T hese are found predominantly as members of pla

trusses (2D & 3D), as members in transmission towers and as wi

bracing (single or double) for single story or high rise steel structu
Among the common shapes used as tension members:
Round bar Flat bar Angle Double angle

Channel Double Latticed W-section

channel channels (wide-flange)

Cross-section of typical tension members.

members of plane or space
wers and as wind
se steel structures.

Double angle Starred angle

S-section Built-up box

(American sections
Standard)
ion members. T-1
The strength of a tension member is controlled by the l
of the following limiting states:
T
Net Gross
Area (A n ) Area (A g )
A) Yielding of the Gross Area (A g ):

F n =F y A g

B) Failure (Ultimate strength) on the Net Area (A

F n =F u A e

Where A e = effective net Area = UA

U = Reduction Coefficient.
C) Block Shear Failure through the end bolt:
led by the lowest

n ):

T
T-2
A hole is drilled (or punched) by 1/16 inch greater then
the normal diameter of the fastener (rivet or bolt). Hole
punching causes some damage to the edges of the
hole to the amount of 1/32 inch from each side.
Thus the equivalent hole diameter
bolt diameter 1 1
### ###
bolt dia. ###
inch.
###
inch greater then
vet or bolt). Hole
e edges of the
ach side.

1
32

T-3
Example (T1):
What is the netn area A for the tension member
as shown in the
? figure
Plate 1 4 (inches)
4
T
Solution: A
= 4(0.25)
Width = 1.0
to be sq in. for hole
deducted
A
=
7[W 0.25


or the tension member

Standard Hole for a 3 -in. diam bolt.

4
T

34


0.78sq.in.
T-4
For a group of staggered holes along the tension direc
must determine the line that produces smallest Net Ar
EFFECT OF STAGGERED HOLES ON NET AREA :-

A
Paths of failure T T
on netabove
In the sectiondiagram: B (a)
p = Pitch or spacing along bolt line
s = Stagger Between two adjacent bolt lines
(usually s = P/2)
g = gage distance transverse to the loading.
In case (a) above : A n = (Gross width hole dia.) . t

In case (b) above : A n = (Gross width hole dia.+ s

e tension direction, one
mallest Net Area.

A
p p
T g T
p C Bs (b)

hole dia.) . t
hole dia.+ s 2 /4g) . t T-5