* thickness or 7 in.

3. Slenderness ratio (L/r) of the individual shapes between the fasteners

does not exceed 300.

4. The distance from bolts centres to the nearest edge  12*thickness, or

6 in.

5. Spacing of connectors are give in Section J3.3-J3.5 of the AISC.

 57
Example 4.3

The two C12 x 30s shown in Fig. 4.2 have been selected to
support a dead tensile working load of 120 k and a 240 k
live tensile working load. The member is 30 ft long, consist
of A36 steel, and has one line of three 7/8 in bolts in each
channel flange 3 in on centre. Using the AISC specification,
determine whether the member is satisfactory and design
the necessary Tie Plates. Assume centres of bolts holes are
1.75 in from the back of the channels.
Figure 4.2 Built-up section for
58
Example 4-3.
 59
Example 4.3, cont.
 60
Example 4.3, cont.
 61
Example 4.3, cont.
Example 4.3, cont. 62
Example 4.3, cont. 63
 64
Rods and Bars
Nominal tensile design stress, Fnt, is given in Table J3.2 and equals 0.75 Fu.

Rod gross area, AD, computed with the diameter to outer extremity of the
thread. See the manual, Table 7-18.
 65
Example 4.4

Using the AISC Specifications, select standard threaded Rod of A36 steel
to support a tensile working dead load of 10 k and tensile working live
load of 20 k.
 66
Example 4.4, solution, cont.
 Sag Rod 67

A tension member used to

limit the deflection of a
girt or purlin in the
direction of its weak
axis or to limit the sag in
angle bracing.