CHAPTER # 2

DESIGN OF TENSION
MEMBERS
2/2
Book by:
Formatted by:

Prof. Dr
Prof
Dr. Zahid Ahmad SIDDIQI
Dr. Nauman KHURRAM

Department of Civil Engineering

U i
University
it off Engineering
E i
i & Technology
T h l
Lahore
1

Example 2.4: Using LRFD procedure, investigate the

shear rupture failure mode for the angle L 102 x 102 x 6.4
64
attached with three 20 mm diameter rivets to a 10 mm
gusset p
g
plate,, as shown in the Figure
g
2.14. The material is
A36 steel.

38 76

76

T
b

38
c
Figure 2.14. Shear Rupture Failure
of Angle Section.
2

Solution:
Capacity of Section:
Yielding of gross section

t Fy Ag = 0.9 250 1250 / 1000 = 281.25 kN

Fracture in net section

t Fu Ae = 0.754000.60{1250(20
{
( + 3)(6.4)}/1000
)( )}
= 198.5 kN

t Tn = 198.5 kN

U = 0.6, For angle section with 3 fastener in a row

3

Block Shear Failure Along Path abc:

Agv

= (76 + 76 + 38)(6.4)

= 1216 mm2

Anv

= 1216 (2.5)(20 + 3)(6.4)

= 848 mm2

Ant

= 243.2 ((0.5)(20
)( + 3)(6.4)
)( )

= 169.6 mm2

Ubs

= 1.0

Rn = lesser of
1
1.

[0.6
[0 6 Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant]
= 0.75/1000 [0.6 400 848 + 1.0 400 169.6]
= 203.52 kN
4

2
2.

[0.6
[0 6 Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant]
= 0.75/1000 [0.6 250 1216 + 1.0 400 169.6]
= 187.68 kN

Rn = 187.68
187 68 kN
Hence, block shear failure is the governing limit state and
factored capacity of the member is reduced from 198.5 kN
t 187.68
to
187 68 kN due
d tto it.
it

DESIGN PROCEDURE/DESIGN FLOW CHART

Known Data:
Service or working loads, TD, TL, and TW, etc. and
length of member, L
Find factored tension ((Tu) in LRFD method and service
tension (Ta) in ASD method using load combinations.
For example, Tu = 1.2 TD + 1.6 TL for gravity loads
alone

Find Areq as the bigger out of that required for yielding

in the gross section and fracture in the net section.
LRFD
Areq. for riveted members
= larger of

Tu (in kN ) 1000
0.9 Fy

and

Tu (in kN ) 1000
0.75 Fu U R

ASD
Areq. for
f riveted
i t d members
b
g of
= larger

Ta (in kN ) 1670
and
Fy

Ta (in kN ) 2000
Fu U R
7

where, any reasonably assumed value of U may be considered

and R is the assumed ratio of An with respect
p to Ag.
Areq. for welded members
=

Tu (in kN ) 1000
0.9 Fy

Ta (in kN ) 1670
(ASD)
Fy

(LRFD),

bmin. = 3.25d + 18 50 mm or (2.5d + 16 50 mm)

bmin. = L /40
/40,
F member
For
b with
i h L = 2 to 3 m
bmin for welded members may be kept equal to 50 mm
Diameter
i
off rivet
i d may be
b assumed
d as 15mm if not known
k
8

Selection of Trial Section:

It depends on the
following four criteria:

A.

Asel Areq.

B
B.

Section
S
ti should
h ld be
b off minimum
i i
weight
i ht andd
smaller size.

C.

Connected leg width bmin.

D.

Compatibility
p
y of connections with other
members is to be provided.

Check Tensile Capacity: Find actual values of U and An

if rivet pattern and diameter of rivets are known from
connection design.
LRFD
Yielding of gross section

t Tn = 0.90 Fy Asel / 1000

Tu

(OK)

t Tn = 0.75 Fu U An / 1000 Tu

(OK)

Fracture in net section

10

ASD
Yielding of gross section
Tn / t = Fy Asel / 1670

Ta

(OK)

Tn / t = Fu U An / 2000

Ta

(OK)

Fracture in net section

Calculate rx, ry and rz for built-up sections or directly

note these values from tables for hot rolled sections.

11

Find rmin

smallest of rx, ry and rz

Check Maximum Preferable Slenderness Ratio:

/ rmin

300

(OK)

Otherwise, make the decision that whether the

preferable limit is to be exceeded.
Check Fatigue Strength:
If loading cycles > 20,000 increase the section
accordingly
12

Design Lacing: Decide spacing of stay plates

or arrangement and sizes of lacing in case of
built-up sections.
For finding spacing of stay plates, maximum
slenderness ratio of individual elements may
b equated
be
d to the
h maximum
i
allowed
ll
d
slenderness ratio that is 300.

End
Tie
Plate

End Tie Plate Size:

Mi i
Minimum
l th
length

= 2/3 s

Minimum thickness

= s / 50
13

where s is the distance between the lines of welds or

fasteners on the two components of the built-up
built up section.
section
The longitudinal spacing of welds or fasteners at tie
plates should not exceed 150 mm.
mm
Design the Connections:

Check Block Shear Failure: The block shear strength

must be checked at the connection,
connection if the connection
details are available.
Write the final selection very clearly
14

Example 2.5:
2 5: Calculate the factored load capacity of
a double channel section member of A36 steel according
to AISC LRFD Specification.
p
The member is 5m longg
and consists of 2Cs 200 20.5, with flanges turned out
and with clear gap of 100 mm. Assume that there can be
as many as two 15 mm rivets at any one cross-section
(one in each flange). U 0.80.
Solution:
Ag = 2 2610 = 5220 mm2 ; U = 0.80 ;
L = 5 m ; clear gap = 100 mm, tTn = ?
15

An

= Ag n(d + 3)tf
= 2 [2610 2 (15 + 3) 9.9]
= 4507.2 mm2

tTn =

100mm

lesser of

1. t Fy Ag / 1000
= 0.90250(22610) / 1000 = 1174.5 kN
2. t Fu U An / 1000
= 0.754000.804507.2/1000 = 1081.7 kN

tTn = 1081.7 kN
16

Iy about individual centroid = 63.7 104 mm4,

Centroid location
location, x = 14 mm
mm,
rx = 75.9
75 9 mm
Iy (builtup) = [63.7 104 + 2610 (50 + 14)2] 2
= 2265.5
2265 5 104 mm4
ry =

2265.5 10 4
2 2610

= 65.88 mm

rmin = ry = 65.88 mm
L / r = 5000 / 65.88 = 75.9 < 300 (OK)
bf = 59mm > bmin = 2.5(15)+16
( )
= 53.5 mm ((OK))
Loading cycles are assumed to be less than 20,000 and
hence no reduction in strength due to fatigue is considered.
The factored tensile capacity is 1081.7 kN
17

Example 2.6:

Select a W-section to resist a dead tensile load of

1020 kN and a service tensile live load of 680 kN
using A36 steel and AISC LRFD Specification.
The member is to be 9m long and is to be
connected through its flanges only. Assume that
there can be as many as four 20mm rivets at any
one cross-section (two in each flange). Fasteners
per line are at least three and bf of the W-section
may be assumed to be lesser than 2/3 d for the
initial calculation of shear lag factor.
18

Solution:
TD = 1020 kN ; TL = 680 kN ; L = 9 m
Tu = 1.2 TD + 1.6 TL = 2312 kN
Areq = larger of
Tu 1000 23121000
= 10,276 mm2

0.9 Fy
0.9 250

and

Tu
23121000
2

2 = 10,667 mm
0.75Fu U R 0.754000.85

Areq

= 10,667
,
mm2
19

bmin = 3.25
3 25 d + 18 = 3.25(20)
3 25(20) + 18 83 mm
(the web does not have bolts).
Approx. minimum flange width required = 83 2
= 166 mm
Options
O
ti
for
f selection
l ti off section:
ti
W200 x 86
A = 11,000 mm2
W310 x 86
A = 11,000
11 000 mm2
W410 x 85
A = 10,800 mm2
Weight
g is relativelyy lesser for this
section but the depth is excessively
large.
20

21

Trial section:

W200 x 86

= 11,000 mm2

bf

= 209 mm ,

tf

= 20.6
20 6 mm

rx

= 92.7 mm ,

ry

= 53.3 mm

tw

= 13 mm

Projected
j
flange
g = 209 / 2
= 104.5 mm > bmin

(OK)

Capacity Check:
bf / d = 209 / 222 = 0.941 > 2/3

22

In the absence of the detailed connection details, the AISC

specification and the table in Reference-1 (Page 98) gives
the efficiency factor as U = 0.9.
An

= Ag n (d + 3) tf
= 11,000
11 000 4(20 + 3)(20
3)(20.6)
6) = 99,105
105 mm2

t Tn = 0.90 Fy Asel
= 0.9 x 250 x 11,000/1000 = 2,475 kN > Tu

t Tn = 0.75
0 75 Fu U An
= 0.75 x 400 x 0.9 x 9,105/1000
= 2,458
2 458 kN > Tu
(OK)
23

rmin

= smaller of rx and ry = 53.3

53 3 mm

L / rmin

91000
=
= 168.8
168 8 < 300
53.3

(OK)

Loading cycles are assumed lesser than 20,000,

20 000 if not
given.
Design
D
i connections.
i
Block
Bl k shear
h cannot be
b checked
h k d
until the connection design is available.

Final Selection:

W200 x 86
24

GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR

SELECTION OF SECTIONS
The type of connections used for the structure often
affects the choice of member type.
yp
It is very difficult to apply bolts/rivets between some
steel sections and the required gusset plates,
plates while the
same sections may easily be welded to the gusset plates.
For example,
F
l plate-members
l t
b
are to
t be
b welded
ld d to
t other
th
members in most the cases when the two plates are lying
perpendicular to each other.
other
25

The designer
g
should select members such that connections
to other members in the structure are easy.
More parts of the section as far as possible are connected
at the end to improve joint efficiency and to obtain a
compact arrangement.
Most commonly, W-sections have gusset plates on both
sides of the section connected with the flanges.
g
Filler plates are to be used if depths of the joining sections
are different.
different
Gusset plates present within the two angles connect
d bl angles.
double
l
26

DESIGN OF ZERO FORCE MEMBER

Sometimes zero-force
zero force members are required for
internal stability of frame, for minor loads like fans,
false ceiling, etc., for future changes in loading, and for
temperature effects.
These may also the used to reduce effective lengths of
other members.
Section
S
ti is
i selected
l t d for
f these
th
members
b
k i in
keeping
i view
i
the following:

27

1.

Preferably slenderness ratio equal to limiting

maximum
i
value
l
f
for
compression
i
members
b
i
is
maintained, which is equal to 200.
Using this criterion if the size becomes excessive,
slenderness ratio of tension members may be
provided.
provided
However, if still the section is excessively bigger, a
section
i comparable
bl with
i h other
h truss members
b may
be used.

2.

Connected legs should have a preferable width

greater than or equal to the minimum width
required
i d for
f proper connection.
i
28

3.

If the zero force member is a topp or bottom chord

member, continue the same section as present in
the adjoining panel.

MEMBERS UNDER STRESS REVERSAL

The maximum factored tensile and compressive forces
acting at different time instants due to different load
combinations may be represented by the following
notation:
Tu = magnitude of ultimate tensile factored force.
Pu = magnitude of factored compressive force.
29

There are three possibilities of design based on the relative

magnitudes of Tu and Pu, as explained in the following
cases:
Case 1.
Tu < Pu and Welded Connections
OR Tu < 0.75P
0 75Pu and Riveted / Bolted Connections
Neglect the tensile force and design the member as pure
compression member.
Case 2.
Pu < 10% of Tu
and (KL/r)max = 300
p
fforce mayy be ignored
g
and the member is
The compressive
designed as a pure tension member.
30

Case 3.
Tu > (1 + 0.015 L2) Pu
Where, L = length of member in meters.
The member may be designed for a tension of Tu.
However, during the capacity check, it is made sure that the
compression capacity cPn is greater than or equal to Pu.
It is better to keep the slenderness ratio up to 200 for these
members.
Case 4.
If the conditions of Case-1
Case 1 and Case-3
Case 3 are not satisfied
satisfied, the
section is to be designed for Pu as a compression member.
greater than or equal
q to Tu.
It is checked later that tTn is g
31

Note: The factored force may be replaced with the service

f
force
in
i case off allowable
ll
bl stress design
d i (ASD).
(ASD)

Example 2.7
Design
D
i
th member
the
b
off a rooff truss
t
using
i
LRFD
procedure carrying a factored compressive force (Pu) of
450 kN and a factored tensile force (Tu) of 840 kN; L =
6m. Built-up section consisting of two channels back to
back with a total width of 300 mm is to be used. Check
the member under stress reversal.
Welded connections are to be used.
32

Solution:
Pu = 450 kN
Tu = 840 kN
(1 + 0.015 L2) Pu = (1.54) (450) = 693 kN
Tu > ((1 + 0.015 L2) Pu
Design first as a tension member and then check for Pu
((Case 2).
)
For welded connections,
Areq

Tu 1000 8401000

=
= 3733 mm2
0.9 Fy
0.9250

3733
Areq for one channel =
= 1867 mm2
2
33

bmin = 50 mm for welded connections

Options available:

1. C 150 15.6
2. MC 310 15.8

Trial section: 2Cs 150 15.6 ((Figure

g
2.16))
A
= 1990 mm2
34

d = 152mm ,
bf = 51mm ,
x = 12.7 mm
Ix = 633 104 mm4 ;
Iy = 36.0
36 0 104 mm4
rx = 56.4 mm ; ry = 13.4 mm
Capacity Check:

tTn = 0.9 Fy Asel

c.g.

= 0.9 250 (2 1990) / 1000

= 895.5 kN > Tu

tTn = 0.75
0 75 Fu U An

(OK)

x
Figure 2.16. Location of centroid
for a channel Section.

= 0.75 400 1.0 (21990)/1000

= 1194 kN > Tu
(OK)
35

Approximate rx and ry: (using Reference-1, Page 102)

rx = 0.36 h = 0.36(152) = 55 mm
ry = 0.60
0 60 b = 0.60(300
0 60(300 251) = 118.8
118 8 mm
551

152

300
Figure 2.17.Built-Up
2 17 Built-Up Section Made
By Two Channels.
36

Exact rx & ry (preferable and a must for final trial):

Referring to Figure 2.17,
rx = 56.4
56 4 mm as ffor a single
i l section
ti
Iy = 2 36.0 104 + 2 1990 (150 51 + 12.7)2
= 5038 104 mm4
ry =

5038 10 4
= 112.5 mm
2 1990

rmin

= 56.4
56 4 mm

L / rmin.
min

6 1000
=
= 106.4 < 200
56.4

((OK))
37

Design of Lacing:
Check For Compressive
p
Strength:
g
These parts will be completed after doing the
next chapter.
Loading cycles are assumed less than 20,000
20 000
Design
g Connections

38

ASSIGNMENT FOR
TENSION MEMBER DESIGN

39