DISEO DE MIEMBROS A TRACCIN SEGN

COVENIN 1618-98
75

COVENIN MINDUR 1618-9 ESTRUCTURAS DE ACERO PARA EDIFICACIONES

PARTE 3

DISEO DE MIEMBROS

CAPTULO 14 MIEMBROS A TRACCIN

14.1 ALCANCE
Este Captulo se aplicar a los miembros prismticos solicitados por traccin normal causada por
fuerzas que actan a lo largo de su eje baricntrico. Para miembros solicitados por tensiones
combinadas de traccin normal y flexin, vase el Captulo 15. Para las barras roscadas, vase el
Captulo 21. Para la resistencia por bloque de corte de las conexiones extremas de miembros
traccionados, vase la Seccin 21.14.3. Para la resistencia de diseo a traccin de los elementos
conectores, vase el Artculo 21.15. Para el diseo por fatiga, vase el Apndice D.
14.2 LONGITUD PARA EL DISEO
A menos que en esta Norma se especifique de otra manera, la longitud de diseo de los miembros
traccionados normalmente, L, ser la longitud no arriostrada lateralmente, definida como la distancia
entre los baricentros de los miembros que los restringen lateralmente.

14.3 RELACIN DE ESBELTEZ

La relacin de esbeltez de los miembros traccionados ser su longitud no arriostrada, L, dividida por
el correspondiente radio de giro, r, es decir L/r.
La relacin de esbeltez de los miembros traccionados distintos a las barras, preferentemente no
exceder de 300. Este lmite puede ser obviado cuando se disponen de otros medios para controlar la
flexibilidad, el combamiento, la vibracin y el aflojamiento que puedan ocurrir durante las condiciones
de servicio de la estructura o cuando pueda demostrase que no perjudica el desempeo de la estructura
o el conjunto del cual el miembro forma parte.
14.4 RESISTENCIA
La resistencia minorada de los miembros sometidos a traccin, It Nt , ser el menor valor que se
obtenga de considerar los estados lmite de cedencia en la seccin del rea total y de fractura en la
seccin del rea neta efectiva.
(1) Cedencia en la seccin del rea total



It = 0.90
Nt = Fy A

(14-1)

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(2) Fractura en la seccin del rea neta efectiva

It = 0.75
Nt = Fu Ae

(14-2)

donde:
A = rea total de la seccin transversal del miembro.
Ae = rea neta efectiva, calculada segn el Artculo 7.3.
Nt = Resistencia terica a traccin normal.

It = Factor de minoracin de la resistencia terica.
Para el diseo de los miembros sin perforaciones conectados completamente por medios de
soldaduras, se utilizar la frmula (14-2), usando como rea neta efectiva el valor definido en el
Artculo 7.3. Cuando existan agujeros en un miembro con conexiones soldadas, o cuando las
conexiones soldadas sean soldaduras de tapn o de ranura, en la frmula (14-2) se utilizar el rea neta
calculada a travs de la sucesin de agujeros, tal como se defini en el Artculo 7.2.
14.5 MIEMBROS COMPUESTOS
Los miembros traccionados constituidos por dos o ms perfiles o planchas, separados unos de otros
por planchas de relleno intermitentes, se conectarn entre s en lo sitios donde se colocan los rellenos a
intervalos tales que la relacin de esbeltez de cada uno de los elementos componentes entre conectores
no exceda de 300. La separacin longitudinal de los conectores que conectan una plancha y un perfil
en un miembro compuesto sometido a traccin, o dos planchas componentes en contacto entre ser la
indicada en los Artculos 22.4 y 22.5.
En los lados abiertos de los miembros compuestos sometidos a traccin pueden utilizarse tanto
planchas de cubierta con agujeros de acceso como presillas sin rejillas. Las presillas tendrn una
longitud no menor que dos tercios de la distancia entre las lneas de conectores o soldaduras que los
unen a los componentes del miembro, y su espesor no ser inferior a 0.02 veces la distancia entre esas
lneas. La separacin longitudinal de sus conectores o soldaduras intermitentes no exceder de 150 mm.
La separacin de las presillas ser tal que la relacin de esbeltez de cualquier elemento componente
entre ellas no sea superior a 300.
14.6 MIEMBROS CONECTADOS CON PASADORES
El diseo de las bielas simples, constituidas por barras o planchas de espesor uniforme sin
refuerzo en la zona del agujero para el pasador, cumplir con los requisitos de la Seccin 14.6.1. Las

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133

21.14.2 Resistencia a la rotura por traccin

La resistencia minorada a lo largo del plano de traccin en los elementos afectados de los miembros
conectados ser igual a I Rt , donde :
Rt = Fu Ant

Importante! Actualizado
con AISC 360-10

(21-2)

Ant = rea neta sometida a traccin

I = 0.75
21.14.3 Resistencia por rotura en el bloque de corte
Se verificar el estado lmite de agotamiento resistente por rotura en el bloque de corte en las
conexiones de los extremos de las vigas cuya ala superior haya sido cortada y desmembrada y
situaciones similares, en los miembros traccionados y en las planchas usadas como cartelas ( planchas
de nodos). La resistencia minorada a la rotura por bloque de corte, I Rbs , estar determinada por el
mecanismo que controle el modo de falla:
(a) Cuando Fu Ant t 0.6 Fu Anv , el mecanismo de falla es de cedencia por corte y fractura por
traccin
I Rbs = I [0.6 Fy Av + Fu Ant]

(21-3a)

(b) Cuando 0.6 Fu Anv > Fu Ant, el mecanismo de falla es de cedencia por traccin y fractura por
corte
I Rbs = I [ 0.6 Fu Anv + Fy At ]

(21-3b)

(c) En todos los casos I Rbs d I [ 0.6 Fu Anv + Fy Ant ]

En las frmulas (21-3),
Ant = rea neta traccionada.
Anv = rea neta sometida a corte.
At = rea total traccionada.
Av = rea total sometida a corte.
I

= 0.75.

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C-139

A pesar de que actualizamos esta

seccin con el AISC 360-10, estas
figuras siguen siendo vlidas

FIGURA C-21.5

Ejemplos de falla por ruptura en el bloque de corte (zona sombreada)

FIGURA C-21.6

Mecanismo de ruptura por bloque de corte.

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FIGURA C-21.7

Definicin de variables para el clculo del bloque de corte.

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CAPTULO 7 REAS TOTALES, NETAS Y EFECTIVAS

7.1 REA TOTAL
El rea de la seccin transversal total, A, en un punto cualquiera de un miembro se determinar
sumando las reas obtenidas al multiplicar el espesor y el ancho de cada uno de los elementos
componentes, debindose medir los anchos perpendicularmente al eje del miembro. En los perfiles
angulares el ancho total es igual a la suma de los anchos de los dos lado menos el espesor.
7.2

REA NETA

El rea de la seccin neta, An , se determinar sumando las reas obtenidas al multiplicar el espesor
y el ancho neto de cada uno de los elementos componentes , calculado el ancho neto como se indica a
continuacin:
Al calcular las reas netas de los elementos en traccin y corte, los dimetros de los agujeros , da ,
se considerarn 2 milmetros (1/16 plg.) mayores que la dimensin nominal del agujero, dh, o 3 mm
(1/8)mayores que el dimetro nominal del perno, d.
da = dh + 2 mm = d + 3 mm

(7-1)

En el caso de una sucesin de agujeros que se extienda a travs de una parte del miembro segn una
lnea cualquiera diagonal o en zigzag, el ancho neto de esa parte se obtendr al restar del ancho total la
suma de los dimetros de todas los agujeros circulares o alargados (definidos en el Artculo 22.3) en la
sucesin considerada y aadiendo para cada espacio entre los agujeros de la sucesin la cantidad. En
esta expresin la separacin longitudinal medida centro a centro entre dos agujeros consecutivos
cualesquiera y medida paralelamente al eje del miembro, se le denomina paso, s. La separacin
transversal centro a centro entre los mismos dos agujeros, medida perpendicularmente al eje del
miembro; se le denomina gramil, g.
En los perfiles L, la separacin transversal o gramil, g ,entre agujeros que estn situados en lados
opuestos ser la suma de las separaciones transversales medidas desde el borde exterior del ngulo
menos el espesor.
Al determinar el rea neta a travs de soldaduras de tapn o de canal, el metal de aporte de la
soldadura no se considera como contribuyente al rea neta.
7.3 REA NETA EFECTIVA EN MIEMBROS SOLICITADOS EN TRACCIN
El rea neta efectiva, Ae , en miembros traccionados se calcular como se indica a continuacin:
7.3.1 Cuando la solicitacin de traccin se transmite directamente a todos y cada uno de los elementos
de la seccin transversal por medio de pernos o soldadura, el rea neta efectiva ser igual al rea neta,
es decir, Ae = An.

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7.3.2 Cuando la solicitacin de traccin se transmite por medio de pernos a travs de algunos, pero no
de todos los elementos de la seccin transversal del miembro, el rea neta efectiva se obtendr al
multiplicar el rea A, definida a continuacin para cada tipo de conexin, por el factor de reduccin del
rea, IA , calculado segn la frmula (7-2) o tomando los valores dados para las conexiones soldadas
en la Subseccin 7.3.2.2:
Ae = IA A

(7-2)

IA = 1 - ( x / L) d 0.9

(7-3)

En la frmula (7-3):
L = Longitud de la conexin medida en la direccin de la carga.
_

x = Excentricidad de la conexin.

Cuando se justifiquen por ensayos u otros criterios racionales se permitirn valores mayores del
factor de reduccin del rea, IA.
7.3.3 Cuando la fuerza de traccin se transmite solamente por medios de pernos, el rea ser igual al
rea neta del miembro, es decir, A = An.
7.3.4 Cuando la fuerza de traccin se transmite solamente por soldaduras transversales, el valor del
factor de reduccin del rea, IA, se tomar igual a la unidad y el rea A ser el rea de los elementos
directamente conectados.
7.3.5 Cuando la solicitacin de traccin se transmite directamente a los miembros solamente por
soldaduras longitudinales o por medio de una combinacin de soldaduras longitudinales y
transversales, el rea A ser igual al rea total del miembro.
7.3.6 Cuando la fuerza de traccin se transmite a una plancha por medio de soldaduras longitudinales a
lo largo de ambos bordes del extremo de la misma, el rea A se tomar igual al rea de la plancha, Ap.
La longitud de la soldadura, L, no ser menor al ancho de la plancha o separacin entre soldaduras, w,
es decir, L t w:
Para
L t 2w........................................ IA = 1.00
Para 2w > L t 1.5w........................................ IA = 0.87
Para 1.5w > L t w .. ..................................... IA = 0.75
Las planchas de empalme, las cartelas y otros elementos de conexin solicitados a traccin se
disearn en concordancia con la Seccin 21.15.1, donde se define su rea efectiva.

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Alternativamente al uso de la frmula (7-3), pueden emplearse los siguientes valores del factor de

reducccin del rea, IA:

(a)

En perfiles con alas de anchos superiores a 2/3 de la altura y las tes

estructurales cortadas de estos perfiles, siempre que la conexin se haga en
las alas y que no tenga menos de 3 medios de unin por lnea en la direccin
de la traccin..................................................................................................
IA = 0.90

(b)

En perfiles que no cumplan con las condiciones del literal anterior, las tes
estructurales cortadas de estos perfiles y cualquier otro perfil, incluyendo los
ensamblados, siempre que la conexin no tenga menos de 3 medios de
unin por lnea en la direccin de la traccin.................................................. IA = 0.85

(c)

En todos los elementos con conexiones empernadas o soldadas que tengan

solamente dos medios de unin por lnea en la direccin de la
traccin............................................................................................................ IA = 0.75

Cuando la carga de traccin es transmitida por soldadura de filete a algunos pero no todos los
elementos de una seccin transversal, la resistencia de la soldadura controlar el diseo.

Atencin!
Esta seccin la
actualizamos con el AISC
360-10

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FIGURA C-7.1. Ejemplos de clculo de rea neta

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C-35

FIGURA C-7.2. Determinacin de la excentricidad de la conexin, X para el clculo de coeficiente de reduccin IA

FIGURA C-7.3. Agujeros en tres bolillos

FIGURA C-7.4. Soldaduras longitudinales y transversales.

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DISEO DE MIEMBROS A TRACCIN SEGN AISC 360-10

16.126

CHAPTER D
DESIGN OF MEMBERS FOR TENSION

This chapter applies to members subject to axial tension caused by static forces acting
through the centroidal axis.
The chapter is organized as follows:
D1.
D2.
D3.
D4.
D5.
D6.

Slenderness Limitations
Tensile Strength
Effective Net Area
Built-Up Members
Pin-Connected Members
Eyebars

Estos dos puntos son muy importantes! En la

prctica, lo indicado en la seccin J4.3
controla tpicamente el diseo de los miembros
a traccin

User Note: For cases not included in this chapter the following sections apply:
B3.11
Members subject to fatigue
Chapter H
Members subject to combined axial tension and flexure
J3
Threaded rods
J4.1
Connecting elements in tension
J4.3
Block shear rupture strength at end connections of tension
members

D1.

SLENDERNESS LIMITATIONS
There is no maximum slenderness limit for members in tension.
User Note: For members designed on the basis of tension, the slenderness ratio
L /r preferably should not exceed 300. This suggestion does not apply to rods or
hangers in tension.

D2.

TENSILE STRENGTH
The design tensile strength, t Pn, and the allowable tensile strength, Pn /t, 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.
(a) For tensile yielding in the gross section:
Pn = Fy Ag
t = 0.90 (LRFD)

(D2-1)

t = 1.67 (ASD)

(b) For tensile rupture in the net section:

Pn = Fu Ae
t = 0.75 (LRFD)

(D2-2)

t = 2.00 (ASD)

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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Sect. D4.]

BUILT-UP MEMBERS

16.127

where
Ae = effective net area, in.2 (mm2)
Ag = gross area of member, in.2 (mm2)
Fy = specified minimum yield stress, ksi (MPa)
Fu = specified minimum tensile strength, ksi (MPa)
When members without holes are fully connected by welds, the effective net area
used in Equation D2-2 shall be as defined in Section D3. When holes are present in
a member with welded end connections, or at the welded connection in the case of
plug or slot welds, the effective net area through the holes shall be used in Equation
D2-2.

D3.

EFFECTIVE NET AREA

The gross area, Ag, and net area, An, of tension members shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of Section B4.3.
The effective net area of tension members shall be determined as follows:
Ae = AnU

(D3-1)

where U, the shear lag factor, is determined as shown in Table D3.1.

For open cross sections such as W, M, S, C or HP shapes, WTs, STs, and single and
double angles, the shear lag factor, U, need not be less than the ratio of the gross area
of the connected element(s) to the member gross area. This provision does not apply
to closed sections, such as HSS sections, nor to plates.
User Note: For bolted splice plates Ae = An 0.85Ag, according to Section J4.1.

D4.

BUILT-UP MEMBERS
For limitations on the longitudinal spacing of connectors between elements in continuous contact consisting of a plate and a shape or two plates, see Section J3.5.
Either perforated cover plates or tie plates without lacing are permitted to be used on
the open sides of built-up tension members. Tie plates shall have a length not less
than two-thirds the distance between the lines of welds or fasteners connecting them
to the components of the member. The thickness of such tie plates shall not be less
than one-fiftieth of the distance between these lines. The longitudinal spacing of
intermittent welds or fasteners at tie plates shall not exceed 6 in. (150 mm).
User Note: The longitudinal spacing of connectors between components should
preferably limit the slenderness ratio in any component between the connectors to
300.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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16.128

BUILT-UP MEMBERS

[Sect. D4.

TABLE D3.1
Shear Lag Factors for Connections
to Tension Members
Case
1

Description of Element

Shear Lag Factor, U

All tension members where the tension

load is transmitted directly to each of the
cross-sectional elements by fasteners or
welds (except as in Cases 4, 5 and 6).
All tension members, except plates
and HSS, where the tension load is transmitted to some but not all of the crosssectional elements by fasteners or longitudinal welds or by longitudinal welds in
combination with transverse welds. (Alternatively, for W, M, S and HP, Case 7 may
be used. For angles, Case 8 may be used.)
All tension members where the tension
load is transmitted only by transverse
welds to some but not all of the
cross-sectional elements.
Plates where the tension load is
transmitted by longitudinal welds only.

Example

U = 1.0

U = 1 x l

U = 1.0
and
An = area of the directly
connected elements
/ 2wU = 1.0
2w > / 1.5wU = 0.87
1.5w > / wU = 0.75

Round HSS with a single concentric

gusset plate

/ 1.3DU = 1.0

D l < 1.3D U = 1 x l
x =D

Rectangular HSS

with a single
concentric gusset
plate

l H U = 1 x l

with two side gusset

plates

l H U = 1 x l

x=

B 2 + 2BH
4(B + H )

x=
7

W, M, S or HP
Shapes or Tees cut
from these shapes.
(If U is calculated
per Case 2, the
larger value is permitted to be used.)

Single and double

angles (If U is
calculated per
Case 2, the larger
value is permitted
to be used.)

with flange connected with 3 or

more fasteners per
line in the direction
of loading
with web connected
with 4 or more fasteners per line in the
direction of loading
with 4 or more fasteners per line in the
direction of loading
with 3 fasteners per
line in the direction
of loading (With
fewer than 3 fasteners per line in the
direction of loading,
use Case 2.)

B2
4(B + H )

bf 2/3dU = 0.90
bf < 2/3dU = 0.85

U = 0.70

U = 0.80

U = 0.60

l = length of connection, in. (mm); w = plate width, in. (mm); x = eccentricity of connection, in. (mm); B = overall width
of rectangular HSS member, measured 90 to the plane of the connection, in. (mm); H = overall height of rectangular
HSS member, measured in the plane of the connection, in. (mm)

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Page 13 of 22

16.1282

CHAPTER D
DESIGN OF MEMBERS FOR TENSION

The provisions of Chapter D do not account for eccentricities between the lines of action of
connected assemblies.

D1.

SLENDERNESS LIMITATIONS
The advisory upper limit on slenderness in the User Note is based on professional
judgment and practical considerations of economics, ease of handling, and care
required so as to minimize inadvertent damage during fabrication, transport and erection. This slenderness limit is not essential to the structural integrity of tension
members; it merely assures a degree of stiffness such that undesirable lateral movement (slapping or vibration) will be unlikely. Out-of-straightness within
reasonable tolerances does not affect the strength of tension members. Applied tension tends to reduce, whereas compression tends to amplify, out-of-straightness.
For single angles, the radius of gyration about the z-axis produces the maximum L/r
and, except for very unusual support conditions, the maximum KL /r.

D2.

TENSILE STRENGTH
Because of strain hardening, a ductile steel bar loaded in axial tension can resist
without rupture a force greater than the product of its gross area and its specified
minimum yield stress. However, excessive elongation of a tension member due to
uncontrolled yielding of its gross area not only marks the limit of its usefulness but
can precipitate failure of the structural system of which it is a part. On the other hand,
depending upon the reduction of area and other mechanical properties of the steel,
the member can fail by rupture of the net area at a load smaller than required to yield
the gross area. Hence, general yielding of the gross area and rupture of the net area
both constitute limit states.
The length of the member in the net area is generally negligible relative to the total
length of the member. Strain hardening is easily reached in the vicinity of holes and
yielding of the net area at fastener holes does not constitute a limit state of practical
significance.
Except for HSS that are subjected to cyclic load reversals, there is no information
that the factors governing the strength of HSS in tension differ from those for other
structural shapes, and the provisions in Section D2 apply. Because the number of different end connection types that are practical for HSS is limited, the determination
of the effective net area, Ae, can be simplified using the provisions in Chapter K.

D3.

EFFECTIVE NET AREA

Section D3 deals with the effect of shear lag, applicable to both welded and bolted
tension members. Shear lag is a concept used to account for uneven stress distribuSpecification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Page 14 of 22

Comm. D3.]

EFFECTIVE NET AREA

16.1283

tion in connected members where some but not all of their elements (flange, web,
leg, etc.) are connected. The reduction coefficient, U, is applied to the net area, An,
of bolted members and to the gross area, Ag, of welded members. As the length of
the connection, l, is increased, the shear lag effect diminishes. This concept is
expressed empirically by the equation for U. Using this expression to compute the
effective area, the estimated strength of some 1,000 bolted and riveted connection
test specimens, with few exceptions, correlated with observed test results within a
scatterband of 10% (Munse and Chesson, 1963). Newer research provides further
justification for the current provisions (Easterling and Gonzales, 1993).
For any given profile and configuration of connected elements, x is the perpendicular distance from the connection plane, or face of the member, to the centroid of the
member section resisting the connection force, as shown in Figure C-D3.1. The
length, l, is a function of the number of rows of fasteners or the length of weld. The
length, l, is illustrated as the distance, parallel to the line of force, between the first
and last row of fasteners in a line for bolted connections. The number of bolts in a
line, for the purpose of the determination of l, is determined by the line with the maximum number of bolts in the connection. For staggered bolts, the out-to-out
dimension is used for l, as shown in Figure C-D3.2.

Fig. C-D3.1. Determination of x for U.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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16.1284

EFFECTIVE NET AREA

[Comm. D3.

From the definition of the plastic section modulus, Z = | Ai di |, where Ai is the area
of a cross-sectional element and di is the perpendicular distance from the plastic neutral axis to the center of gravity of the element; x for cases like that shown on the
right hand side of Figure C-D3.1(c) is Zy /A. Because the section shown is symmetric about the vertical axis and that axis is also the plastic neutral axis, the first
moment of the area to the left is Zy /2, where Zy is the plastic section modulus of the
entire section. The area of the left side is A/2; therefore, by definition
x = Zy /A. For

the case shown on the right hand side of Figure C-D3.1(b), x = d/2 Zx /A. Note that
the plastic neutral axis must be an axis of symmetry for this relationship to apply.
There is insufficient data for establishing a value of U if all lines have only one bolt,
but it is probably conservative to use Ae equal to the net area of the connected element. The limit states of block shear (Section J4.3) and bearing (Section J3.10),
which must be checked, will probably control the design.
The ratio of the area of the connected element to the gross area is a reasonable lower
bound for U and allows for cases where the calculated U based on (1x / l )
is very small, or nonexistent, such as when a single bolt per gage line is used and
l = 0. This lower bound is similar to other design specifications, for example the
AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges (AASHTO, 2002), which
allow a U based on the area of the connected portion plus half the gross area of the
unconnected portion.
The effect of connection eccentricity is a function of connection and member stiffness and may sometimes need to be considered in the design of the tension
connection or member. Historically, engineers have neglected the effect of eccentricity in both the member and the connection when designing tension-only bracing.
In Cases 1a and 1b shown in Figure C-D3.3, the length of the connection required
to resist the axial loads will usually reduce the applied axial load on the bolts to a
negligible value. For Case 2, the flexibility of the member and the connections will
allow the member to deform such that the resulting eccentricity is relieved to a considerable extent.

Fig. C-D3.2. Determination of l for U of bolted connections

with staggered holes.

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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Comm. D3.]

EFFECTIVE NET AREA

16.1285

For welded connections, l is the length of the weld parallel to the line of force as
shown in Figure C-D3.4 for longitudinal and longitudinal plus transverse welds. For
welds with unequal lengths, use the average length.
End connections for HSS in tension are commonly made by welding around the
perimeter of the HSS; in this case, there is no shear lag or reduction in the gross area.

Case 1a. End Rotation Restrained by Connection to Rigid Abutments

Case 1b. End Rotation Restrained by Symmetry

Case 2. End Rotation Not RestrainedConnection to Thin Plate

Fig. C-D3.3. The effect of connection restraint on eccentricity.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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16.1286

EFFECTIVE NET AREA

[Comm. D3.

Alternatively, an end connection with gusset plates can be used. Single gusset plates
may be welded in longitudinal slots that are located at the centerline of the cross section. Welding around the end of the gusset plate may be omitted for statically loaded
connections to prevent possible undercutting of the gusset and having to bridge the
gap at the end of the slot. In such cases, the net area at the end of the slot is the critical area as illustrated in Figure C-D3.5. Alternatively, a pair of gusset plates can be
welded to opposite sides of a rectangular HSS with flare bevel groove welds with no
reduction in the gross area.
For end connections with gusset plates, the general provisions for shear lag in Case
2 of Table D3.1 can be simplified and the connection eccentricity can be explicitly
defined as in Cases 5 and 6. In Cases 5 and 6 it is implied that the weld length, l,
should not be less than the depth of the HSS. This is consistent with the weld length
requirements in Case 4. In Case 5, the use of U = 1 when l 1.3D is based on
research (Cheng and Kulak, 2000) that shows rupture occurs only in short connections and in long connections the round HSS tension member necks within its length
and failure is by member yielding and eventual rupture.
The shear lag factors given in Cases 7 and 8 of Table D3.1 are given as alternate U
values to the value determined from 1
x /l given for Case 2 in Table D3.1. It is permissible to use the larger of the two values.

Fig. C-D3.4. Determination of l for calculation of U for connections

with longitudinal and transverse welds.

Fig. C-D3.5. Net area through slot for a single gusset plate.
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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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Sect. J4.]

AFFECTED ELEMENTS OF MEMBERS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS

= 0.75 (LRFD)

16.1129

= 2.00 (ASD)

where
Ae = effective net area as defined in Section D3, in.2 (mm2); for bolted splice
plates, Ae = An 0.85Ag.
User Note: The effective net area of the connection plate may be limited due to
stress distribution as calculated by methods such as the Whitmore section.

2.

Strength of Elements in Shear

The available shear strength of affected and connecting elements in shear shall be the
lower value obtained according to the limit states of shear yielding and shear rupture:
(a) For shear yielding of the element:
Rn = 0.60Fy Agv
= 1.00 (LRFD)

(J4-3)

= 1.50 (ASD)

where
Agv = gross area subject to shear, in.2 (mm2)
(b) For shear rupture of the element:
Rn = 0.60Fu Anv
= 0.75 (LRFD)

(J4-4)

= 2.00 (ASD)

where
Anv = net area subject to shear, in.2 (mm2)

3.

Block Shear Strength

The available strength for the limit state of block shear rupture along a shear failure
path or paths and a perpendicular tension failure path shall be taken as
Rn = 0.60Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant 0.60Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant
= 0.75 (LRFD)

(J4-5)

= 2.00 (ASD)

where
Ant = net area subject to tension, in.2 (mm2)
Where the tension stress is uniform, Ubs = 1; where the tension stress is nonuniform,
Ubs = 0.5.
User Note: Typical cases where Ubs should be taken equal to 0.5 are illustrated in
the Commentary.

4.

Strength of Elements in Compression

The available strength of connecting elements in compression for the limit states of
yielding and buckling shall be determined as follows:
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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

Page 19 of 22

Comm. J4.]

12.

AFFECTED ELEMENTS OF MEMBERS

16.1411

Tension Fasteners
With any connection configuration where the fasteners transmit a tensile force to
the HSS wall, a rational analysis must be used to determine the appropriate limit
states. These may include a yield-line mechanism in the HSS wall and/or pull-out
through the HSS wall, in addition to applicable limit states for the fasteners subject to tension.

J4.

AFFECTED ELEMENTS OF MEMBERS AND CONNECTING

ELEMENTS

1.

Strength of Elements in Tension

Tests have shown that for bolted splice plates yielding will occur on the gross section
before the tensile strength of the net section is reached if the ratio An /Ag is greater than
or equal to 0.85 (Kulak et al., 1987). Since the length of connecting elements is small
compared to the member length, inelastic deformation of the gross section is limited.
Hence, the effective net area, Ae, of the connecting element is limited to 0.85Ag in
recognition of the limited capacity for inelastic deformation, and to provide a reserve
capacity. Tests have also shown than Ae may be limited by the ability of the stress to
distribute in the member. Analysis procedures such as the Whitmore section should be
used to determine Ae in these cases.

2.

Strength of Elements in Shear

Prior to 2005, the resistance factor for shear yielding had been 0.90, which was
equivalent to a safety factor of 1.67. In ASD Specifications, the allowable shear
yielding stress was 0.4Fy, which was equivalent to a safety factor of 1.5. To make the
LRFD approach in the 2005 Specification consistent with prior editions of the ASD
Specification, the resistance and safety factors for shear yielding became 1.0 and 1.5,
respectively. The resulting increase in LRFD design strength of approximately 10%
is justified by the long history of satisfactory performance of ASD use.

3.

Block Shear Strength

Tests on coped beams indicated that a tearing failure mode (rupture) can occur
along the perimeter of the bolt holes as shown in Figure C-J4.1 (Birkemoe and
Gilmor, 1978). This block shear mode combines tensile failure on one plane and
shear failure on a perpendicular plane. The failure path is defined by the centerlines
of the bolt holes.
The block shear failure mode is not limited to coped ends of beams; other examples
are shown in Figures C-J4.1 and C-J4.2. The block shear failure mode must also be
checked around the periphery of welded connections.
This Specification has adopted a conservative model to predict block shear
strength. The mode of failure in coped beam webs and angles is different than that
of gusset plates because the shear resistance is present on only one plane, in which
case there must be some rotation of the block of material that is providing the total
resistance.
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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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16.1412

AFFECTED ELEMENTS OF MEMBERS

[Comm. J4.

Fig. C-J4.1. Failure surface for block shear rupture limit state.

(a) Cases for which Ubs = 1.0

(b) Cases for which Ubs = 0.5

Fig. C-J4.2. Block shear tensile stress distributions.

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AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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Comm. J7.]

BEARING STRENGTH

16.1413

Although tensile failure is observed through the net section on the end plane, the
distribution of tensile stresses is not always uniform (Ricles and Yura, 1983; Kulak
and Grondin, 2001; Hardash and Bjorhovde, 1985). A reduction factor, Ubs, has
been included in Equation J4-5 to approximate the nonuniform stress distribution on
the tensile plane. The tensile stress distribution is nonuniform in the two row connection in Figure C-J4.2(b) because the rows of bolts nearest the beam end pick up
most of the shear load. For conditions not shown in Figure C-J4.2, Ubs may be taken
as (1 e/l ) where e/l is the ratio of the eccentricity of the load to the centroid of
the resistance divided by the block length. This fits data reported by Kulak and
Grondin (2001), Kulak and Grondin (2002), and Yura et al. (1982).
Block shear is a rupture or tearing phenomenon, not a yielding limit state. However,
gross yielding on the shear plane can occur when tearing on the tensile plane commences if 0.6Fu Anv exceeds 0.6Fy Agv. Hence, Equation J4-5 limits the term
0.6Fu Anv to not greater than 0.6Fy Agv (Hardash and Bjorhovde, 1985). Equation J45 is consistent with the philosophy in Chapter D for tension members where the
gross area is used for the limit state of yielding and the net area is used for the limit
state of rupture.

4.

Strength of Elements in Compression

To simplify connection calculations, the nominal strength of elements in compression when the element slenderness ratio is not greater than 25 is Fy Ag. This is a very
slight increase over that obtained if the provisions of Chapter E are used. For more
slender elements, the provisions of Chapter E apply.

J5.

FILLERS
As noted in Commentary Section J3.8, research reported in Borello et al. (2009)
resulted in significant changes in the design of bolted connections with fillers. In the
2010 Specification, bearing connections with fillers over 3/4-in. thick are no longer
required to be developed provided the bolts are designed by multiplying the shear
strength by a 0.85 factor.
Slip-critical connections with a single filler of any thickness with proper surface
preparation may be designed without any reduction in slip resistance. Slip-critical
connections with multiple fillers may be designed without any reduction in slip
resistance provided the joint has either all faying surfaces with Class B surfaces or
Class A surfaces with turn-of-nut tensioning. This provision for multiple fillers is
based on the additional reliability of Class B surface or on the higher pretension
achieved with the turn-of-nut tensioning.
Filler plates may be used in lap joints of welded connections that splice parts of different thickness, or where there may be an offset in the joint.

J7.

BEARING STRENGTH
In general, the bearing strength design of finished surfaces is governed by the limit
state of bearing (local compressive yielding) at nominal loads. The nominal bearing

Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, June 22, 2010

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION

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