Design of Tension Members

Design of tension members
Tension check:
Nt ,Ed ≤ Nt ,Rd
Tensile design
effect Design tensile
resistance
Design tensile resistance Nt,Rd
Nt,Rd
gross cross- ultimate failure

section yielding Nu,Rd of the net
cross-section
Npl,Rd
whichever is the lesser.

In BS5950, these two capacity
checks are combined.
Yielding of gross cross-section
Yielding of the gross cross-

section (plastic resistance):
Afy
Npl,Rd =
γ M0
This criterion is applied to prevent
excessive deformation of the member.
Ultimate resistance of net section
The ultimate resistance of the net cross-section

(defined in clause 6.2.2.2):
0.9A net fu
Nu,Rd =
γ M2
Anet is the reduced cross-sectional area to

account for bolt holes.
Partial factors γM
Plastic resistance of the gross cross-section Npl,Rd utilises

γM0, whilst ultimate fracture of the net cross-section
Nu,Rd utilises γM2.
γ M 0 = 1.0 and γ M 2 = 1.25
The larger safety factor associated with fracture reflects

the undesirable nature of the failure mode.
Non-staggered fasteners
For a non-staggered arrangement of fasteners, the total area to be

deducted should be taken as the sum of the sectional areas of the holes on
any line (A-A) perpendicular to the member axis that passes through the
centreline of the holes.
s s
Non-staggered arrangement of fasteners

Non-staggered fasteners
Net area at bolts holes Anet on any line (A-A) perpendicular to the
member axis:
Anet = A - nd0t
A = gross cross-sectional area

n = number of bolt holes
d0 = diameter of bolt holes
t = material thickness
Staggered fasteners
A
For a staggered arrangement of

fasteners, the total area to be p
deducted should be taken as the
greater of:
B A
– the maximum sum of the s s
sectional areas of the holes on
any line (A-A) perpendicular to
the member axis
 s2 
t  nd 0 − ∑ 
–
 4p 
where
s is the staggered pitch of two consecutive holes

p is the spacing of the centres of the same two holes measured perpendicular to the member
axis
n is the number of holes extending in any diagonal or zig-zag line progressively across the
section
Σ relates to the number of diagonal paths

Angles connected by a single row
of bolts
Single angles in tension connected by a single row of bolts
through one leg, may be treated as concentrically loaded, but
with an effective net section, to give the design ultimate tensile
resistance as below.
2.0 (e 2 − 0.5d0 )tfu

With 1 bolt : Nu,Rd =
γ M2
β 2 A net fu
With 2 bolts : Nu,Rd =
γ M2
β 3 A net fu
With 3 or more bolts : Nu,Rd =
γ M2
of bolts
where β2 and β3 are reduction factors dependent
upon the bolt spacing (pitch) p1.
Anet is the net area of the angle. For an unequal

angle connected by its smaller leg, Anet should be
taken as the net section of an equivalent equal
angle of leg length equal to the smaller leg of the
unequal angle. Other symbols are defined below:
e1 p1 p1
e2 d0
Definitions for e1, e2, p1 and d0

of bolts
Reduction factors β2 and β3
Pitch p1 ≤ 2.5d0 ≥ 5.0d0
β2 (for 2 bolts) 0.4 0.7

β3 (for 3 or more
0.5 0.7
bolts)
Note: For intermediate values of pitch p1 values of β may
be determined by linear interpolation. d0 is the bolt hole
diameter.
Angles with welded end connections
For an equal angle, or an

unequal angle
connected by its larger
leg, the eccentricity
may be neglected, and
the effective area may
be taken as equal to
the gross area (clause
4.13(2) of EN 1993-1-
8).
Example: Tension member design
Design a single angle tie, using grade S355 steel, for the
member AB shown below. Consider a bolted and a welded
arrangement.
B
NEd = 541 kN
Tension member AB in truss

Cross-section resistance in tension is covered in clause

6.2.3 of EN 1993-1-1, with reference to clause 6.2.2 for the
calculation of cross-section properties.
Welded connection
Try a 125×75×10 unequal angle, welded by the
longer leg.
For an unequal angle connected (welded) by its
larger leg, the effective area may be taken as equal
to the gross area (clause 4.13(2) of EN 1993-1-8)
125×75×10
unequal angle
Gusset plate
125×75×10 unequal angle welded by longer leg

For a nominal material thickness t of 10 mm,

yield strength fy = 355 N/mm2 and ultimate
tensile strength fu = 510 N/mm2 (from T3.1).
Partial factors are γM0 = 1.00 and γM2 = 1.25.
Gross area of cross-section, A = 1920 mm2

(from Section Tables).
For yielding of the gross cross-section, plastic resistance is
given as: =
Af y 1920 × 355
N pl , Rd = = = 682 x103 N = 682 kN
γ M0 1.0
And for the ultimate resistance of the net cross-section,

concentrically loaded (defined in clause 6.2.2.2), the Eurocode
3 design expression is:
0.9 Anet f u 0.9 ×1920 × 510

N u , Rd = = = 705 ×103 N = 705 kN
γM2 1.25
The tensile resistance Nt,Rd is taken as the lesser of these two

values, and is therefore 682 kN.
682 kN > 541 kN (i.e. Nt,Rd > NEd)
Unequal angle 125×75×10 in grade S355 steel, connected by

the longer leg is therefore acceptable. For efficiency, a
smaller angle may be checked.
Bolted connection
Try a 150×90×10 unequal angle, bolted (with a line
of four 22 mm HSFG bolts, at 125 mm centres)
through the longer leg. Material properties and
partial factors are as for the welded case.
150×90×10
unequal angle
24 mm diameter holes for

22 mm HSFG bolts
Gusset plate
150×90×10 unequal angle bolted by longer leg

Gross area of cross-section, A = 2320 mm2 (from
Section Tables).
For yielding of the gross cross-section, plastic

resistance is given as:
Af y 2320 × 355
N pl , Rd = = = 824 ×103 N = 824kN
γM0 1.0
The net cross-sectional area Anet:

Anet = A – allowance for bolt holes = 2320 –
(24×10) = 2090 mm2
From Table, β3 = 0.7 (since the pitch p1 > 5d0).
β 3 Anet f u 0.7 × 2080 × 510

N u , Rd = = = 594 ×103 N = 594 kN
γM2 1.25
The tensile resistance Nt,Rd is taken as the lesser of

these two values, and is therefore 594 kN.
594kN > 541 kN (i.e. Nt,Rd > NEd)
Unequal angle 150×90×10 in grade S355 steel,

connected by the longer leg (using four 22 mm
diameter HSFG bolts) is therefore acceptable.
Tension member design exercise
A flat bar 200 mm wide × 25 mm thick is to be used as a tie
(tension member). Erection conditions require that the bar be
constructed from two lengths connected together with a lap
splice using six M20 bolts as shown below. Assume 22 mm
diameter bolt holes. Calculate the tensile strength of the bar
assuming grade S275 steel.
A
50 mm
T T
100 mm
50 mm
A
T T
25 mm thick plates
100 mm 100 mm
Cross-section resistance in tension is covered in clause 6.2.3 of
EN 1993-1-1, with reference to clause 6.2.2 for the calculation
of cross-section properties.
For a nominal material thickness t of 25 mm, yield strength fy

= 275 N/mm2 and ultimate tensile strength fu = 430 N/mm2
(from T3.1).
Partial factors are γM0 = 1.00 and γM2 = 1.25.
Gross area of cross-section, A = 25 × 200 = 5000 mm2.

Net area at bolts holes Anet on any line (A-A) perpendicular to the
member axis:
Anet = A - nd0t
= 5000 – (2 × 22 × 25) = 3900 mm2
Design plastic resistance Npl,Rd of the gross section:
Af y 5000 x 275
N pl , Rd = = = 1375 kN
γM0 1.0
Design ultimate resistance Nu,Rd of the net section:
0.9 Anet f u 0.9 x3900 x 430

N u,Rd = = = 1207 kN
γM2 1.25
The tensile resistance, Nt,Rd is taken as the smaller of Npl,Rd (1375 kN)
and Nu,Rd (1207 kN).
∴ Nt,Rd = 1207 kN

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Design of Tension Members

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Design of tension members

gross cross- ultimate failure

whichever is the lesser.

Yielding of the gross cross-

The ultimate resistance of the net cross-section

Anet is the reduced cross-sectional area to

Plastic resistance of the gross cross-section Npl,Rd utilises

γ M 0 = 1.0 and γ M 2 = 1.25

The larger safety factor associated with fracture reflects

For a non-staggered arrangement of fasteners, the total area to be

Non-staggered arrangement of fasteners

A = gross cross-sectional area

For a staggered arrangement of

s is the staggered pitch of two consecutive holes

Σ relates to the number of diagonal paths

2.0 (e 2 − 0.5d0 )tfu

Anet is the net area of the angle. For an unequal

Definitions for e1, e2, p1 and d0

Reduction factors β2 and β3

Pitch p1 ≤ 2.5d0 ≥ 5.0d0

β2 (for 2 bolts) 0.4 0.7

For an equal angle, or an

Tension member AB in truss

Cross-section resistance in tension is covered in clause

125×75×10 unequal angle welded by longer leg

For a nominal material thickness t of 10 mm,

Partial factors are γM0 = 1.00 and γM2 = 1.25.

Gross area of cross-section, A = 1920 mm2

And for the ultimate resistance of the net cross-section,

0.9 Anet f u 0.9 ×1920 × 510

The tensile resistance Nt,Rd is taken as the lesser of these two

682 kN > 541 kN (i.e. Nt,Rd > NEd)

Unequal angle 125×75×10 in grade S355 steel, connected by

24 mm diameter holes for

150×90×10 unequal angle bolted by longer leg

For yielding of the gross cross-section, plastic

The net cross-sectional area Anet:

β 3 Anet f u 0.7 × 2080 × 510

The tensile resistance Nt,Rd is taken as the lesser of

594kN > 541 kN (i.e. Nt,Rd > NEd)

Unequal angle 150×90×10 in grade S355 steel,

For a nominal material thickness t of 25 mm, yield strength fy

Partial factors are γM0 = 1.00 and γM2 = 1.25.

Gross area of cross-section, A = 25 × 200 = 5000 mm2.

= 5000 – (2 × 22 × 25) = 3900 mm2

Design plastic resistance Npl,Rd of the gross section:

0.9 Anet f u 0.9 x3900 x 430

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