Design of Tension Members

Structural Elements Subjected to Axial Tensile Forces

Cables in Suspension and Cable-Stayed Bridges
Trusses
Bracing for Buildings and Bridges
LAST TIME



Design of Tension Members
Tables for the Design
Threaded Rods and Cables
Design of Tension Members LAST TIME
Objective
Find a member with adequate gross and net areas
Find a member that satisfies L/r<300
Does not apply to cables and rods
Required Strength
Available Strength
(Nominal Resistance)
e u
A F 75 . 0
g y
A F 9 . 0
LRFD min
e u
A F 5 . 0
g y
A F 6 . 0
ASD min
L D 6 . 1 2 . 1 +
D 4 . 1
LRFD max
ASD
etc
max
L D+
D
Design of Tension Members LAST TIME
Determine required Area
LRFD
To prevent yielding
y
u
g g y u
F
P
A A F P
9 . 0
90 . 0 > s
To avoid fracture
y
u
e e u u
F
P
A A F P
75 . 0
75 . 0 > s
Yielding controls if
e u g y
A F A F 75 . 0 90 . 0 s
u
y
g
e
F
F
A
A
2 . 1 >
Design of Tension Members LAST TIME
Determine required Area
To prevent yielding
y
a
g g y
a
F
P
A A F
P
6 . 0 6 . 0
> s
To avoid fracture
u
a
e e u
a
F
P
A A F
P
5 . 0 5 . 0
> s
ASD
Yielding controls if
2 67 . 1
e u
g y
A F
A F
s
u
y
g
e
F
F
A
A
2 . 1 >
LRFD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
( )
( ) ( )
kips
kips L D
kips D
P
u
8 . 104
8 . 104 52 6 . 1 18 2 . 1 6 . 1 2 . 1
2 . 25 18 4 . 1 4 . 1
max =

= + = +
= =
=
Step 1: Required Strength
( )
2
,
235 . 3
36 9 . 0
8 . 104
in
F
P
A
y t
u
req g
= = =
|
Step 2: Required Areas
( )
2
,
409 . 2
58 75 . 0
8 . 104
in
F
P
A
u t
u
req e
= = =
|
LRFD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
Step 3: Plate Selection based on A
g
in w w in A
req req req g
235 . 3 ) 1 ( 235 . 3
2
,
= = =
Try thickness t = 1 in
Choose PL 1 X 3-1/2
See Manual pp1-8 for availability of plate products
LRFD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
Step 4: Check Effective Area

( )
409 . 2 5 . 2
8
1
8
7
5 . 3 x 1 1
1
,
2
= > = |
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= = =
req e
hole g n e
A in
A A UA A
OK
LRFD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
Step 4: Check Slenderness

( )
4
3
3
min
in 2917 . 0
12
1 5 . 3
12
= = =
wt
I
( )
2
in 5 . 3 1 5 . 3 = = A
2
min
2
in 2887 . 0 = = =
A
I
r Ar I
2 2
in 300 in 239
2887 . 0
75 . 5
max < = =
r
L
OK
ASD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
( )
( ) ( )
kips
kips L D
kips D
P
a
0 . 70
70 52 18
18 18 1
max =

= + = +
= =
=
Step 1: Required Strength
( )
2
,
24 . 3
36 6 . 0
0 . 70
6 . 0
in
F
P
A
y
a
req g
= = =
Step 2: Required Areas
( )
2
,
414 . 2
58 5 . 0
0 . 70
5 . 0
in
F
P
A
u
a
req e
= = =
ASD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
Step 3: Plate Selection based on A
g
- Same as LRFD

in w w in A
req req req g
241 . 3 ) 1 ( 241 . 3
2
,
= = =
Try thickness t = 1 in
Choose PL 1 X 3-1/2
See Manual pp1-8 for availability of plate products
ASD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
Step 4: Check Effective Area

( )
414 . 2 5 . 2
8
1
8
7
5 . 3 x 1 1
1
,
2
= > = |
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+
= = =
req e
hole g n e
A in
A A UA A
OK
LRFD - Example LAST TIME
Tension member with a length 5-9 resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8 bolts
Step 4: Check Slenderness

( )
4
3
3
min
in 2917 . 0
12
1 5 . 3
12
= = =
wt
I
( )
2
in 5 . 3 1 5 . 3 = = A
2
min
2
in 2887 . 0 = = =
A
I
r Ar I
2 2
in 300 in 239
2887 . 0
75 . 5
max < = =
r
L
OK
Angles as Tension Members LAST TIME
Must have enough room for bolts
(if bolted connection)
Space is a problem if 2 lines of bolts in a leg
Usual fabrication practice standard hole
location
Manual pp 1-46

Leg 8 7 6 5 4 31/2 3 2-1/2 2 1-3/4 1-1/2 1-3/8 1-1/4 1
g 4-1/2 4 3-1/2 3 2-1/2 2 1-3/4 1-3/8 1-1/8 1 7/8 7/8 3/4 5/8
g1 3 2-1/2 2-1/4 2
g2 3 3 2-1/2 1-3/4
Example LAST TIME
Select and unequal-leg angle tension member 15 feet long to resist a
service dead load of 35 kips and a service live load of 70 kips. Use
A36
Angle - Example LAST TIME
( )
( ) ( )
kips
kips L D
kips D
P
u
154
154 70 6 . 1 35 2 . 1 6 . 1 2 . 1
49 35 4 . 1
max =

= + = +
= =
=
Step 1: Required Strength
( )
2
,
75 . 4
36 9 . 0
154
9 . 0
in
F
P
A
y
u
req g
= = =
Step 2: Required Areas
( )
2
,
54 . 3
58 5 . 0
154
75 . 0
in
F
P
A
u
u
req e
= = =
in
L
r
u
req
6 . 0
300
) 12 ( 15
300
= = =
Angle - Example LAST TIME
Step 3: Angle Selection based on A
g
Two lines of bolts, therefore min. length of one leg = 5 in
see table
Choose L6x4x1/2 A=4.75, r
min
=0.864

See Manual pp1-42
( )
2
,
75 . 4
36 9 . 0
154
9 . 0
in
F
P
A
y
u
req g
= = =
Angle - Example LAST TIME
Step 4: Check Effective Area

( ) 54 . 3 10 . 3 875 . 3 8 . 0
,
2
= < = = =
req e n e
A in UA A NG
Length of connection not known
4 bolts in direction of load U=0.8
2
875 . 3
2
1
8
1
4
3
2 75 . 4 in A A A
hole g n
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =
Angle - Example LAST TIME
Step 3: Angle Selection based on A
g
TRY NEXT LARGER
Two lines of bolts, therefore min. length of one leg = 5 in
see table
Choose L5 x 3-1/2 x 5/8 A=4.92, r
min
=0.746

See Manual pp1-42
( )
2
,
75 . 4
36 9 . 0
154
9 . 0
in
F
P
A
y
u
req g
= = =
Angle - Example LAST TIME
Step 4: Check Effective Area

( ) 54 . 3 06 . 3 826 . 3 8 . 0
,
2
= < = = =
req e n e
A in UA A NG
Length of connection not known
4 bolts in direction of load U=0.8
2
826 . 3
8
5
8
1
4
3
2 92 . 4 in A A A
hole g n
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =
Angle - Example LAST TIME
Step 3: Angle Selection based on A
g
TRY NEXT LARGER
Two lines of bolts, therefore min. length of one leg = 5 in
see table
Choose L8 x 4 x 1/2 A=5.75, r
min
=0.863

See Manual pp1-42
( )
2
,
75 . 4
36 9 . 0
154
9 . 0
in
F
P
A
y
u
req g
= = =
Angle - Example LAST TIME
Step 4: Check Effective Area

( ) 54 . 3 9 . 3 875 . 4 8 . 0
,
2
= > = = =
req e n e
A in UA A OK
Length of connection not known
4 bolts in direction of load U=0.8
2
875 . 4
8
5
8
1
4
3
2 75 . 5 in A A A
hole g n
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =



TABLES FOR DESIGN OF TENSION
MEMBERS
Example
Select and unequal-leg angle tension member 15 feet long to resist a
service dead load of 35 kips and a service live load of 70 kips. Use
A36
Example Using Tables
( )
( ) ( )
kips
kips L D
kips D
P
u
154
154 70 6 . 1 35 2 . 1 6 . 1 2 . 1
49 35 4 . 1
max =

= + = +
= =
=
Step 1: Required Strength
Step 2: Choose L based on P
u
Choose L6x4x1/2
A=4.75, r
min
=0.980


kips P yielding
n t
154 : = |
kips P rupture
n t
155 : = |
See Manual pp 5-15
Angle - Example
Step 3: Check Effective Area

( )
2
10 . 3 875 . 3 8 . 0 in UA A
n e
= = =
NG
Length of connection not known
4 bolts in direction of load U=0.8
2
875 . 3
8
5
8
1
4
3
2 75 . 4 in A A A
hole g n
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =
kips P kips A F P
u e u t n t
154 135 ) 10 . 3 )( 58 ( 75 . 0 = < = = =| |
Angle - Example
Shape did not work because table values are for A
e
/A
g
=0.75

In this problem A
e
/A
g
=3.1/4.75 = 0.6526

Enter table with adjusted P
u
as




u
P
ratio actual


75 . 0
Example Using Tables
Step 4: Choose L based on ADJUSTED P
u
Choose L8x4x1/2
A=5.75, r
min
=0.863


kips P yielding
n t
186 : = |
kips P rupture
n t
187 : = |
See Manual pp 5-14
kips P
u
177 154
6525 . 0
75 . 0
= =
Angle - Example
Step 5: Check Effective Area

( )
2
90 . 3 875 . 4 8 . 0 in UA A
n e
= = =
OK
Length of connection not known
4 bolts in direction of load U=0.8
2
875 . 4
2
1
8
1
4
3
2 75 . 5 in A A A
hole g n
=
|
.
|

\
|
|
.
|

\
|
+ = =
kips P kips A F P
u e u t n t
154 170 ) 90 . 3 )( 58 ( 75 . 0 = > = = = | |
Tension Members in Roof Trusses


Main supporting elements of roof systems where long spans are
required

Used when the cost and weight of a beam would be prohibitive

Often used in industrial or mill buildings


Tension Members in Roof Trussed
Pin
Hinge
Supporting walls: reinforced concrete, concrete block, brick
or combination
Tension Members in Roof Trussed
Tension Members in Roof Trusses
Sag Rods are designed to provide lateral support
to purlins and carry the component of the load
parallel to the roof

Located at mid-point, third points, or more
frequently
Tension Members in Roof Trusses

Bottom Chord in tension
Top Chord in compression
Web members: some in compression some in tension
Wind loads may alternate force in some members
Tension Members in Roof Trusses
Chord Members are designed as continuous

Joint rigidity introduces small moments that are usually
ignored

Bending caused by loads applied directly on members must
be taken into account
Tension Members in Roof Trusses
Bolted Truss: Working Lines are the bolt lines

Welded Truss: Working Lines are the centroidal axes of
the welds

For analysis: Member length from working point to
working point
Working Lines Intersect at the
Working Point in each joint
Tension Members in Roof Trusses
Bolted trusses

Double Angles for chords

Double Angles for web members

Single Gusset plate
Tension Members in Roof Trusses
Welded trusses

Structural Tee shapes are used in chords

Angles are used in web members

Angles are usually welded to the stem of the Tee
Tension Members in Roof Trusses
Welded trusses

Structural Tee shapes are used in chords

Angles are used in web members

Angles are usually welded to the stem of the Tee
Example
Select a structural Tee for the bottom chord of the Warren roof truss. Trusses are
welded and spaced at 20 feet. Assume bottom chord connection is made with 9-
inch long longitudinal welds at the flange. Use A992 steel and the following load
data (wind is not considered)
Purlins M8x6.5
Snow 20 psf horizontal projection
Metal Deck 2 psf
Roofing 4 psf
Insulation 3 psf
Step 1 Load Analysis
DEAD (excluding purlins)
Deck 2 psf
Roof 4 psf
Insulation 3 psf
Total 9 psf
Total Dead Load = 9(20) = 180 lb/ft
20ft
180(5)=900 lb

180(2.5)=450 lb
Step 1 Load Analysis
PURLINS M8x6.5

Purlin Load = 6.5(20) = 130 lb
20ft

130 lb 130 lb
Step 1 Load Analysis
SNOW
Snow Load = 20(20) = 400 lb/ft
20ft

400(2.5)=1000 lb 400(5)=2000 lb
Step 1 Load Analysis
Dead Load of Truss
Assume 10% of all other loads

End Joint 0.1(9(20)(20)+130+1000)=158 lb
158 lb 303 lb
Interior Joint 0.1(900+130+2000)=303 lb
Step 1 Load Analysis

450+130+158 = 738 lb 900+130+303 = 1333 lb
D
S
1000 lb 2000 lb
Step 2 Required Force

1.2(0.74) + 1.6(1) =
2.48 kips
1.2(1.33)+1.6(2)=
4.8 kips
S D P
u
6 . 1 2 . 1 + =
Step 2 Required Force
Method of Sections

= = kips 04 . 48 0
IJ E
F M
Step 3 Required Areas
( )
2
,
07 . 1
50 9 . 0
04 . 48
9 . 0 9 . 0
in
F
F
F
P
A
y
IJ
y
u
req g
= = = =
( )
2
,
985 . 0
65 75 . 0
04 . 48
75 . 0 75 . 0
in
F
F
F
P
A
u
IJ
u
u
req e
= = = =
Step 4: T Selection based on Ag
Choose MT5x3.75 A=1.10 in
2

See Manual pp1-68
Step 5 Check Effective Area
( )( )
2
,
2
in 985 . 0 in 915 . 0 1 8322 . 0 = < = = =
req e g e
A UA A
NG
8322 . 0
9
51 . 1
1 1 =
|
.
|

\
|
= =
L
x
U
Step 6 TRY NEXT LARGER
Choose MT6X5 A=1.46 in
2

See Manual pp1-68
Step 7 Check Effective Area
( )( )
2
,
2
in 985 . 0 in 16 . 1 46 . 1 7933 . 0 = > = = =
req e g e
A UA A
OK
7933 . 0
9
51 . 1
1 1 =
|
.
|

\
|
= =
L
x
U
Step 8 Check Slenderness
Assume bracing points at panel points
300 101
594 . 0
) 12 ( 5
< = =
r
L
OK