C E 4 1 9 B

PRINCIPLES OF STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN

T E N S I O N M E M B E R S

ENGR. ISAIAH SAM I. BARTOLOME

College of Engineering
Adamson University
 TODAY’S DISCUSSION

01. TENSILE STRENGTH 02. SHEAR LAG

 01
TENSILE STRENGTH
 TENSILE STRENGTH

TENSION MEMBERS
• Tension members are structural elements that are subjected to axial tensile
forces.
• Examples:

Cables in suspension or
Truss members Bracing for buildings and bridges
cable stayed bridges

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

TENSION MEMBERS
• Cross-sectional configurations
• Circular rods
• Rolled angle shapes
• Combination or built-up shapes Built-up shapes are so
widespread and so tables
of properties of various
combinations of angles are
included in the AISC Steel
Construction Manual.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

TENSION MEMBERS
The stress in an axially loaded tension member is given by:
𝑃
𝑓=
𝐴
where:
P = magnitude of load
A = cross-sectional area

• The stress is exact provided that the cross-section is not adjacent to the point of
application of the load.
• The stress is a function of the particular section if the cross-sectional area varies along
the length of the member.
• In the presence of holes, the area will be reduced by an amount equal to the area
removed by the holes.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Tension members are frequently connected at their ends with bolts.

• The tension member is connected to a

gusset plate, which is a connection element
whose purpose is to transfer the load from
the member to a support or to another
member.
• The area of the plate at section b-b is the
reduced area referred to as the net area.
• The area of the plate at section a-a is the
unreduced area referred to as the gross
area.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Tensile Strength
The tension member can fail by reaching one of the two limit states:
1. Excessive deformation – to prevent excessive deformation, the stress on the gross
section must be less than the yield stress, Fy.
𝒇 ≤ 𝑭𝒚

2. Rupture or fracture – to prevent rupture, the stress on the net section must be less than
the tensile strength, Fu.
𝒇 ≤ 𝑭𝒖

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Tensile Strength
Nominal strength in yielding is:
𝑷𝒏 = 𝑭𝒚 𝑨𝒈

Nominal strength in fracture is:

𝑷𝒏 = 𝑭𝒖 𝑨𝒆

where:
Pn = nominal strength
Fy = yield strength
Fu = ultimate tensile strength
Ag = gross area
Ae = effective net area

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

LRFD ASD
The factored tensile load is compared to The total service load is compared to the
design strength. allowable strength (allowable load).
𝑃𝑛
𝑃𝑎 ≤
𝑃𝑢 ≤ 𝜙𝑡 𝑃𝑛 Ω𝑡
𝜙𝑡 = 0.9 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 Ω𝑡 = 1.67 𝑦𝑖𝑒𝑙𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔
𝜙𝑡 = 0.75 𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒 Ω𝑡 = 2.0 (𝑓𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑒)
where:
where: Pa = service load
Pu = factored load 𝑃𝑛
= allowable strength
Ω𝑡
φtPn = design strength
φt = resistance factor Ω𝑡 = safety factor

Values of Fy and Fu for various structural steel shapes are provided in the steel manual.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Tensile Strength
The diameter of the bolt hole must be made slightly larger than the bolt
diameter (NSCP 2015).
𝑑𝑏 + 2𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑏 < 24𝑚𝑚
𝑑ℎ𝑜𝑙𝑒 ቊ
𝑑𝑏 + 3𝑚𝑚 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑏 ≥ 24𝑚𝑚

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Example 1
A 12.5 mm x 125 mm plate of A36 steel (Fy = 248 MPa and Fu = 400 MPa) is
used as a tension member. It is connected to a gusset plate with 4-16 mm φ
bolts as shown. Assume that the effective net area, Ae, equals the actual net
area, An.
a. What is the design strength for LRFD?
b. What is the design strength for ASD?

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Example 2
A single tension member L90 x 90 x 10 (Ag = 1,713 mm2) is connected to a
gusset plate with 22 mm φ bolts as shown. A36 steel (Fy = 248 MPa and Fu =
400 MPa) is used. The service loads are DL = 155 kN and LL = 66 kN. Investigate
this member for compliance with the AISC. Assume that the effective net area
is 85% of the computed net area.
a. Use LRFD
b. Use ASD

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 TENSILE STRENGTH

Example 3
A double angle shape is shown in the figure. (Ag = 1,549 mm2). The steel is A36
steel (Fy = 248 MPa and Fu = 400 MPa) and the holes are for 12 mm φ bolts.
Assume that Ae = 0.75An.
a. Determine the design tensile strength for LRFD.
b. Determine the allowable tensile strength for ASD.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 02
SHEAR LAG
 SHEAR LAG

Shear Lag
• Shear lag is considered as the most important factor that contributes to the
reduction of the effectiveness of the member.
• Shear lag occurs when some elements of the cross section are not
connected.
• Connected elements become overloaded and the unconnected part is not
fully stressed.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Effective Area
Shear lag can be accounted by using a reduced or effective net area.
For bolted connections:
𝐴𝑒 = 𝐴𝑛 𝑈
For welded connections:
𝐴𝑒 = 𝐴𝑔 𝑈

where:
Ae = effective area
An = net area
Ag = gross area
U = reduction factor

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Rules for Determining U

1. A general category for any type of tension member except plates and round
HSS with 𝑙 ≥ 1.3𝐷.
𝑥ҧ
𝑈 =1−
𝑙

where:
𝑥ҧ = distance from the centroid of the connected area to the plane of
the connection
l = length of connection in the direction of the load

If a member has two symmetrically located planes of connection, 𝑥ҧ is

measured from the centroid of the nearest one-half of the area.
Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University
 SHEAR LAG

Distance from the centroid of the connected area to the plane of the
connection 𝑥ҧ of the different connections.

If a member has two symmetrically located planes of connection, 𝑥ҧ is

measured from the centroid of the nearest one-half of the area.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Length 𝑙 for bolted connections is measured from the center of the bolt at one
end of the connection to to the center of the bolt to the other end.

Length 𝑙 for welds is measured from one end of the weld to the other. Average
weld lengths is taken if there are weld segments of different lengths in the
direction of the load.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Rules for Determining U

2. Bolted plates
For bolted plates, U = 1.0

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Rules for Determining U

3. Welded members
a. When the load is transmitted by transverse welds only (no longitudinal
welds), U = 1.0 and An is the area of the connected element.
b. When the load is transmitted by longitudinal welds only (no transverse
welds)
𝑙 ≥ 2𝑤 U = 1.0
2𝑤 > 𝑙 ≥ 1.5𝑤 U = 0.87
1.5𝑤 > 𝑙 ≥ 𝑤 U = 0.75

where:
w = width of the member

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Rules for Determining U

6. Alternatives to Case 1 for W, M, S, HP, or tees cut from these shapes.
• Connected through the flange with three or more fasteners in the direction
of loading, with width at least 2/3 of the depth: U = 0.90.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Rules for Determining U

6. Alternatives to Case 1 for W, M, S, HP, or tees cut from these shapes.
• Connected through the flange with three or more fasteners in the direction of loading,
with width less than 2/3 of the depth: U = 0.85.
• Connected through the web with four or more fasteners in the direction of loading: U =
0.70.

• For bolted splice plates, An ≤ 0.85 Ag (NSCP Sec. 504.3.2)

• For open cross-sectional plates (such as W, M, S, etc), the value U need not be less than the ratio of the
connected element gross area to the total gross area.
Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University
 SHEAR LAG

Rules for Determining U

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Example 1
Determine the effective net area for the tension member shown.
a. Using the effective area formula for Case 1
b. Using alternative value of U

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

 SHEAR LAG

Example 2
For the tension member welded as shown, determine the effective net area if
Ag = 3,483 mm2.

Engr. Isaiah Sam I. Bartolome Adamson University

Thank You!