3 Axially Loaded Members

Introduction

The design of axially loaded members considers any member where the applied loading
induces either axial tension or axial compression. Members subject to axial forces most
frequently occur in bracing systems, pin-jointed trusses, lattice girders or suspension
systems, as shown in Figure 3 .1

Wind bracing
members

Transmission tower Industrial frame- Bracing elements

Suspension cables

Cable-stayed bridge

Figure 3.1

Frequently, in structural frames, sections are subjected to combined axial and bending
effects which may be caused by eccentric connections, wind loading or rigid-frame action.
In most cases in which UB and UC sections are used as columns in buildings, they are
subjected to combined axial and bending effects. The design of such members is discussed
and illustrated in Chapter 4.
The types of section used for axially loaded members range from rolled uniform beams,
columns and hollow sections to threaded bars, flat plates and wire ropes.
The following discussion relates primarily to pin-jointed structures which comprise the
majority of structures with members subject to axial loads only.

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W. M. C. M°Kenzie, Design of Structural Steelwork to BS 5950 and C-EC3
© W.M.C. M°Kenzie 1998
 Axially Loaded Members 87
3.2 Pin-jointed Frames

The use of beams and plate girders as discussed in Chapters 2 and 6 does not always
provide the most economic or suitable structural solution when spanning large openings. In
buildings which have lightly loaded long span roofs, when large voids are required within
the depth of roof structures for services, when plate girders are impractical, or for
aesthetic/architectural reasons, the use of roof trusses or lattice girders may be more
appropriate.
Trusses are frequently used as secondary structural elements to distribute wind loading
to the foundations, as temporary bracing during construction and for torsional and lateral
stability.
Roof trusses and lattice girders are open-web flexural members which transmit the
effects of loads applied within their spans to support points by means of bending and shear.
In the case of beams, the bending and shear is transmitted by inducing bending moments
and shear forces in the cross-sections of structural members. Trusses and lattice girders,
however, generally transfer their loads by inducing axial tensile or compressive forces in the
individual members. The form of a truss is most economic when the arrangement is such
that most members are in tension.
The magnitude and sense of these forces can be determined using standard methods of
analysis such as the method of sections, joint resolution, tension coefficients, graphical
techniques or the use of computer software.
The arrangement of the internal framing of a roof truss depends upon its span. Rafters
are norn1ally divided into equal panel lengths and ideally the loads are applied at the node
points by roof purlins. Purlin spacing is dependent on the form of roof cladding that is used
and is usually based on manufacturers' data sheets. In instances where the purlins do not
coincide with the node points, the main members (i.e. the rafters, or the top and bottom
booms of lattice girders) are also subjected to local bending which must be allowed for in
the design.
The internal structure of trusses should be such that, where possible, the long members
are ties (in tension), while the short members are struts (in compression). In long span
trusses the main ties are usually cambered to offset the visual sagging effects of the
deflection.
In very long span trusses, e.g. 60 metres, it is not usually possible to maintain a constant
slope in the rafter owing to problems such as additional heating requirements caused by the
very high ridge height. This problem can be overcome by changing the slope to provide a
mansard-type truss in which the slope near the end of the truss is very steep," while it is
shallower over the rest ofthe span.
A few examples of typical pitched roof trusses are illustrated in Figure 3.2. Lattice
girders are generally trusses with parallel top and bottom chords (known as booms) with
internal web bracing members. In long span construction they are very useful since their
relatively small span/depth ratio (typically 1110 to 1/14) gives them an advantage over
pitched rooftrusses.