504.

2 Tensile Strength

The design tensile strength, lf>tP n, and the allowable

tensile strength, P n/ fit, of tension members, shall be the
lower value obtained according to the limit states of
tensile yielding in the gross section and tensile rupture in
the net section.
1. For tensile yielding in the gross section:
(504.2-1)

lf>t = 0. 90 (LRFD) fit = 1. 67 (ASD)

2. For tensile rupture in the net section:

Pn = FuAe (504.2-2)

lf>t = 0. 75 (LRFD) fit = 2. 00 (ASD)

Table 510.3.3 Nominal Hole Dimensions, mm

Hole Dimensions
Bolt
Diameter Standard Oversize Short-Slot Long-Slot s longitudinal center-to-center spacing (pitch) of any
(Dia) (Dia) (Width x Length) (Width xLength) two consecutive holes, mm
g transverse center-to-center spacing (gage) between
Ml6 18 20 18 X 22 18 x40 fastener gage lines, mm
M20 22 24 22 X 26 22 X 50
M22 24 28 24 X 30 24 X 55
M24 27(a) 30 27 X 32 27 x60 For angles, the gage for holes in opposite adjacent legs
M27 30 35 30 X 37 30 X 67 shall be the sum of the gages from the back of the angles
M30 33 38 33 X 40 33 X 75
:O:M36 d+3 d+ 8 (d+3)x(d+ 10) (d+ 3)x 2.5 d less the thickness.

' 1 Clearance provided allows the use of a M30 bolt if desirable. User Note: Section 51 0.4.1 .(2) limits An to a maximum of
0. 85Ag connection design for splice plates with holes.
504.3.3 Effective Net Area

The effective area of tension members shall be

determined as follows:

(504.3-1)

where U, the shear lag factor, is determined as shown in

Table 504.3. 1.
 Table 504.3.1 Shear Lag Factors for Connections to Tension Members
Case Description of Element Shear Lag Factor, U Example
All tension members where the tension load is transmitted
I directly to each of cross-sectional elements by fasteners or U= 1.0 --
welds. (except as in Cases 3, 4, 5 and 6)
All tension members, except plates and HSS, where the _ :srr-

l '~
tension load is transmitted to some but not all of the :t=
2 u = 1-~l
cross-sectional elements by fasteners or longitudinal welds
(Alternately, for W, M, Sand HP, Case 7 may be used .) d fS
All tension members where the tension load is transmitted
u = 1.0
and
3 by transverse welds to some but not all of the cross-
sectional elements.
An =area of the directly -
connected elements
l;::: 2w ... U = 1.0
Plates where the tension load is transmitted by longitudinal 2w > l ;::: l.Sw ... U = 0.87
4
welds only. 1.5w > l;::: w ... U = 0.75 ~i:i
-1
.l
1-
r-
l ;::: 1.3D ... U = 1.0
D~ l < 1.3D ... U = 1 - ~
5 Round HSS with a single concentric gusset plate.
x = D/rr
ffi
m
x
l;:::H ... U=1-y
with a single
concentric gusset plate
8 2 + 28H
6 Rectangular HSS x- 4(8 +H)

with two side gusset

plates

with flange connected

with 3 or more
l >
- H ... U -·1--
-
82
x- 4(8 +H)
l

b1 ?.213d ... U= 0.90

x

m
W, M, S or HP Shapes or Tees fasteners per line in b1 < 2/3d ... U= 0.85 -
cut from these shapes. (If U is direction of loading_
7
calculated per Case 2, the larger with web connected
value is permitted to be used) with 4 or more
U=0.70 --
fasteners per line in
direction of loading
with 4 or more
fasteners per line in U=0.80 -
Single angles (If U is calculated direction of loading
8 per Case 2, the larger value is
with 2 or 3 fasteners
permitted to be used
per line in the U=0.60
direction of loading
-
l = length of connection, mm; w =plate width, mm; x = connection eccentricity, mm B = overall width of
rectangular HSS member, measured 90 degrees to the plane of the connection, mm; H = overall height of
rectangular HSS member, measured in the plane of the connection, mm.
 TENSION MEMBERS
Problems:

Tensile Strength

1. A 1⁄2 × 5 plate of A36 steel is used as a tension

member. It is connected to a gusset plate with four 5⁄8-
inch-diameter bolts as shown below. Assume that the
effective net area Ae equals the actual net area An (we
cover computation of effective net area in Section 3.3).
a. What is the design strength for LRFD?
b. What is the allowable strength for ASD?

2. A single-angle tension member, an L31⁄2 × 31⁄2 × 3⁄8, is connected to a gusset plate with 7⁄8-inch-
diameter bolts as shown below. A36 steel is used. The service loads are 35 kips dead load and 15 kips
live load. Investigate this member for compliance with the AISC Specification. Assume that the effective
net area is 85% of the computed net area.
a. Use LRFD.
b. Use ASD

3. A double-angle shape is shown below. The steel is A36, and the holes are for 1⁄2-inch-diameter bolts.
Assume that Ae = 0.75An.
a. Determine the design tensile strength for LRFD.
b. Determine the allowable strength for ASD.
 504.2 Tensile Strength

The design tensile strength, lf>tP n, and the allowable

tensile strength, P n/ fit, of tension members, shall be the
lower value obtained according to the limit states of
tensile yielding in the gross section and tensile rupture in
the net section.
1. For tensile yielding in the gross section:
(504.2-1)

lf>t = 0. 90 (LRFD) fit = 1. 67 (ASD)

2. For tensile rupture in the net section:

Pn = FuAe (504.2-2)

lf>t = 0. 75 (LRFD) fit = 2. 00 (ASD)

TENSION MEMBERS
Problems:

Tensile Strength

1. A 1⁄2 × 5 plate of A36 steel is used as a tension

member. It is connected to a gusset plate with four 5⁄8-
inch-diameter bolts as shown below. Assume that the
effective net area Ae equals the actual net area An (we
cover computation of effective net area in Section 3.3).
a. What is the design strength for LRFD?
b. What is the allowable strength for ASD?
2. A single-angle tension member, an L31⁄2 × 31⁄2 × 3⁄8, is connected to a gusset plate with 7⁄8-inch-
diameter bolts as shown below. A36 steel is used. The service loads are 35 kips dead load and 15 kips
live load. Investigate this member for compliance with the AISC Specification. Assume that the effective
net area is 85% of the computed net area.
a. Use LRFD.
b. Use ASD
3. A double-angle shape is shown below. The steel is A36, and the holes are for 1⁄2-inch-diameter bolts.
Assume that Ae = 0.75An.
a. Determine the design tensile strength for LRFD.
b. Determine the allowable strength for ASD.
Effective Area

4. Determine the effective net area for the tension member shown below.

5. If the tension member of question no. 4 is welded as shown below, determine the effective area.

Staggered Fasteners

6. Compute the smallest net area for the plate shown below. The holes are for 1-inch-diameter bolts.
 4. Determine the effective net area for the tension member shown below.

5. If the tension member of question no. 4 is welded as shown below, determine the effectiv

5. If the tension member of question no. 4 is welded as shown below, determine the effective area.

ggered Fasteners
6. Compute the smallest net area for the plate shown below. The holes are for 1-inch-diameter bolts.
6. Compute the smallest net area for the plate shown below. The holes are for 1-inch-diameter bolts.

6. Compute the smallest net area for the plate shown below. The holes are for 1-inch-diameter bolts.
 7. An angle with staggered fasteners in each leg is shown below. A36 steel is used, and holes are for 7⁄8-
inch-diameter bolts.
a. Determine the design strength for LRFD.
b. Determine the allowable strength for ASD.

8. Determine the smallest net area for the American Standard Channel shown below. The holes are for
5⁄8-inch-diameter bolts.

Design of tension members

8.11. A tension member with a length of 5 feet 9 inches must resist a service dead load of 18 kips and a
service live load of 52 kips. Select a member with a rectangular cross section. Use A36 steel and
9. Findassume a connection
the available withofone
strength the line of 7⁄8-inch-diameter
S-shape shown below. The holes are for 3⁄4-inch-diameter bolts. Use
bolts.
A36
9.12. steel.
Select an 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 steel. The connection is shown below.

Threaded rods and cables

13. A threaded rod is to be used as a bracing member that must resist a service tensile load of 2 kips dead
load and 6 kips live load. What size rod is required if A36 steel is used?
7. An angle with staggered fasteners in each leg is shown below. A36 steel is used, and holes are for 7⁄8-
inch-diameter bolts.
a. Determine the design strength for LRFD.
b. Determine the allowable strength for ASD.
8.11. A tension member with a length of 5 feet 9 inches must resist a service dead load of 18 kips and a
service live load of 52 kips. Select a member with a rectangular cross section. Use A36 steel and
assume
9. Find a connection
the available withofone
strength the line of 7⁄8-inch-diameter
S-shape shown below. The holes
bolts. Useare for 3⁄4-inch-diameter bolts. Use
LRFD.
 assume a connection with one line of 7⁄8-inch-diameter bolts.
A36
9.12. steel.
Select an 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 steel. The connection is shown below. Use ASD.
 assume a connection with one line of 7⁄8-inch-diameter bolts.
A36
9.12. steel.
Select an 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 steel. The connection is shown below. Use ASD.
510.4.3 Block Shear Strength

(51 0.4-5)

cfJ = 0. 75(LRFD) !l = 2. OO(ASD)

where
gross area subject to shear, mm2
net area subject to tension, mm 2
net area subject to shear, mm 2

Where the tension stress is uniform, U bs = 1; where the

tension stress is nonuniform, U bs = 0. 5.

User Note: The cases where Ubs must be taken equal to

0.5
 Block Shear

10. Compute the block shear strength of the tension member shown below. The holes are for 7⁄8-inch-
diameter bolts, and A36 steel is used.
a. Use LRFD.
b. Use ASD.

510.4.3 Block Shear Strength

Design of tension members

11. A tension member with a length of 5 feet 9 inches must resist a service dead load of 18 kips and a
service live load of 52 kips. Select(51
a member
0.4-5) with a rectangular cross section. Use A36 steel and
assume a connection with one line of 7⁄8-inch-diameter bolts.
cfJ Select
12. = 0. 75(LRFD)
an unequal-leg = 2. OO(ASD)
!l angle tension member 15 feet long to resist a service dead load of 35 kips and a
where service live load of 70 kips. Use A36 steel. The connection is shown below.
gross area subject to shear, mm2
net area subject to tension, mm 2
net area subject to shear, mm 2

Where the tension stress is uniform, U bs = 1; where the

tension stress is nonuniform, U bs = 0. 5.

User Note: The cases where Ubs must be taken equal to

0.5

Threaded rods and cables

13. A threaded rod is to be used as a bracing member that must resist a service tensile load of 2 kips dead
load and 6 kips live load. What size rod is required if A36 steel is used?