68402: Structural Design of Buildings

II
61420: Design of Steel Structures
62323: Architectural Structures II

Tension Member Design

Monther Dwaikat
Assistant Professor
Department of Building Engineering
An-Najah National University
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Slide # 1

Table of Contents

Typical Tension Members

Introductory Concepts

Design Strength

Effective and Net Areas

Staggered Bolted Connections

Block Shear

Design of Tension Members

Slenderness Requirements
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Slide # 2

Tension Members

Applications

In bridge, roof and floor trusses, bracing systems,

towers, and tie rods

Consist of angles, channels, tees, plates, W or S

shapes, or combinations

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Slide # 3

Typical Tension Members

Tension chord in a
truss
" Tension " Diagonal

Bottom " Tension " Chord

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Slide # 4

Typical Tension Members

Cables

Ties

" Tension" Tie

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Slide # 5

Tension Members

Commonly Used Sections:

W/H shapes
Square and Rectangular or round HSS
Tees and Double Tees
Angles and double angles
Channel sections
Cables
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Slide # 6

Introductory Concepts

Stress: The stress in the column cross-section can be

calculated as
f

P
A

f - assumed to be uniform over the entire cross-section.

P - the magnitude of load
A - the cross-sectional area normal to the load

The stress in a tension member is uniform throughout the

cross-section except:

near the point of application of load

at the cross-section with holes for bolts or other discontinuities, etc.
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Slide # 7

Design Strength
Average Stress distribution

P
A

A A B B

A A

Net Area

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BB
Gross Area

Slide # 8

Introductory Concepts

For example, consider an 200 x 10 mm. bar connected to a

gusset plate & loaded in tension as shown below in Fig. 2.1

Gusset plate
b

Section b-b

20 mm
hole diameter
7/8
in. diameter
hole

a
x 10
8 x200
in.
barmm plate

Section a-a

Fig. 2.1 Example of tension member

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Slide # 9

Introductory Concepts

Area of bar at section a a = 200 x 10 = 2000 mm2

Area of bar at section b b = (200 2 x 20 ) x 10 = 1600

mm2

Therefore, by definition the reduced area of section b b

will be subjected to higher stresses

However, the reduced area & therefore the higher stresses

will be localized around section b b.

The unreduced area of the member is called its gross area

= Ag

The reduced area of the member is called its net area = An

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Slide # 10

Steel Stress-strain Behavior

The stress-strain behavior of steel is shown below in
Fig. 2.2
E = 200 GPa
Fy = 248 MPa

Fu
Fy
Stress, f

Strain,

Fig. 2.2 Stress-strain behavior of steel

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Slide # 11

Steel Stress-strain Behavior

In Fig. 2.2:

E - the elastic modulus = 200 GPa.

Fy the yield stress

Fu - the ultimate stress

the ultimate strain

is the yield strain
Deformations are caused by the strain . Fig. 2.2 indicates that the
y

structural deflections will be small as long as the material is elastic (f

< Fy)

Deformations due to the strain will be large after the steel reaches
its yield stress Fy.
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Slide # 12

Design Strength

We usually determine the strength capacity of any structural

element based on possible scenarios of failure!

Possible failures of a tension member include

Yield of the element

Fracture of element

The stress of axially loaded elements can be determined as

The stress isPtherefore a function of the cross sectional area thus

f
the presence
Aof holes will change the stress.

Bolted connections reduce the area of the cross section.

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Slide # 13

Design Strength

A tension member can fail by reaching one of two limit states:

excessive deformation
fracture

Excessive deformation can occur due to the yielding of the

gross section (for example section a-a from Fig. 2.1) along
the length of the member

Fracture of the net section can occur if the stress at the net
section (for example section b-b in Fig. 2.1) reaches the
ultimate stress Fu.

The objective of design is to prevent these failure before

reaching the ultimate loads on the structure (Obvious).

This is also the load & resistance factor design approach for
designing steel structures
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Slide # 14

Load & Resistance Factor Design

The load & resistance factor design approach is

recommended by AISC for designing steel
structures. It can be understood as follows:

Step

I. Determine the ultimate loads acting on the

structure

The values of D, L, W, etc. are nominal loads (not maximum or

ultimate)

During

its design life, a structure can be subjected to some

maximum or ultimate loads caused by combinations of D, L, or
W loading.

The

ultimate load on the structure can be calculated using

factored load combinations. The most relevant of these load
combinations are given below:
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Slide # 15

Load & Resistance Factor Design

1.4 D
1.2 D + 1.6 L + 0.5 (Lr or S)
1.2 D + 1.6 (Lr or S) + (0.5 L or 0.8 W)
1.2 D + 1.6 W + 0.5 L + 0.5 (Lr or S)
0.9 D + 1.6 W

Step II. Conduct linear elastic structural analysis

Determine the design forces (P u, Vu, & Mu) for each structural member

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Slide # 16

Load & Resistance Factor Design

Step III. Design the members

The failure (design) strength of the designed member must be

greater than the corresponding design forces calculated in

Step II:

Rn

i Qi

Rn - the calculated failure strength of the member

- the resistance factor used to account for the reliability of the

material behavior & equations for Rn
Qi - the nominal load

i - the load factor used to account for the variability in loading & to
estimate the ultimate loading
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Slide # 17

Design Strength of Tension

Members

Yielding of the gross section will occur when the stress f

reaches Fy.
P
f
Fy
Ag

Therefore, nominal yield strength = Pn = Ag Fy

Factored yield strength = t Pn

t = 0.9 for tension yielding limit state

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Slide # 18

Design Strength of Tension

Members

Facture of the net section will occur after the stress on the
net section area reaches the ultimate stress Fu

P
f
Fu
Ae

Therefore, nominal fracture strength = Pn = Ae Fu

Where, Ae is the effective net area, which may be equal to

the net area or smaller.

The topic of Ae will be addressed later.

Factored fracture strength = t Ae Fu

where: t = 0.75 for tension fracture limit state
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Slide # 19

Net Area

We calculate the net area by deducting the width of the

bolts + some tolerance around the bolt

Use a tolerance of 1.6 mm above the diameter hole

which is typically 1.6 mm larger than the bolt diameter

Rule

d Hole

b
t

An

dbolt

dbolt 3.2 mm

b (nholes d hole )

dhole

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Slide # 20

Design Strength

Tensile strength of a section is governed by two limit states:

Yield of gross area (excessive deformation)

Fracture of net area

Thus the design strength is one of the following

Load Effect

Pu

t Pn t Fy Ag

t Pn t Fu An

t
t

0.9

YIELD

0.75 FRACTURE

The difference in the factor for the two limit states represent the

Seriousness of the fracture limit state

The reliability index (probability of failure) assumed with each limit state
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Slide # 21

Important Notes

Why is fracture (& not yielding) the relevant limit state at

the net section?
Yielding will occur first in the net section. However, the
deformations induced by yielding will be localized around the net
section. These localized deformations will not cause excessive
deformations in the complete tension member. Hence, yielding at
the net section will not be a failure limit state.

Why is the resistance factor (t) smaller for fracture than

for yielding?
The smaller resistance factor for fracture (t = 0.75 as compared to
t = 0.90 for yielding) reflects the more serious nature &
consequences of reaching the fracture limit state.
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Slide # 22

Important Notes

What is the design strength of the tension member?

The design strength of the tension member will be the lesser value of
the strength for the two limit states (gross section yielding & net
section fracture).

yp

Where are the Fy & Fu values for different steel materials?

The yield & ultimate stress values for different steel materials are
dependent on type of steel.

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Slide # 23

Ex. 2.1 Tensile Strength

A 125 x 10 mm bar of A572 (Fy = 344 MPa) steel is used as a tension

member. It is connected to a gusset plate with six 20 mm. diameter
bolts as shown below. Assume that the effective net area Ae equals
the actual net area An & compute the tensile design strength of the
member.
Gusset plate
b

20 in.
mmdiameter
hole diameter
7/8
bolt

5 200
x in.
bar
x 10
mm plate
A572(Fy
Gr.=50344 MPa)
A572

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Slide # 24

Ex. 2.1 Tensile Strength

Gross section area = Ag = 125 x 10 = 1250 mm2

Net section area (An)

Bolt diameter = db = 20 mm.

Nominal hole diameter = dh = 20 + 1.6 = 21.6 mm
Hole diameter for calculating net area = 21.6 + 1.6 = 23.2 mm
Net section area = An = (125 2 x (23.2)) x 10 = 786 mm2

Gross yielding design strength = t Pn = t Fy Ag

Gross yielding design strength = 0.9 x 344 x 1250/1000 = 387 kN

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Slide # 25

Ex. 2.1 Tensile Strength

Fracture design strength = t Pn = t Fu Ae

Assume Ae = An (only for this problem)

Fracture design strength = 0.75 x 448 x 786/1000 = 264 kN

Design strength of the member in tension = smaller of

264 kN & 387 kN

Therefore, design strength = 264 kN (net section fracture

controls).

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Slide # 26

Effective Net Area

The connection has a significant influence on the

performance of a tension member. A connection almost
always weakens the member & a measure of its influence
is called joint efficiency.

Joint efficiency is a function of:

material ductility
fastener spacing
stress concentration at holes
fabrication procedure
shear lag.

All factors contribute to reducing the effectiveness but

shear lag is the most important.
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Slide # 27

Effective Net Area

Shear lag occurs when the tension force is not transferred

simultaneously to all elements of the cross-section. This
will occur when some elements of the cross-section are
not connected.
For example, see the figure below, where only one leg of
an angle is bolted to the gusset plate.

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Slide # 28

Effective Net Area

A consequence of this partial connection is that the

connected element becomes overloaded & the
unconnected part is not fully stressed.

Lengthening the connection region will reduce this effect

Research indicates that shear lag can be accounted for by

using a reduced or effective net area Ae

Shear lag affects both bolted & welded connections.

Therefore, the effective net area concept applied to both
types of connections.

For bolted connection, the effective net area is Ae = U An

For welded connection, the effective net area is Ae = U Ag
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Slide # 29

Effective Net Area

The way the tension member is connected affects its efficiency

because of the Shear Lag phenomenon
Shear lag occurs when the force is transmitted to the section
through part of the section (not the whole section)
To account for this stress concentration in stress, an area
reduction factor U is used

Bolted Connections

Ae U An

Welded Connections

Ae U Ag

Over stressed
Under stressed

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Slide # 30

Effective Net Area

Where, the reduction factor U is given by:

x
U = 1 0.9
L

(4.7)

x- the distance from the centroid of the connected area to the plane of
the connection
L - the length of the connection.

If the member has two symmetrically located planes of connection,

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

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Slide # 31

Effective Net Area

Bolted Connections

Welded Connections

Increasing the connection length reduces the shear lag effect

Some special cases govern bolted and welded connections

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Slide # 32

Effective Net Area

The distance L is defined as the length of the connection in

the direction of load.

For bolted connections, L is measured from the center of the bolt at

one end to the center of the bolt at the other end.

For welded connections, it is measured from one end of the

connection to other.

If there are weld segments of different length in the direction of

load, L is the length of the longest segment.

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Slide # 33

U for Bolted Connections

U 1

x
0.9
L

OR

Two major groups of bolted connections

Connections with at least three bolts per line

W,M and S shapes and T cut from them connected in flange with

U 0.9

All other shapes

U 0.85

Connections with only two bolts per line

U 0.75

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Slide # 34

bf
d

2
3

Ex. 2.2 Design Strength

Determine the effective net area & the corresponding

design strength for the single angle tension member in the
figure below. The tension member is an L 4 x 4 x 3/8 made
from A36 steel. It is connected to a gusset plate with 15
mm diameter bolts, as shown in Figure below. The spacing
between the bolts is 75 mm center-to-center.
a

L 4L x44xx43/x83/8
d bd= =
5/8
15in.mm
b

Section a-a

L 4 x 4 x 3/ 8

a
Gusset plate

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Slide # 35

Ex. 2.2 Design Strength

Gross area of angle = Ag = 1850 mm2

Net section area = An

T = 9.5 mm

Bolt diameter = 15 mm.

Hole diameter for calculating net area = 15 +3.2 = 18.2 mm.
Net section area = A 18.2 x 9.5 = 1850 172.9 = 1677.1 mm
g

is the distance from the centroid of the area connected to

the plane of connection
For this case is equal to the distance of centroid of the angle
from the edge.
This value is given in the section property table.

= 28.7 mm.
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Slide # 36

Ex. 2.2 Design Strength

L is the length of the connection, which for this case will be

equal to 2 x 75 = 150 mm.
x
28.7
U 1 1
0.809
L
150

Effective net area = Ae = 0.809 x 1677.1 in2 = 1357 mm2

Gross yielding design strength = t Ag Fy = 0.9 x 1850 x

248/1000 = 412.9 kN

Net section fracture = t Ae Fu = 0.75 x 1357 x 400/1000 = 407.1

kN

Design strength = 407.1 kN

(Lower of the two values)

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(net section fracture governs)

Slide # 37

Ex. 2.3 Design Strength

Determine the design strength of an ASTM A992 W8 x 24 with

four lines if 20 mm diameter bolts in standard holes, two per
flange, as shown in the Figure below. Assume the holes are
located at the member end & the connection length is 225 mm.
Also calculate at what length this tension member would cease
to satisfy the slenderness limitation in LRFD specification.
dbdiameter
= 20 mm
in.
bolts

W 8 x 24

753mm
in. 753 mm
in. 753 mm
in.

Holes in beam flange

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Slide # 38

Ex. 2.3 Design Strength

For ASTM A992 material: Fy = 344 MPa; & Fu = 448 MPa

For the W8 x 24 section:

d = 201 mm.
Ag = 4570 mm2

t = 6.2 mm.
t = 10.2 mm.
w

bf = 165 mm.

ry = 40.9 mm.

Gross yielding design strength = t Pn = t Ag Fy = 0.90 x 4570 x

344/1000 = 1414.9 kN

Net section fracture strength = t Pn = t Ae Fu = 0.75 x Ae x 448

Ae = U An

- for bolted connection

An = Ag (no. of holes) x (diameter of hole) x (thickness of flange)

An = 4570 4 x (20+3.2) x 10.2.
An = 3623 mm2

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Slide # 39

Ex. 2.3 Design Strength

U 1

x
0.9
L

What is x for this situation?

x is the distance from the edge of the flange to the centroid of
the half (T) section

(b f t f )

tf
2

d 2t f

bf t f

tw ) (

2
d 2t f
2

d 2 tf
4

tw

201 2 10.2
201 2 10.2

6.2

2
4

17.6 mm.
201

10.2

165 10.2
6.2
2

165 10.2 5.1

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Slide # 40

Special Cases for Welded

Connections

If some elements of the cross-section are not connected,

then Ae will be less than An

For a rectangular bar or plate Ae will be equal to An

However, if the connection is by longitudinal welds at the

ends as shown in the figure below, then Ae = UAg

Where,

U = 1.0

for L 2w

U = 0.87

for 1.5 w L < 2 w

U = 0.75

for w L < 1.5 w

L = length of the pair of welds w

w = distance between the welds or width of plate/bar

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Slide # 41

Ex. 2.3 Design Strength

The calculated value is not accurate due to the deviations
in the geometry

U 1

x
17.6
1
0.922
L
225

But, U 0.90. Therefore, assume U = 0.90

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Slide # 42

Ex. 2.3 Design Strength

Net section fracture strength = t Ae Fu = 0.75 x 0.9 x 3623 x

448/1000 = 1095.6 kN

The design strength of the member is controlled by net

section fracture = 1095.6 kN

According to LRFD specification, the maximum unsupported

length of the member is limited to 300 ry = 300 x 40.9 = 12270
mm = 12.27 m.

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Slide # 43

Special Cases for Welded

Connections

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Slide # 44

Special Cases for Welded

Connections

For any member connected by transverse welds alone,

Ae = area of the connected element of the cross-section

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Slide # 45

U for Welded Connections

U 1

x
0.9
L

OR

Two major groups of welded connections

General case

W,M and S shapes and T cut from them connected in flange with

All other shapes

bf
2

d
3

U 0.9

Special case for plates welded at their ends

U 0.85

L 2W U 1.0
.5W with
Ltransverse
2W welds

U
0.87
member
all
around
ONLY
Any 1
W L 1.5W U 0.75
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W
L

U 1.0
Slide # 46

Ex. 2.4 Tension Design

Strength

Consider the welded single angle L 6x 6 x tension

member made from A36 steel shown below. Calculate
the tension design strength.
42.4 mm

140 mm
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Slide # 47

Ex. 2.4 Tension Design

Strength

Ag = 3720 mm2
An = 3720 mm2

- because it is a welded connection

Ae = U An

x= 42.4 mm for this welded connection

L = 152 mm for this welded connection
x
42.4
U 1 1
0.72

L
152

Gross yielding design strength = t Fy Ag = 0.9 x 248 x 3720/1000

= 830 kN

Net section fracture strength = t Fu Ae = 0.75 x 400 x 0.72 x

3720/1000 = 803 kN

Design strength = 803 kN (net section fracture governs)

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Slide # 48

Design of Tension Members

The design of a tension member involves finding the

lightest steel section (angle, wide-flange, or channel
section) with design strength (Pn) greater than or equal
to the maximum factored design tension load (Pu) acting
on it.

P P
P is determined
n

by structural analysis for factored load

combinations

is the design strength based on the gross section yielding,

net section fracture & block shear rupture limit states.
n

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Slide # 49

Design of Tension Members

For net section fracture limit state, Pn = 0.75 x Ae x Fu

Therefore, 0.75 x Ae x Fu Pu
Pu
Therefore, Ae 0.75 F
u
But, Ae = U An
U & An - depend on the end connection.

Thus, designing the tension member goes hand-in-hand

with designing the end connection, which we have not
covered so far.

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Slide # 50

Design of Tension Members

Therefore, for this chapter of the course, the end

connection details will be given in the examples &
problems.

The AISC manual tabulates the tension design strength of

standard steel sections

Include: wide flange shapes, angles, tee sections, & double angle
sections.

The gross yielding design strength & the net section fracture
strength of each section is tabulated.

This provides a great starting point for selecting a section.

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Slide # 51

Design of Tension Members

There is one serious limitation

The net section fracture strength is tabulated for an assumed value

of U = 0.75, obviously because the precise connection details are
not known

For all W, Tee, angle & double-angle sections, Ae is assumed to be

= 0.75 Ag

The engineer can first select the tension member based on the
tabulated gross yielding & net section fracture strengths, & then
check the net section fracture strength & the block shear strength
using the actual connection details.

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Slide # 52

Design of Tension Members

Additionally for each shape, the code tells the

value of Ae below which net section fracture will
control:

Thus, for Grade 50 steel sections, net section fracture

will control if Ae < 0.923 Ag

For

Grade 36 steel sections, net section fracture will

control if Ae < 0.745 Ag

Slenderness limits

Tension

member slenderness l/r must preferably be

limited to 300 as per LRFD specifications.
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Slide # 53

Slenderness Requirements

Although tension elements are not likely to buckle, it is recommended

to limit their slenderness ratio to 300

max
rmin

L
300
rmin
I min
A

The slenderness limitation of tension members is not for structural

integrity as for compression members.

The reason for the code limitation is to assure that the member has
enough stiffness to prevent lateral movement or vibration.

This limitation does not apply to tension rods and cables.

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Slide # 54

Steps for Design of Tension Members

Steps for design

Calculate the load

Decide whether your connection will be welded or bolted
Assume U factor of 0.75
Determine the gross area of the element
Assume An = 0.75 Ag

Pu
0.9 Fy

Ag

Pu
for bolted
0.45 Fu

Ag

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Pu
for welded
0.45 Fu
Slide # 55

Steps for Design of Tension Members

Steps for design

Choose the lightest section with area little larger than Ag

Calculate, Ag, An, U and Ae for the chosen section
0.9 Ag Fy

Check

Check slenderness ratio

Pu

0.75 Ae FU

max

L
300
rmin

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Slide # 56

Ex. 2.7 Design of Tension Members

Design a member to carry a factored maximum tension load of 350 kN.

Assume that the member is a wide flange connected through the
flanges using eight 20 mm diameter bolts in two rows of four each as
shown in the figure below. The center-to-center distance of the bolts in
the direction of loading is 100 mm. The edge distances are 40 & 50
mm as shown in the figure below. Steel material is A992
20
mm
in. d iameter bolts
50 mm
2 in.

100
mm
4 in.

in.
50 2
mm

4 in.
100
mm

401.5
mm
in.

40
1.5mm
in.

Holes in beam flange

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Fy = 344 MPa
Fu = 448 MPa
Slide # 57

Ex. 2.7 Design of Tension Members

Select a section from the Tables

A 350*1000/(0.9*344) = 1130 mm .
Assume U=0.75
A 350*1000/(0.45*448)=1736 mm
Try W8x10 with A = 1910 mm .
A = 1910 4*(23.2*5.2) = 1427 mm .
x = 24.6 mm (students have to compute it)
U = 1 24.6/100 = 0.754
Gross yielding strength = 591 kN, & net section fracture
2

strength = 362 kN

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Slide # 58

Extra Slides

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Slide # 59

Block Shear

For some connection configurations, the tension member

can fail due to tear-out of material at the connected end.
This is called block shear.

For example, the single angle tension member connected

as shown in the Fig. 2.3 below is susceptible to the
phenomenon of block shear.

For the case shown above, shear failure will occur along
the longitudinal section a-b & tension failure will occur
along the transverse section b-c.

AISC Specification on tension members does not cover

block shear failure explicitly. But, it directs the engineer to
the Specification on connections
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Slide # 60

Block Shear
(a)

(b)

Shear failure
(c)
Tension failure

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Fig. 2.3 Block

shear failure of
single angle
tension member
Slide # 61

Block Shear

Block shear strength is determined as the sum of the

shear strength on a failure path & the tensile strength on a
perpendicular segment.

Block shear strength = net section fracture strength on shear path

+ net section fracture strength of the tension path
OR
Block shear strength = gross yielding strength of the shear path +
net section fracture strength of the tension path

Which of the two calculations above governs?

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Slide # 62

Block Shear
Rn = (0.6 Fu Anv + UbsFu Ant) (0.6 FyAgv + UbsFu Ant)
= 0.75
Ubs = 1.0 for uniform tensile stress; = 0.5 for nonuniform tensile stress
Agv - gross area subject to shear
Agt - gross area subject to tension
Anv - net area subject to shear
Ant - net area subject to tension
Fu - ultiamte strength of steel
Fy - yield strength of steel
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Slide # 63

Block Shear

Failure happens by a
combination of shear and
tension.

Area failing by shear

Shear
Fracture

Tension
Fracture

Area failing by tension

Shear Yield

Failure Mode 1

The two possible failure modes shall be investigated

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Tension
Fracture

Failure Mode 2

Slide # 64

Ex. 2.5 Block Shear

Calculate the block shear strength of the single angle tension

member shown bellow. The single angle L 4 x 4 x 3/8 made
from A36 steel is connected to the gusset plate with 15 mm
diameter bolts as shown below. The bolt spacing is 75 mm
center-to-center & the edge distances are 40 mm & 50 mm as
shown in the Figure below.
a

L 4 x 4 x 3/ 8
dd
b ==5/8
15in.
mm
b

Section a-a

L 4 x 4 x 3/ 8

a
Gusset plate

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Slide # 65

Ex. 2.5 Block Shear

Assume a block shear

apath & calculate the required areas

L4
50

d b d=
5/8 in.
b = 15 mm
40

75

75

Gusset plate

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Slide # 66

Ex. 2.5 Block Shear

Agt = gross tension area = 50 x 9.5 = 475 mm2

Ant = net tension area = 475 - 0.5 x (15 + 3.2) x 9.5 = 388.5
mm2
Agv = gross shear area = (75 + 75 +40) x 9.5 = 1805 mm 2
Anv = net shear area = 1805 - 2.5 x (15 + 3.2) x 9.5 = 1372.8
mm2
Ubs = 1.0

Calculate block shear strength

t Rn = 0.75 (0.6 Fu Anv + UbsFu Ant)

= 0.75 (0.6 x 400 x 1372.8 + 1.0 x 400 x 388.5)/1000 =

363.7 kN
t

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Slide # 67

Ex. 2.5 Block Shear

Check upper limit

t Rn (0.6 FyAgv + UbsFu Ant)

R 0.75 (0.6 x 248 x 1805 + 1.0 x 400 x 388.5)/1000

R 318 kN
Block shear strength = 318 kN
t

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Slide # 68

Ex. 2.6 Design Tensile Strength

Determine the design tension strength for a single

channel C15 x 50 connected to a 15 mm thick gusset
plate as shown in Figure. Assume that the holes are for
20 mm diameter bolts. Also, assume structural steel with
yield stress (Fy) equal to 344 MPa & ultimate stress (Fu)
equal to 448 MPa.
gusset plate

3 @ 75 mm = 225
mm center-tocenter

C15 x 50

40

75

75

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Slide # 69

Ex. 2.6 Design Tensile Strength

Limit state of yielding due to tension:

Tn 0.9*344*9480 /1000 2935 kN

Limit state of fracture due to tension:

An Ag nd et 9480 4 18.2 23.2 7791 mm 2

x
20.3

2
Ae UAn 1 An 1
*7791

6736.6
mm

L
150

U
Check: OK.

0.867 0.9

Note: The connection eccentricity, x, for a C15X50 can be found in

section property tables.

Tn 0.75* 448*6736.6 /1000 2263.5 kN

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Slide # 70

Ex. 2.6 Design Tensile Strength

Limit state of block shear rupture:

A
A
A
A
U

gt

= gross tension area = 225 x 18.2 = 4095 mm2

nt

= net tension area = (225 - 3*(23.2))*18.2 = 2828 mm 2

gv

= gross shear area = 2*(190*18.2) = 6916 mm 2

nv

= net shear area = 2*((190 - 2.5*23.2) *18.2) = 4805 mm 2

bs

= 1.0

Calculate block shear strength

R
R
t

= 0.75 (0.6 Fu Anv + UbsFu Ant)

= 0.75 (0.6 x 448 x 4805 + 1.0 x 448 x 2828)/1000 = 1919

kN

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Slide # 71

Ex. 2.6 Design Tensile Strength

Check upper limit

R (0.6 F A + U F A )
R 0.75 (0.6 x 344 x 6916 + 1.0 x 448 x 2828)
R 2021 kN
Block shear strength = 1919 kN

gv

bs

nt

Block shear rupture is the critical limit state & the design
tension strength is 1919 kN.

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Slide # 72

Staggered Bolts

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Slide # 73

Staggered Bolts

For a bolted tension member, the connecting bolts can be

staggered for several reasons:

To get more capacity by increasing the effective net area

To achieve a smaller connection length
To fit the geometry of the tension connection itself .

For a tension member with staggered bolt holes (see example

figure above), the relationship f = P/A does not apply & the
stresses are a combination of tensile & shearing stresses on the
inclined portion b-c.

Net section fracture can occur along any zig-zag or straight line.
For ex., fracture can occur along the inclined path a-b-c-d in the
figure above. However, all possibilities must be examined.
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Slide # 74

Staggered Bolts

Empirical methods have been developed to calculate the net

section fracture strength.

s2
net width = gross width - d
4g

d - the diameter of hole to be deducted (db + 3.2 mm)

s2/4g - added for each gage space in the chain being considered
s - the longitudinal spacing (pitch) of the bolt holes in the direction of loading

g - the transverse spacing (gage) of the bolt holes perpendicular to loading

direction.
net area (An) = net width x plate thickness
x
effective net area (Ae) = U An
net fracture design strength = t Ae Fu

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where
( t = 0.75)

U 1

Slide # 75

Staggered Bolted Connections

BB

A A
g
P

Stresses on inclined planes are a mix of tension and shear and thus a
correction is needed.

S2
Wn Wg d
4g

An Wn t

All possible failure paths passes shall be examined. The path that yields the
smallest area governs.
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Slide # 76