Lecture 3

DESIGN OF STEEL MEMBERS

3.1 Design of Tension

Members
 Introduction
Tension members occur as principal structural
members in bridges, roof trusses,
transimission towers, wind bracing systems
etc.
They also occur as secondary members as
ties to stiffen a trussed floor system or to
provide intermediate support for a wall
cladding system.
Tension members may consists of a single structural section or
they may be built-up from a number of of structural sections.

In general, the use of a single section is more economical than

built-up sections. However, built-up members may be required
when:-

(a) a tensile capacity of single rolled section is not sufficient;

(b) the slenderness does not provide sufficient rigidity
(c) the effect of bending combined with the tensile behaviour
requires a larger lateral stifness
(d) unusual or complexity in connection details
(e) esthetics control
Introduction
The design of tension members is
g e n e ra l l y s t ra i g h t f o r w a r d . Te n s i o n
capacity is determined by:
a) Material properties
b) The presence of holes
c) Connection eccentricity
3.1 AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS

n Guidelines for design of these members are given in

Section 4.6 of BS5950
n The Tension Capacity is given by:

Pt  Ae  p y
Where:
Ae = Sum of the effective net areas ae of all elements
of the cross-section as determined from 3.4.3 but not
more than 12. times the total net area
py= Design strength as determined from 3.1.1
Table 9
BS5950
 The Design Strength (3.1.1)
n Table 9 of BS 5950-1:2000
Table 9: Design strength py
Steel Grade Thickness, Sections, Plates
Less than or and Hollow
Equal to Sections
mm N/mm2
16 275
S275 40 265
63 255
80 245
 Effective area in tension
n Where there are no holes in the member and
there is no reduction in the cross-sectional
area at connections, the effective area, Ae, is
the gross area of the section, Ag.

n Where there are holes in a member, the

cross-sectional area will be reduced and
allowance must be made for this in design.
3.1 AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS
(cont.): The Effective Net Area.

n In 3.4.3 The effective net area (Ae ) of each

element with bolt holes is given by:
Ae = Ke x Net area but < gross Area where Ke
is a factor determined by the grade of the
steel
n The Net area is the gross area less
deductions for fastener holes.
n Deductions for holes are covered in 3.4.4
The effective net area ae is given by:
Ae = Ke × an , but ≤ ag Cl. 3.4.3
where:
Ke = 1.2 for S275 steel
Ke = 1.1 for S355 steel
Ke = 1.0 for S460 steel
an is the net area of the element
ag is the gross area of the element
 Tension capacity
effects of eccentricity

Angles, channels or T-sections subject to tension with

moments caused by eccentric end connections can be
designed as ‘simple tension members’ using the
provisions of Clause 4.6.3. Other members subject to
tension and bending should be designed using Clause
4.8.2, see Section 4.4.
The design method of simple tension members used
in BS 5950-1 is to account for the bending moment
by using a reduced tension capacity as given below.
Tension capacity-effects of eccentricity
(cont.):
n Single angles, channels and T-Sections Ref. 4.6.3.1:
n tension capacity is given by

For Bolted connections: P  p ( Ae 0.5a 2 )

t y
For welded connections: P  p ( Ag  0.3a 2 )
t y
n Where a2  A g a1

Ag = Gross sectional area see 3.4.1

a1 = Gross sectional Area of the connected element
 Tension capacity-effects of eccentricity
(cont.):
n Double angles, channels and T-Sections Ref. 4.6.3.2:
n tension capacity is given by

For Bolted connections: P  p ( Ae 0.25a 2 )

t y
For welded connections: Pt  p y ( Ag  0.15a 2 )
n Where a2  A g a1

Ag = Gross sectional area see 3.4.1

a1 = Gross sectional Area of the connected element
AXIALLY LOADED TENSION MEMBERS
(cont.): The Net Area. (Ref 3.4.2)

n The Net area is the gross area less

deductions for bolt holes given in 3.4.4.

n Two cases must be considered namely:

1. The Holes not staggered (3.4.4.2)
2. Staggered holes (3.4.4.3)
Holes Not Staggered (3.4.4.2 )

n The Net Area is given by:

Anet  Agross  n  t  
n Where
n n = Maximum no. of holes in a cross section.
n t = Thickness of the member
n  = diameter of the hole.
 Staggered Holes (see 3.4.3 )
Where the holes are staggered the area to be
deducted should be the greater of:
a. The deduction for Non staggered Holes
given in 3.4.4.2

b.The sum of the sectional areas of a chain of

holes lying on any zig –zag line extending
progressively across the member or element
less an allowance of 0.25 s2t/g for each gauge
space g that it traverses diagonally where:
 Staggered Holes (see 3.4.4.3 )
g= the gauge spacing perpendicular to the direction of
direct stress, between the centers of two consecutive
holes in the chain
s= The Staggered pitch, i.e the spacing parallel to the
direction of direct stress between the centers of the
same two holes
t = Thickness of the holed material
Fig. 3 BS5950: 2000
Fig. 4 BS 5950
 Staggered Holes (see 3.4.4.3 )

Zig zag line of failure Straight line of Failure )

(3.4.4.3) (Section 3.4.4.2)

F g F
g

s s s
s
Summary of design procedure