Analysis of Tension Members

Chapter D

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Tension Members in Structures

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

1
 Tension Members in Structures

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Introduction
• Tension members:
• Bridge and roof trusses
• Bracing system
• Towers
• Tie rods

• Simplest design problem:

• No buckling

What are the steps?

 Determine the load
 The area required to support the load
 Steel section that provides the required area
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

2
Various types of tension members

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Examine typical stress-strain curve

•Average stress over cross

section equals Fy
Specimen elongates freely

•Average stress over the

original cross equals Fu
Specimen necks down at
smallest section and fractures

• 3 Limit States (Failure Modes)

»Yield of cross section Fy Ag
»Fracture of net section Fu Ae
»Block shear fracture

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

3
 Yield of Gross section
• Yield of Gross section

Φ Pn = Φ Fy Ag
Φ = 0.9

• Large φ = 0.9: predictable phenomenon: little variation in

behavior
• Gross Area : Ag : Yield stress occur over the gross area
• Yield stress: Fy : Concern about excessive elongation (not
fracture)

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

• Tension member PL t”xw”x10’

P Gusset PL welded to member

W
Gross Area= Ag =W. t
10’

P CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

4
 σ Stress- Strain Curve for Steel Used for Tension Member

Fu
Assume:
Fy εy = 0.001
εSH= 0.02
εU= 0.15
εfr= 0.25
εy εSH εU εfracture ε
P Apply Load P
L= 120”
AgFu

AgFy

Excessive elongation P= AgFu

Can not be achieved in most
structure practically.
∆y ∆SH ∆U ∆Fr
120” x 0.001 120” x 0.02 120” x 0.15 120” x 0.25 ∆
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures
=0.12” =2.4” =18” =30”

Fracture of Net Section

• Fracture of Net Section

Φ Pn = Φ Fu Ae
Φ= 0.75

• Small φ = 0.75: Unpredictable behavior

• Net effective area: Ae: local necking and fracture occur at the
smallest area of cross section
• Tensile strength: Fu : Concern about necking down and
tensile fracture

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

5
 Net Area
• Tension member PL t”xW”x10’

P Gusset PL bolted to member

t Gross Area= Ag =W. t

W
d d
10’
t Net Area= An =W. t – 2 d.t
W
W d= hole diameter

Net area: gross area minus any holes, notches or other indentations

P CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Gross area and net area resist the same axial force P

d d
p
t t
σgross =
Ag W W

p Ag > An σnet > σgross

σnet = • Net area will yield/ fracture prior to gross area.
An
P
• Yielding of net area occur over AnFu
a very short length (2”).
• Little deformation due to yielding AnFy
of the net Section. Not considered
to be failure mode.

The peak strength of fracture can be achieved ∆y ∆U ∆
2” x 0.001 2” x 0.15
without excessive deformation,
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures
=2e-3” =0.3”

6
 Block Shear Fracture
• Block Shear Fracture
– Fracture by tearing out a block of material of
the member end

• The Shaded part may shear out.

• Discuses later

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Net Area (B4-3b 16.1-18)

• Example 1: Determine the net area of the PL 3/8 X 8 in.
Two Lines of ¾ - in bolt.

The common and least expensive method is to punch standard holes 1/16 inlarger than the diameter of the rivet or bolt.
Here we adds 1/8 in for all standards bolt holes.

Ag= (3/8)(8)= 3 in2 Ah= = ((3/4)+(1/8)) (3/8) =21/64in2

An= Ag - 2Ah = 2.34 in2

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

7
 Staggered Holes
• More than one failure possibility when we have more than one hole
and they are not lined up transverse to the loading direction.
• The smallest value of net area is controlling failure line.

• LRFD method for computing the net width of a

tension member along a zigzag section (V.H.
Chochrane):
• The method is to take the gross width of the member
• Subtract the diameter of the holes along the zigzag section
• Add for each inclined line the quantity by:
S2
4g
S= longitudinal center-to-center spacing (pitch) of any two
holes(parallel to loading).

G= transverse center–to-center spacing (gage) between fastener

gage lines.

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Example2 : Plate: 1/2-in

bolt: 3/4- in
Determine the critical net area?

S= 3 in
g = 3 in and 6 in
S2 32
4g (1/2) = (1/2) = 3/8 or 3/16
(4)(3 or 6)
Ag= (11)(1/2)=(11/2) in2
Ah= ((3/4)+(1/8)) (1/2)= 7/16 in2

ABCD = Ag- 2Ah =4.63 in2

ABCEF = Ag- 3Ah + S2 (1/2) =4.56 in2
4g
ABEF = Ag- 2Ah + S2 (1/2) =4.81 in2
4g
Shorter rout + mores holes
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

8
 Staggered Holes for Angles
• Holes for bolted (rivets) are drilled (punched) in steel angles
at certain standard locations. Depend angle- leg widths
– Table 1-7A, p.1-48

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

bolt: 15/16- in
• Example3 : Add 1/16- in
Determine the critical net area?

ABCD = Ag- 2Ah

= 4.72 -2(15/16 +1/16)(1/2)
= 3.72 in2
g1
S2
ABECD = Ag- 3Ah + ∑ (1/2)
4g g2 g2
= 4.72 -3(15/16 +1/16)(1/2)
+[ 32 + 32 ](1/2)
(4)(2.5) (4)(4.25)
= 3.94 in2 g2 (when holes are staggered on two legs of an angle) is obtained by
using a length between the centers of the holes measured along
the CEE
centerline of theof angle
451 Design thickness. 2 ½ + 2 ¼ - ½ = 4.25
Metal Structures

9
 Effective Net Areas
• Smallest section is evaluated for fracture. Φ Pn = Φ Fu Ae
• Yielding used an average stress over total area before significant inelastic
strain can occur.
• However, large stress concentrations occur around bolt holes, slots, and
other irregularities.
• Fracture may be strongly influenced by these stress concentrations and
irregularities. Hence, we correct the net area to a net effective area, Ae,
and use an average fracture stress over Ae.

Ae = the net effective area = U An,g

U, accounts for the stress irregularities (shear lag: the shear transfer
has “lagged”).
 Rules for defining U are in Section D3 and Table D3.1
U is affected by:
the cross section of the member
length of its connection
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

10
 CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Effective Net Areas

• An angle section having connection to one leg only is an example of
such a case.
• For such situations, the tensile force is not uniformly distributed over
the net area,

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

11
 Effective Net Areas
• The main equation for estimating the reduction coefficient:

U =1- X
• Where L
– X = distance from centroid of element being connected eccentrically to
plane of load transfer
– L = length between first and last bolts in line.

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Calculation U for W Section Connected by its Flange

• Assume the W section is split into two structural tees
• X is the distance from the outside edge of the flange to the c.g. of the structural tee.

Calculation U for channel bolted through its web

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

12
Some examples for X and L

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

AISC , Table D3.1, p.16.1-28

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

13
 CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

• Example 4 :
• Determine the LRFD design tensile strength for a W10x45 with two lines of ¾ -in
diameter bolts in each flange using A572 Grade 50 steel, with Fy= 50 Ksi and Fu
=65 Ksi. There are assumed to be at least three bolts in each line 4 in on center,
and the bolts are not staggered with respect to each other.

W 10 x 45: Ag =13.3 in2, d= 10.10 in, bf = 8.02 in, tf = 0.620 in

Gross section yielding : ΦPn = ΦFy Ag =(0.9) (50 ksi)(13.3 in2)=598.5 k

Tensile rupture strength:

An= 13.3 in2 – (4) ( 3/4 in +1/8 in)(0.620 in) = 11.13 in2
WT5x22.5: X = 0.907 in ( y from AISC Table 1-8)
length of connection, L = 2(4 in) = 8 in
Table D3.1, case 2: U = 1- x/L = 1- 0.907/8 = 0.89
But bf =8.02 in > 2/3 d =(2/3)(10.1)=6.73 in Table D3.1,case 7 :U = 0.9
Ae = U An = 0.9 (11.13 in2) =10.02 in2
ΦPn = ΦFu Ae =(0.75) (65 ksi)(10.02 in2)=488.5 k

Ans. LRFD = 488.5 K ( Rupture Controls)

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

14
 Block Shear
• The design strength of a tension member isn't always controlled by:
– Tension yielding
– Tension rupture
– Strength of the bolts/welds
(which the member is
connected)
• It may instead be controlled
by BLOCK SHEAR strength

 The failure may occur along a

path involving tension on one
plane and shear on a
perpendicular plane.

 Block may tear out.

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Block Shear

Block shear failure is a tearing, or rupture, situation not a yielding situation.

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

15
 Failure Due to Block Shear (J4.3)
• When a tensile load applied to a connection is increased, the fracture strength of the
weaker plane will be approached.

• That plane will not fail then because it is restrained by the stronger plane.

• The load can be increase till the fracture strength of the stronger plane is reached.

• During this time, the weaker plane is yielding.

• The total strength of the connection equals the fracture strength of the stronger plane
plus the yield strength of the weaker plane. But this is realistic!!!

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Failure Due to Block Shear

 The member shown, has a larger shear area and a small tensile area.
 The primary resistance to a block shear failure is shearing and not tensile.
 The LRFD assumed, when shear fracture occurs on this large shear-resisting area,
the small tensile area has yielded.

• This Figure, has a large tensile area and a small shear area.
• The main resisting force against a block shear failure will be tensile and not
shearing.
• Thus block shear failure can not happen until
the tensile area fractures.
• At that time shear area has yielded.

16
 AISC, (J4.3) on Block Shear
• The available strength Rn for the block shear rupture design strength is:

Rn= 0.6 Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant ≤ 0.6 Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant

 Agv= gross area subjected to shear

 Anv = net area subjected to shear
 Ant = net area subjected to tension
 Ubs =1 if the tensile stress distribution be uniform (angles, gusset plates, single row
beam connection), otherwise =0.5

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

17
 • Example 5 : Rn= 0.6 Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant ≤ 0.6 Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant
• The A572 Grade 50 (Fu=65ksi) tension member is connected with three ¾ in bolts.
Determine the LRFD block-shear rupture strength and design tensile strength.
– Agv= (10 in) (1/2 in) =5.0 in2
– Anv= [10 in –(2.5)(3/4 in +1/8 in) ]*(1/2in) = 3.91 in2
– Ant = [2.5 in –(1/2)(3/4 in +1/8 in) ]*(1/2in) = 1.03 in2
– Rn = (0.6) (65 Ksi) (3.91 in2) + (1.0) (65 ksi) ( 1.03 in2)= 219.44 K
≤ (0.6) (50 Ksi) (5 in2) + (1.0) (65 ksi) ( 1.03 in2)= 216.954 K
– Rn = 216.95 K
– Block shear strength:
• ΦRn = (0.75)(216.95K ) = 162.7 K
– Nominal tensile strength:
• ΦPn = (0.9)(FyAg ) =
(0.9)(50 Ksi) (4.75 in2) = 213.75 K
– Tensile rupture strength:
• An= 4.75 in2 – (3/4in + 1/8in)(1/2)
= 4.31 in2
L = (2)*(4)= 8 in , u= 1-x/L= 0.88
Ae=U An= (0.88)(4.31 in2)=3.79in2
ΦPn = (0.75)(FuAe ) = 0.75(65 ksi)(3.79 in2) =184.8 k

Use of Tables in AISC

• In table 9-3a-b-c , values of (Φ Fu Ant) ,

(0 .6 Fy Agv) and (0 .6 Fu Anv) are
tabulated per inch of material thickness.

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

18
 Design of Tension Members

Trial and error Process

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Selection of Sections
• Freedom in selecting
– Compactness
• No possibility of local flange or web bucking- No local failure
– Dimensions that fit into the structure with reasonable relation to the
dimensions of the other members
– Connection to as many parts of the sections as possible to minimize
shear lag.

• Choice of member type is affected by the type of connection:

 Bolted structure:
• Angles, Channels and W or S shape
 Welded structure
• plates, Channels and tees

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

19
 Slenderness Ratio
• Slenderness ratio: The ratio of its unsupported
length to its least radius of gyration.
– To ensure the use of section with stiffness sufficient to
• Prevent undesirable lateral deflection
• Prevent undesirable lateral vibration
• Prevent undesirable buckling (During shipping and erection or wind and
earthquake)

• D1. P:16.1-26 (not for Rod)

L
≤ 300
r

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

AISC Specification
• The design strength of a tension member (φ Pn ) is the lesser of
 φ Fy Ag
 φ Fu Ae
 The block shear strength

Pu
– min Ag =
Φ Fy
Pu min Au Pu
– min Ae = min An = =
Φ Fu U Φ FuU
Pu
min Ag = + estimated area of holes
Φ FuU
– The third expression can be evaluated , once a trial shape has been selected
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

20
• Example 6 :
• 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. Two lines of Bolt in each flange 7/8 –in (at least 3 in a line)

a. Load combinations:
Pu = 1.4 D = (1.4)(130 K)= 182 K
Pu = 1.2 D + 1.6 L = (1.2)(130 K) + (1.6)(110 K)= 332 K

b. Computing the min Ag

Pu 332 k
1- min Ag = = = 7.38 in2
Φ Fy (0.9) (50 ksi)

Assume u = 0.85 (bf < 2/3 d) and assume tf = 0.38

Pu
2- min Ag = + estimated hole areas
Φ FuU

min Ag = 332 k + (4) (7/8 + 1/8) (0.38) = 9.53 in2

(0.75) (65 ksi) (0.85)

min Ag = 9.53 in2

c. Preferable minimum r:

L (12 in/ft) (30 ft)

Min r = = = 1.2 in
300 300
Try W12 x35 (Ag = 10.3 in2, d = 12.5in, bf = 6.56in, tf = 0.52 in , rmin = ry = 1.54 in)
Checking:
a. Gross section yielding:
ΦPn = (0.9)(FyAg ) = (0.9)(50 Ksi) (10.3 in2) = 463.5 k > 332 k OK

b. Tensile rupture strength:

From Table 3.2, case 2, x for half of W 12x35 or WT 6x17.5 = 1.3 in
L = (2)*(4)= 8 in
u= 1- (x/L) = 1- (1.3/8) = 0.84
From Table 3.2, case 7,U= 0.85,since bf =6.56 in< 2/3d = (2/3)(12.5 in)= 8.33 in
An= 10.3 in2 – (4)(7/8in + 1/8in)(0.52)= 8.22 in2
Ae=U An= (0.85)(8.22 in2)=6.99in2
ΦPn = (0.75)(FuAe ) = 0.75(65 ksi)(6.99 in2) = 340.7 k > 332 k OK

Ly (12 in/ft) (30 ft)

c. Slenderness ratio: = = 234 < 300 OK
ry 1.54

21
 Built-up tension members

• Section D4 and J3.5

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

• Example 7 :
• Two C12x30s, have been selected to support DL=120 K & LL = 240 k
• The member is 30 ft long (A36), and has a one line of three 7/8 in bolts in
each channel flange 3 in in center. Determine the member is satisfactory
and design the necessary tie plates.
• C12x30 : Ag =8.81 in2, tf = 0.501 in, Ix= 162 in4,
Iy = 5.12 in4, y axis 0.674 in, ry= 0.762in
a. Load to be resisted:
Pu = 1.2 D + 1.6 L = (1.2)(120 K) + (1.6)(240 K)= 528 K
b. Gross section yielding:
ΦPn = (0.9)(FyAg ) = (0.9)(36Ksi) (2x8.81in2)
= 570.9k > 528K OK
C. Tensile rupture strength:
An= 2[8.81 in2 – (2)(7/8in + 1/8in)(0.501in)]= 15.62 in2
u= 1- (x/L) = 1- [0.674/(2X3)] = 0.89 table 3.2 case 2
ΦPn = (0.75)(Fu UAn ) = 0.75(58 ksi)(15.62 in2)(0.89)
= 604.7 k > 528k OK

22
d. Slenderness ratio:
Ix= (2)(162 in4 ) = 324 in4
Iy= (2)(5.12 in4 ) +(2)(8.81in2 )(5.326in) 2 = 510 in4
rx= √(324 in4 / 17.62 in2)= 4.29 in < ry= √(510 in4 / 17.62 in2)= 5.38 in
rmin= rx= 4.29 in
Ly (12 in/ft) (30 ft)
= = 83.9 < 300 OK
rx 4.29 in

Design of tie plates(AISC specification D4 & J3-4)

Distance between lines of bolts = 12.00 –(2)(13/4 in)= 8.50 in
Minimum length of tie plates= (2/3)(8.5 in) = 5.67 in = 6 in (16-1-27)
Minimum thickness of tie plates = (1/50)(8.50 in) = 0.17 in = 3/16 in (16-1-123)
Minimum width of tie plates = 8.50 in + (2)(11/2) = 11.5 in= 12 in
Minimum preferable spacing of tie plates
Least r of one c =0.762 in = ry
Maximum preferable Ly = 300
rx
(12 in/ft) (L ft)
= 300
0.762 in
L= 19.05 ft = 15 ft
Use 3/16 X6X1 ft in tie plate 15 ft in on center

Example 7 Fig

3/16 X6X1 ft

23
 Rods and Bars
• Circular rod are simplest tension members.
• Use frequently in the past but not anymore
– Bad reputation (used improbably)
– Difficulty in connection

• AISC Tabel J3.2

– Rn= Fnt AD = 0.75 Fu AD

Pu
– AD ≥ Φ = 0.75
Φ 0.75 Fu

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

• Example 8 :
• Select a standard threaded rod of A36 steel to support a tensile
working DL of 10 k and a tensile working LL of 20.
• Pu = 1.2 D + 1.6 L = (1.2)(10 K) + (1.6)(20 K)= 44 K

Pu 44 k
AD ≥ = = 1.35 in2
Φ 0.75 Fu (0.75) (0.75) (58)

• Try 1 3/8 in diameter rod from AISC table 7-17 using the gross area of the
rod 1.49 in2.
• Rn = 0.75 Fu AD = (0.75)(58 Ksi)(1.49 in2 )= 64.8 K
• ΦRn = (0.75) (64.8 k)= 48.6 > 44 K OK

• Using 1 3/8 in-diameter rod with 6 threads per in.

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

24
 Connection design
• Connection design will not be covered until the end of
the quarter

• But, tension member design strongly depends upon the

connection design -- Particularly at bolted connections but
sometimes on welded connections

• Essential to follow the tensile force through the member, through

the bolts or welds, and through the connecting element (plate,
adjacent member, or etc)

CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

Review: Tension Members

• Limit states:
– Yield of Cross section:
Φ Pn = Φ Fy Ag Φ = 0.9
– Fracture of net section:
Φ Pn = Φ Fu Ae Φ = 0.75
Ae = u An
An = Ag – holes area + [∑(s2/4g) (t)]

u= 1- (x/L) x = distance from centroid of element being connected eccentrically to plane of load transfer
L = length between first and last bolts in line.
Table D3.1, p.16.1-28

– Block Shear fracture:

Rn= 0.6 Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant ≤ 0.6 Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant Φ = 0.75
Pu
– Design: min Ag =
Φ Fy
Pu
min Ag = + estimated area of holes
Φ FuU
CEE 451 Design of Metal Structures

25