TENSION MEMBERS

STRUCTURAL DESIGN – 2
CE 524

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO

 TENSION MEMBERS

• Tension members are among the most basic of structural

elements
• These are axially loaded members stressed in tension and are
used in steel structures in various forms
• Can be found in:
• Bracing system
• Trusses

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• BASIC MODES OF FAILURE

• Tensile Yielding
• Occurs when the stress in the gross area of the section is large
enough to cause excessive deformation.
• Tensile Rupture
• Occurs when the stress on the effective area of the section is large
enough to cause the member to fracture, which usually occurs
across a line of bolts where the tension member is weakest.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• GROSS SECTION YIELDING
• AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Equation ∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = ∅𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 • LRFD
D2-1 page 16.1-26
𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔
• NSCP 2015 Sec. 504.2 = • ASD
Equation 504.2-1 page 5-51 Ω𝑡𝑡 Ω𝑡𝑡
• where:
• ∅ - resistance factor
• ∅ = 0.90
• Ω = 1.67
• 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 - minimum yield stress
• 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 - gross area of the tension member
• ∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 - design capacity

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• NET SECTION FRACTURE
• AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Equation ∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = ∅𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 • LRFD
D2-1 page 16.2-26
𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒
• NSCP 2015 Sec. 504.2 =
Equation 504.2-2 page 5-51 Ω𝑡𝑡 Ω𝑡𝑡 • ASD

• where:
• ∅ - resistance factor
• ∅ = 0.75
• Ω = 2.00
• 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 - minimum tensile stress
• 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 - effective area of the tension member
• ∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 - design capacity

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• EFFECTIVE NET AREA

𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 = 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 𝑈𝑈 • AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Equation
D3-1 page 16.1-27
• where:
• NSCP 2015 Equation 504.3-1
• 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 - effective net area page 5-51
• 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 - net area of the tension member
• AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Table
• 𝑈𝑈 - shear lag factor D3.1 page 16.1-28

• NSCP 2015 Table 504.3.1

page 5-54

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• GROSS AREA AND NET AREA

• Tension member that is connected by welds, the net area equals
the gross area
• Net area of a tension member with fasteners that are in is the
difference between the gross cross-sectional area and the area of
the bolt holes
• 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 = 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 − 𝐴𝐴ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 • NSCP 2015 Sec. 504.3.2 page 5-51

• where:
1
• 𝐴𝐴ℎ𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 = 𝑛𝑛 𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏 + 8 𝑡𝑡

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• GROSS AREA AND NET AREA
• Tension members with a series of holes in a diagonal or zigzag pattern,which might be used
when bolt spacing is limited there may exist several possible planes of failure that need to
be investigated.
• For a failure plane where one or more of the failure planes is at an angle
𝑠𝑠 2
𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 = 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 − � 𝑑𝑑ℎ 𝑡𝑡 + � 𝑡𝑡 • See Sec B4.3b page 16.1-18 AISC - SCM
4𝑔𝑔
• where:
• s - Longitudinal center-to-center spacing or pitch between two consecutive
holes
• g - Transverse center-to-center spacing or gage between two consecutive holes

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• Example 1:
• Calculate the net area of the plate
shown connected with 3/4” diameter
bolts

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• Example 2:
• Calculate the net area of a rolled shape W10 x 49 steel connected with 3/4” diameter
bolts (refer to Table 1-1 page 1-26 AISC - SCM)

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• STAGGERED BOLT CONNECTION

• Example 1:
• Calculate the net area of the plate
shown connected with ¾” diameter
bolts.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• STAGGERED BOLT CONNECTION

• Example 2:
• Compute 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 and 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 for a 14-in.-wide
and 2-in. thick plate subject to tensile
loading with staggered holes as
shown.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• STAGGERED BOLT CONNECTION

• Example 3:
• Calculate the net area on a staggered connection along an angle bar L 7 x 4 x 5/8
connected with ¾” diameter bolts. (refer to Table 1-7 page 1-42 AISC – SCM)

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• SHEAR LAG
• Connecting tension members does not mean connecting all the
components
• It affects the performance and behaviour of a connection
• It creates a non-uniform stress distribution around the connection
region
• The stress trajectory around the connection causes the
efficiency of the connection area to reduced.
• SHEAR LAG FACTOR, U
• Accounts for the nonuniform stress distribution when some of the
elements of a tension member are not directly connected.
• (See Chapter D page 16.1-28)

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• SHEAR LAG FACTORS, U
𝑥𝑥̅
𝑈𝑈 = 1 −
𝑙𝑙
• where:
• 𝑥𝑥̅ - distance from the centroid of the connected part to the connection plane
• 𝑙𝑙 - connection length

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• SHEAR LAG FACTORS, U

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• RULES ON DETERMINING SHEAR LAG FACTOR, U
• 1. A general category for any type of tension member except plates and round
HSS with 𝑙𝑙 ≥ 1.3𝐷𝐷
• AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Table
• 2. Plates D3.1 page 16.1-28

• 3. Round HSS with 𝑙𝑙 ≥ 1.3𝐷𝐷 • NSCP 2015 Table 504.3.1

page 5-54
• 4. Alternative values for single and double angles
• 5. Alternative values for W, M, S, and HP shapes

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• RULES ON DETERMINING SHEAR LAG FACTOR, U
• 2. Plates
• For 𝑙𝑙 ≥ 2𝑤𝑤 U = 1.0
• For 1.5𝑤𝑤 ≤ 𝑙𝑙 < 2𝑤𝑤 U = 0.87
• For 𝑤𝑤 ≤ 𝑙𝑙 < 1.5𝑤𝑤 U = 0.75

• 3. Round HSS with 𝑙𝑙 = 1.3𝐷𝐷

• U = 1.0

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• RULES ON DETERMINING SHEAR LAG FACTOR, U
• 4. Alternative values for single and double angles
The following values may be used in lieu of Case 2 Formula.
• For four or more fasteners in the direction of loading U = 0.80.
• For three fasteners in the direction of loading U = 0.60.

• 5. Alternative values for W, M, S, and HP shapes

If the following conditions are satisfied, the corresponding values may be used in lieu of Case 2
Formula.
• Connected through the flange with three or more fasteners in the direction of loading, with a width
at least 2⁄3 of the depth: U = 0.90.
• Connected through the flange with three or more fasteners in the direction of loading, with a width
less than 2⁄3 of the depth: U = 0.85.
• Connected through the web with four or more fasteners in the direction of loading:
U = 0.70.
ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
 TENSION MEMBERS

• Example:
• Determine the effective net area for the tension member as shown

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BLOCK SHEAR RUPTURE
• is a limit state of tension fracture along one path and shear yielding or shear fracture
along another path

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BLOCK SHEAR RUPTURE

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• SHEAR YIELDING STRENGTH • SHEAR RUPTURE STRENGTH
𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 0.60𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 • 𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 0.60𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
• where: • where:
• ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD) • ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD)
• Ω = 1.50 (ASD) • Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
• 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 - gross area subject to shear • 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑣𝑣 - net area subject to shear

• AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Equation • AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Equation
J4-3 page 16.1-129 J4-4 page 16.1-129
• NSCP 2015 Equation 510.4-3 • NSCP 2015 Equation 510.4-4
page 5-103 page 5-103

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BLOCK SHEAR STRENGTH
𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 0.60𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 + 𝑈𝑈𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 ≤ 0.60𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 + 𝑈𝑈𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛
• where: • AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Equation
J4-5 page 16.1-129
• ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD)
• NSCP 2015 Equation 510.4-5
• Ω = 2.00 (ASD) page 5-103
• 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 or 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 - yield or tensile stress
• 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔𝑔𝑔 or 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑣𝑣 gross or net area in shear
• 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛𝑛𝑛 - net area in tension
• 𝑈𝑈𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 - block shear reduction coefficient

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BLOCK SHEAR RUPTURE

• AISC –SCM 14th Ed. Figure

C-J4.2 page 16.1-412

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• Example 1:
• Determine the design block shear rupture capacity of the following
tension member.
• 40 foot long W 8 x 24 (A992 steel)
• ¾” diameter bolts

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• Example 2:
• Compute the block shear strength of the tension member shown . The
holes are for 7⁄8-inch-diameter bolts, and A36 steel is used.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• SLENDERNESS LIMITATION
• There is no maximum slenderness limit for members in tension

• User Note:
𝐿𝐿
• For members designed on the basis of tension, the slenderness ratio preferably should not
𝑟𝑟
exceed 300. This suggestion does not apply to rods or hangers in tension.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• SLENDERNESS LIMITATION
• In place to prevent
• Excessive sag
• Excessive vibrations
• Damage during shipping
• Damage during erection
• Excessive deflection under the members own weight

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• SLENDERNESS LIMITATION
𝐿𝐿
≤ 300
𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚
• where:
• 𝐿𝐿 – member length
• 𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 – minimum radius of gyration
• Use the minimum of 𝑟𝑟𝑥𝑥 and 𝑟𝑟𝑦𝑦 for symmetric shapes
• Use minimum r with respect to principal axes for unsymmetrical shapes

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• Example 1:
• Determine the design axial capacity of the following tension member.
Also determine if the member meets recommended slenderness
limits.
• 40 foot long W 8 x 24 (A992 steel)
• ¾” diameter bolts

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 DESIGNING TENSION MEMBERS
• For yielding in the gross section:
∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
0.90𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 ≥
0.90𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔,𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
0.90𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦
• For Slenderness Limits:
𝐿𝐿
≤ 300
𝑟𝑟
𝐿𝐿
𝑟𝑟 ≤
300
𝐿𝐿
𝑟𝑟𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
300
ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
 DESIGNING TENSION MEMBERS
• For Fracture in the Net Section
∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
0.75𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
0.75𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑛𝑛 𝑈𝑈 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢

𝑠𝑠 2
0.75𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 − � 𝑑𝑑ℎ 𝑡𝑡 + � 𝑡𝑡 𝑈𝑈 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
4𝑔𝑔

Solving for the cross sectional area becomes complicated

Let
𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 ≈ 0.75𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 DESIGNING TENSION MEMBERS
• For Fracture in the Net Section
∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
0.75𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑒𝑒 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
0.75𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 0.75𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔 ≥
0.752 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔,𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
0.752 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 DESIGNING TENSION MEMBERS
• EFFICIENCY
𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸𝐸 =
∅𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛
• Rule of Thumb:
• If efficiency is 90% or greater, the member is likely the most economical selection

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• Example 1:
• Member is 30 feet long
• Service Loads
• PD = 130 kip
• PL = 110 kip
• Select a W12 section
• Use A992 steel
• 7/8” diameter bolts

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• Example 2:
• Select an 8-in. W-shape, ASTM A992,
to carry a dead load of 30 kips and a
live load of 90 kips in tension. The
member is 25 ft long. Verify the
member strength by LRFD with the
bolted end connection shown.
Verify that the member satisfies the
recommended slenderness limit.
Assume that connection limit states
do not govern.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• Example 3:
• A WT6×20, ASTM A992 member has a length of
30 ft and carries a dead load of 40 kips and a
live load of 120 kips in tension. The end
connection is fillet welded on each side for 16
in. Verify the member tensile strength by
LRFD. Assume that the gusset plate and the
weld are satisfactory.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BUILT – UP TENSION MEMBER
• Section D4 and J3.5 of AISC SCM provides:
• When a tension member is built-up from elements in continuous contact with each other, such
as a plate and a shape, or two plates, the longitudinal spacing of connectors between those
elements must not exceed 24 times the thickness of the thinner plate – or 12” if the member is
to be painted, or if it is not to be painted and not to be subjected to corrosive conditions.
• Should the member consist of unpainted weathering steel elements in continuous contact and
be subject to atmospheric corrosion, the maximum permissible connector spacing are 14
times the thickness of the thinner plate, or 7”.
• Should a tension member be built-up from two or more shapes separated by intermittent
fillers, the shapes preferably should be connected to each other at intervals such that the
slenderness ratio of the individual shapes between the fasteners does not exceed 300.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BUILT – UP TENSION MEMBER
• Section D4 and J3.5 of AISC SCM provides:
• The distance from the center of any bolts to the nearest edge of the connected part under
consideration may not be larger than 12 times the thickness of the connected part, or 6”.
• For elements in continuous contact with each other, the spacing of connectors are given in
Sections J3.3 through J3.5 of AISC SCM.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• BUILT – UP TENSION MEMBER
• Example 1:
• The two C12 x 30s shown have been
selected to support a dead tensile working
load of 120 kips and a 240 kips live tensile
working load. The member is 30 ft long,
consist of A36 steel, and has one line of
three 7/8” bolts in each channel flange 3”
on center. Determine whether the
member is satisfactory and design the
necessary tie plates. Assume centers of
bolt holes are 1.75” from the backs of the
channel.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• THREADED ROD AND CABLES
• When used as tension members, they may be simply welded at their ends, or they may be
threaded and held in place with nuts.
• These are very lightweight alternative to rolled members or plate sections that can be
used as tension members.
• Sag rods for preventing excessive deflection
• Diagonal bracing

• Slenderness limitation of not exceeding 300 does not apply.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• THREADED ROD AND CABLES
• typical rod and cable connection methods

• Available bar diameters:

• ¼” to 1 ¼” (in 1/8” increment)
• 1 ¼” to 4” (in ¼” increments)

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• THREADED ROD DESIGN
𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛 𝐴𝐴𝑏𝑏
• where:
• ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD)
• Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
• 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛 - nominal tensile stress, 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛𝑡𝑡 , or shear stress, 𝐹𝐹𝑛𝑛𝑣𝑣 from Table J3.2
• 𝐴𝐴𝑏𝑏 - nominal unthreaded body area of bolt or threaded part

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• THREADED ROD DESIGN
2
3 𝜋𝜋
2
∅𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 0.75 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑏𝑏 = 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏 2
4 4
9𝜋𝜋
∅𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏 2
64
∅𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
9𝜋𝜋
𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏 2 ≥ 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
64
2 64𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏 ≥
9𝜋𝜋𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢

8 𝑃𝑃𝑢𝑢
𝑑𝑑𝑏𝑏,𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚𝑚 =
3 𝜋𝜋𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢
ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT
 TENSION MEMBERS
• Example 1:
• A threaded rod is to be used as a bracing member that must resist a
service tensile dead load of 2 kips and live load of 6 kips. What size of
rod is required if A36 steel is used?

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• Example 2:
• Fink trusses spaced at 20 feet on centers
support W6 × 12 purlins, as shown in the
figure. The purlins are supported at their
midpoints by sag rods. Use A36 steel and
design the sag rods and the tie rod at the
ridge for the following service loads.
• Metal deck: 2 psf
• Built-up roof: 5 psf
• Rain: 18 psf of horizontal projection of the roof
surface
• Purlin weight: 12 lbs/ft of length

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS

• Example 3:
• Design A36 threaded rods for a suspended walkway (4.5” thick R.C.
slab):
• 6 ft wide walkway
• Rods spaced 20 ft longitudinally
• 100 psf live load

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• An eyebar is a special type of pin-connected member whose ends
where the pin holes are located are enlarged.
• Eyebars were very commonly used for the tension members of bridge
trusses
• Heads of eyebars are specially shaped so as to provide optimum
stress flow around the holes.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• FAILURE MODES
• Tensile rupture in the net area
• Shear rupture on the effective area
• Bearing on the projected area of the pin

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• TENSION RUPTURE ON THE NET EFFECTIVE AREA
𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 2𝑡𝑡𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑒 𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢
𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑒 = 2𝑡𝑡 + 0.63
• where:
• ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD)
• Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
• 𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑒 may not exceed the distance from the hole edge to the edge of the part
measured perpendicular to the line of force

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• SHEAR RUPTURE ON THE EFFECTIVE AREA
𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 0.6𝐹𝐹𝑢𝑢 𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠
𝑑𝑑
𝐴𝐴𝑠𝑠𝑠𝑠 = 2𝑡𝑡 𝑎𝑎 +
2
• where:
• ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD)
• Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
• a – shortest distance from the edge of the pin hole to the member edge,
measured parallel to the force

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• STRENGTH OF SURFACES IN BEARING
𝑅𝑅𝑛𝑛 = 1.8𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝
𝐴𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 = 𝑑𝑑𝑑𝑑
• where:
• ∅ = 0.75 (LRFD)
• Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
• 𝐴𝐴𝑝𝑝𝑝𝑝 – projected bearing area

• Applies to milled surfaces, pins in reamed, drilled or bored holes and

ends of fitted bearing stiffeners.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• TENSILE YIELDING IN THE GROSS SECTION
𝑃𝑃𝑛𝑛 = 𝐹𝐹𝑦𝑦 𝐴𝐴𝑔𝑔
• where:
• ∅ = 0.90 (LRFD)
• Ω = 1.67 (ASD)

• AISC Specification D6.2 says that thicknesses < ½” for both eyebars and
pin-connected plates are permissible only when external nuts are
provided to tighten the pin plates and filler plates into snug contact.
• The bearing strength is provided in AISC specification J7.

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT

 TENSION MEMBERS
• PIN – CONNECTED MEMBERS:
• DIMENSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
𝑎𝑎 ≥ 1.33𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑒

𝑤𝑤 ≥ 2𝑏𝑏𝑒𝑒 + 𝑑𝑑

𝑐𝑐 ≥ 𝑎𝑎

ENGR. CHRISTOPHER S. PALADIO ASCOT