Design of Tension

Members
Design of Tension Members Design of Steel Structures to EC3

Members that carry pure tension, generally referred to as ties, are relatively simple to
design. Load carrying capacity of tension members is essentially governed by:

• Distribution of the residual stresses due to the manufacturing process.

• Connection details of the element ends.

1.1 Resistance of cross-section

Members in tension subjected to the design axial force 𝑁𝐸𝑑 must satisfy the following
condition at every section, in accordance with European provisions:

NEd ≤ 𝑁𝑡,𝑅𝑑

The design tension resistance 𝑁𝑡,𝑅𝑑 of a cross-section is given by Clause 6.2.3(2)

of BS EN 1993-1-1 as the smaller of:

a) The design plastic resistance of the gross cross-section

𝐴 𝑓𝑦
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 =
𝛾𝑀0

b) The design ultimate resistance of the net cross-section at holes for fasteners
0.9𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 =
𝛾𝑀2

Where: 𝛾𝑀0 = 1.00 ; 𝛾𝑀2 = 1.25

It should be noted that term 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 is associated with ductile failure due to the
attainment of the yield strength, while 𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 is related to a brittle failure in the
connection section (governed by the attainment of the ultimate strength). In case of
seismic loads, the well-established capacity design approach requires a ductile
behavior of member under tension (𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 > 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 ), which could be guaranteed if:
𝑓𝑦 𝛾𝑀2 𝐴
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 ≥ . .
𝑓𝑢 𝛾𝑀0 0.9

1.2 Resistance of angles connected by one leg

When a single angle is used, reference has to be made to the criterion reported in EN
1993-1-8: a single angle in tension connected by a single row of bolts in one leg may
be treated as concentrically loaded over an effective net section for which the design
ultimate resistance 𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 has to be determined as:
2.0(𝑒2 −0.5𝑑𝑜 )𝑡𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = (For 1 bolt)
𝛾𝑀2

𝛽2 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = (For 2 bolts)
𝛾𝑀2

𝛽3 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = (For 3 bolts or more)
𝛾𝑀2

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Design of Tension Members Design of Steel Structures to EC3

Figure 1: Single angle connected by one leg via (a) one bolt, (b) two bolts and (c) three bolts.

For an intermediate value of p1 the value of β may be determined by linear interpolation.

Note:

A common detail is an angle connected by one leg using one or more rows of bolts as
shown in Figure 4.2. Unfortunately, BS EN 1993-1-8 does not give any guidance for
calculating the resistance of angles connected in this way.

Figure 2: Angle connected by one leg with two bolt rows

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Design of Tension Members Design of Steel Structures to EC3

The European connections committee, ECCS TC10, has considered this detail and
suggested that the following expression may be used for calculating the design
resistance of the section:

2.0(𝑒2 + 𝑝2 − 1.5𝑑0 )𝑡𝑓𝑢

𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 =
𝛾𝑀2

1.3 Tension Member Design Steps Summary

Figure 3: Flow chart for the design of tension members.

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Design of Tension Members Design of Steel Structures to EC3

1.4 Nominal values of yield strength 𝒇𝒚 and ultimate tensile

strength 𝒇𝒖 for hot rolled structural steel

1.5 Net area of a cross section, 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕

The total area to be deducted should be taken as the greater of:

𝑠2
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐴 − 𝑛𝑡𝑑𝑜 + 𝑡 ∑ ( )
4𝑝

where: 𝑨 is the gross area of the section

𝒏 is the number of holes extending in any zig-zag line

𝒕 is the thickness of the plate.

𝒅𝒐 is the hole diameter.

𝒔 is the staggered pitch of the two consecutive holes.

𝒑 is the spacing of the centers of the same two holes measured perpendicular
to the member axis.

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1.6 Solved Problems

Problem (1)
Determine the net area of the unequal angle 200 × 150 × 15 connected with three staggered
bolts (𝑑𝑜 = 15𝑚𝑚) 𝐴𝑔 = 50.5 𝑐𝑚2

Solution:
𝑠2
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐴 − ∑ 𝑑° 𝑡 + 𝑡 ∑
4𝑝
Fracture line (1):
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡,1 = 50.5 × 102 − 1 × (15 × 15) = 48.25 × 102 𝑚𝑚2
Fracture line (2):
602
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡,3 = 50.5 × 102 − 2 × (15 × 15) + 15 × = 49.00 × 102 𝑚𝑚2
4 × 45
Fracture line (3):
602 602
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡,2 = 50.5 × 102 − 3 × (15 × 15) + 15 × + 15 × = 50.125 × 102 𝑚𝑚2
4×45 4×40

𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕 → 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕,𝟏 = 𝟒𝟖. 𝟐𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟐 𝒎𝒎𝟐

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Problem (2)
Both flanges of a universal column section member have 22 mm diameter holes
arranged as shown in Figure (1). If the gross area of the section is 201x102 mm2 and
the flange thickness is 25 mm.

1- Determine the net area Anet of the member which is effective in tension.
2- Determine the tension resistance of the tension member using steel S355.

Solution:
𝑠2
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝐴 − ∑ 𝑑° 𝑡 + 𝑡 ∑
4𝑝
Fracture line (1):
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡,1 = 201 × 102 − 2 × 2 × (22 × 25) = 179 × 102 𝑚𝑚2
Fracture line (2):
302
𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡,2 = 201 × 102 − 2 × 4 × (22 × 25) + 2 × 2 × 25 × = 160.75 × 102 𝑚𝑚2
4 × 60

𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒎𝒊𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕 → 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕,𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔𝟎. 𝟕𝟓 × 𝟏𝟎𝟐 𝒎𝒎𝟐

𝑡𝑓 = 25𝑚𝑚 , 𝑓𝑦 = 345 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑢 = 490 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 .

𝐴 𝑓𝑦 201 × 102 × 345
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = × 10−3 = 6934.5 𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑀0 1.0
0.9𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢 0.9 × 160.75 × 102 × 490
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = × 10−3 = 5671.26 𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑀2 1.25

𝑵𝒕,𝑹𝒅 = 𝟓𝟔𝟕𝟏. 𝟐𝟔 𝑲𝑵 (𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒇 𝑵𝒑𝒍,𝑹𝒅 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑵𝒖,𝑹𝒅 ).

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Problem (3).
A UB 610 x 229 x 125 tension member of S355 steel is connected through both flanges
by 20 mm bolts (in 22 mm diameter bolt holes) in four lines, two in each flange as
shown in Figure (2). Check the member for a design tension force of 𝑁𝑡,𝐸𝑑 = 4000 KN.

Solution:
𝑡𝑓 = 19.6 𝑚𝑚 , 𝑓𝑦 = 345 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑢 = 490 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝐴 = 159 𝑐𝑚2 .
𝐴 𝑓𝑦 159 × 102 × 345
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = × 10−3 = 5485.5 𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑀0 1.0

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 159 × 102 − 4 × (22 × 19.6) = 14175.2 𝑚𝑚2

0.9𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢 0.9 × 14175.2 × 490

𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = × 10−3 = 5001 𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑀2 1.25

𝑁𝑡,𝑅𝑑 = 5001 𝐾𝑁 (𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 ) > 4000 𝐾𝑁.

So, the member is satisfactory.

Problem (4).
Verify, according to the EC3 Code, the strength of a single equal leg angle L 120 × 10
mm in tension connected on one side via one line of two M16 (d=16mm) bolts in
standard holes (𝑑𝑜 =17mm) as shown in Figure (3), (dimensions in millimeters). Bolts
connect only one side of the angle to a gusset plate. The angle is subjected to a design
axial load 𝑁𝑡,𝐸𝑑 of 350 KN.

Solution:
𝑓𝑦 = 235 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑢 = 360 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝐴 = 23.2 𝑐𝑚2 .
𝐴 𝑓𝑦 23.2 × 102 × 235
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = × 10−3 = 545.2 𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑀0 1.0

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𝛽2 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 =
𝛾𝑀2

𝑝1 = 70 𝑚𝑚 →→ 2.5𝑑° = 42.5 𝑚𝑚 & 5𝑑° = 85𝑚𝑚 →→

42.5 < 70 < 85 → linear interpolation between 0.4&0.7

→→ 𝛽2 = 0.594

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 23.2 × 102 − (17 × 10) = 2150 𝑚𝑚2

𝛽2 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢 0.594 × 2150 × 360

𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = × 10−3 = 367.80 𝐾𝑁.
𝛾𝑀2 1.25

𝑁𝑡,𝑅𝑑 = 367.80 𝐾𝑁 (𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 ) > 350 𝐾𝑁.

So, the member is satisfactory.

Problem (5).
Design unequal angle connected from the long leg loaded with an axial factored tensile
force 580 KN using steel grade S355 connected using:

(a) Welded (b) Two bolts (𝑑𝑜 = 15𝑚𝑚)

Solution:
(a) Welded
𝐴 𝑓𝑦
𝑁𝐸𝑑 ≤ 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = →
𝛾𝑀0

𝛾𝑀0 = 1.0 , 𝑓𝑦 = 355 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2

A×355×103
580 = → A = 1.63 × 10−3 𝑚2 = 16.33 𝑐𝑚2
1.0

Use angle 100 × 75 × 10 → 𝐴𝑔 = 16.6 𝑐𝑚2

(b) Two bolts (𝑑𝑜 = 15𝑚𝑚)

𝐴 𝑓𝑦
𝑁𝐸𝑑 ≤ 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = → 𝛾𝑀0 = 1.0 , 𝑓𝑦 = 355 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2
𝛾𝑀0

A×355×103
580 = → A = 1.63 × 10−3 𝑚2 = 16.33 𝑐𝑚2
1.0

Use angle 100 × 75 × 10 → 𝐴𝑔 = 16.6 𝑐𝑚2

𝛽2 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = → 𝛾𝑀2 = 1.25 , 𝑓𝑢 = 470 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2
𝛾𝑀2

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 16.6 × 102 − 1 × (10 × 15) = 15.10 × 102 𝑚𝑚2

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Design of Tension Members Design of Steel Structures to EC3

𝑝1 = 100 𝑚𝑚 →→ 2.5𝑑° = 37.5 𝑚𝑚 & 5𝑑° = 75𝑚𝑚 → 𝛽2 = 0.7

0.7×15.1×102 ×470×10−3
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = 397.43 𝐾𝑁 < 580 𝐾𝑁 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑂𝑘.
1.25

Try angle 150 × 75 × 12 → 𝐴𝑔 = 25.7 𝑐𝑚2

25.7×102 ×355×10−3
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = 912.35 𝐾𝑁 > 580 𝐾𝑁 𝑂𝑘.
1.0

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 25.7 × 102 − 1 × (12 × 15) = 23.9 × 102 𝑚𝑚2

0.7×23.9×102 ×470×10−3
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = 629.04 𝐾𝑁 > 580 𝐾𝑁 𝑂𝑘.
1.25

So, angle 150 × 75 × 12 is satisfactory.

Problem (6).
Design check of an equal angle 150 × 150 × 10 for an axial factored tensile force
300 KN using steel grade S275 connected using: (𝑑𝑜 = 22𝑚𝑚)

(a) Welded (b) One bolt (c) Two bolts (d) Three bolts

Solution:
𝑓𝑦 = 275 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝑓𝑢 = 430 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2 , 𝐴 = 29.3 𝑐𝑚2
(a) Welded
𝐴 𝑓𝑦 29.3 × 102 × 275 × 10−3
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = = 805.75 𝐾𝑁 > 300 𝐾𝑁 𝑂𝑘.
𝛾𝑀0 1.0
(b) One bolt

2.0(𝑒2 −0.5𝑑𝑜 )𝑡𝑓𝑢 2(50−0.5×22)×10×430×10−3

𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = = 268.32 𝐾𝑁
𝛾𝑀2 1.25

< 300 𝐾𝑁 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑂𝑘.

Try increase thickness or distance 𝑒2

(c) Two bolts

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 29.3 × 102 − (22 × 10) = 27.10 × 102 𝑚𝑚2

𝑝1 = 30 𝑚𝑚 →→ 2.5𝑑° = 55 𝑚𝑚 & 5𝑑° = 110 𝑚𝑚 →

𝛽2 = 0.4

𝛽2 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢 0.4 × 27.10 × 102 × 430 × 10−3

𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = = 372.9 𝐾𝑁 > 300 KN Ok
𝛾𝑀2 1.25

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(d) Three bolts

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 29.3 × 102 − (22 × 10) = 27.10 × 102 𝑚𝑚2

𝑝1 = 30 𝑚𝑚 →→ 2.5𝑑° = 55 𝑚𝑚 & 5𝑑° = 110 𝑚𝑚 →

𝛽3 = 0.5

𝛽3 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢 0.5 × 27.10 × 102 × 430 × 10−3

𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = = 466.1 𝐾𝑁 > 300 KN Ok
𝛾𝑀2 1.25

Note/ by increse the number of bolts the design capacity increse too.

Problem (7).
Design unequal angle connected from the short leg loaded with an axial factored tensile
force 580 KN using steel grade S355 connected using:

(a) Welded (b) Two bolts (𝑑𝑜 = 15𝑚𝑚)

Solution:
(a) Welded
𝐴 𝑓𝑦
𝑁𝐸𝑑 ≤ 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = →
𝛾𝑀0

𝛾𝑀0 = 1.0 , 𝑓𝑦 = 355 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2

A×355×103
580 = → A = 1.63 × 10−3 𝑚2 = 16.33 𝑐𝑚2
1.0

Use angle 100 × 75 × 10 → 𝐴𝑔 = 16.6 𝑐𝑚2

(b) Two bolts (𝑑𝑜 = 15𝑚𝑚)

𝐴 𝑓𝑦
𝑁𝐸𝑑 ≤ 𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = → 𝛾𝑀0 = 1.0 , 𝑓𝑦 = 355 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2
𝛾𝑀0

A×355×103
580 = → A = 1.63 × 10−3 𝑚2 = 16.33 𝑐𝑚2
1.0

Use angle 100 × 75 × 10 → 𝐴𝑔 = 16.6 𝑐𝑚2 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑛𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑓𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑙𝑒𝑔

𝐴𝑒 = 𝐴𝑔 𝑓𝑜𝑟 75 × 75 × 10 → Not available

𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝐴𝑒 = 𝐴𝑔 = 19.2 𝑐𝑚2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 100 × 100 × 10

We will actually use angle 200 × 100 × 10 → 𝐴𝑔 = 29.2 𝑐𝑚2

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 19.2 × 102 − 1 × (10 × 15) = 17.70 × 102 𝑚𝑚2

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𝛽2 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = → 𝛾𝑀2 = 1.25 , 𝑓𝑢 = 470 𝑁⁄𝑚𝑚2
𝛾𝑀2

𝑝1 = 100 𝑚𝑚 →→ 2.5𝑑° = 37.5 𝑚𝑚 & 5𝑑° = 75𝑚𝑚 → 𝛽2 = 0.7

0.7×17.7×102 ×470×10−3
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = 465.86 𝐾𝑁 < 580 𝐾𝑁 𝑁𝑜𝑡 𝑂𝑘.
1.25

Try angle 200 × 100 × 15 → 𝐴𝑔 = 43 𝑐𝑚2

𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝐴𝑒 = 𝐴𝑔 = 28 𝑐𝑚2 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 100 × 100 × 15

𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 28 × 102 − 1 × (10 × 15) = 26.5 × 102 𝑚𝑚2

0.7×26.5×102 ×470×10−3
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = 697.48 𝐾𝑁 > 580 𝐾𝑁 𝑂𝑘.
1.25

𝐴 𝑓𝑦 43×102 ×355×10−3
𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = = 1526.5 𝐾𝑁 > 580 𝐾𝑁 𝑂𝑘.
𝛾𝑀0 1.0

So, angle 200 × 100 × 15 connected from the short leg is satisfactory.

Notice that connect from the short leg makes the design not economic.

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1.7 Extra Problems

Problem (1)
The tension member shown in the following figure channel 200 × 90 × 30 of steel
grade S275 connected from the web using bolts 𝑑𝑜 = 18 𝑚𝑚 compute 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕 .

Problem (2)
The tension member shown in the following figure universal beam 457 × 152 × 82
of steel grade S355 connected from the web using bolts 𝑑𝑜 = 16 𝑚𝑚 compute 𝑨𝒏𝒆𝒕 .

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Problem (3)
A plate 200 mm width and 10 mm thickness connected with six bolts 𝑑𝑜 = 20 𝑚𝑚 as
shown in the following figure using steel grade S355. Check If the member is safe
and Determine tensile strength of the tension member.

Problem (4)
A channel 100 × 50 × 10 is connected with bolts in each flange as shown in the
following figure. Using steel grade S235. Check If the member is safe and
Determine tensile strength of the tension member.

Page(14) Dr.Mamoun Alqedra Eng.Mohammed AbuRahma Eng. Haya Baker

Design of Tension Members Design of Steel Structures to EC3

Problem (5)
Design a Tee shape cut from universal beam connected from the flange using three
bolts in two lines as shown in the following figure loaded with an axial factored tensile
force 300 KN using steel grade S275 (neglect the eccentricity)

Problem (6)
Design a hot finished square hollow section loaded with an axial factored tensile force
200KN using steel grade S235. The ends will be connected by welding completely
around the section.

Page(15) Dr.Mamoun Alqedra Eng.Mohammed AbuRahma Eng. Haya Baker