UM – CEE
Effective Area Where the reduction factor U is given in AISC D3.3,
Of the several factors influencing the
performance of a tension member, the manner in
which it is connected is the most important. A
connection almost always weakens the member,
and the measure of its influence is called the joint
efficiency. This factor is a function of the ductility of
the material, fastener spacing, stress
concentrations at holes, fabrication procedure, and
a phenomenon known as shear lag (occurs when
some elements of the cross section are not
connected, as when only one leg of an angle is
bolted to a gusset plate as shown in the figure
below). All contribute to reducing the effectiveness
of the member, but shear lag is the most important.
Since shear lag affects both bolted and
welded connections, the effective net area concept
applies to both types of connections.
For bolted connections, the effective net area is;
Ae=AnU
For welded connections, we refer to this reduced
area as the effective area (rather than the effective
net area), and it is given by;
Ae=AgU
E.B.L.J.☺
(STRUCTURAL DESIGN II – STEEL DESIGN)
c.
table D3.1.
The rules for determining “U” fall into five
categories:
1. For any type of tension member except
plates and round HSS with ℓ ≥ 1.3D.
2. In general, U=1.0 for plates, since the
cross section has only one element and it Ans. a) 1.13 in^2; b) 3.13 in^2; c) 3.13 in^2
is connected. There are two special cases Problem 2: A WT6×20, ASTM A992, member has a
for welded plates. length of 30 ft and carries a dead load of 40 kips and
3. Round HSS with ℓ ≥ 1.3D a live load of 120 kips in tension. Assume the end
U=1.0 connection is fillet welded and has a length of 16 in.
4. ALTERNATIVES FOR SINGLE ANGLES Verify the member strength by LRFD and ASD.
5. ALTERNATIVES FOR W, M, S, HP, or Tees Assume that the gusset plate and the weld have
Cut from these shapes been checked and are satisfactory. Ans. 263 kips;
Problem set 1: Determine the effective area Ae for 175.2 kips; satisfactory!
each case shown the figures:
a.
Problem 3: Verify, by ASD, the strength of an
L4×4×½, ASTM A36, with one line of (4) ¾ in.
diameter bolts in standard holes. The member
b.
carries a dead load of 20 kips and a live load of 60
kips in tension. Ans. 81 kips; satisfactory!
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UM – CEE (STRUCTURAL DESIGN II – STEEL DESIGN)

Problem 4: Verify, by ASD, the strength of an

HSS6×4×3/8, ASTM A500 grade B, with a length of
30 ft. The member is carrying a dead load of 35 kips
and a live load of 105 kips in tension. Assume the
end connection is fillet welded to a 1/2 in. thick
single concentric gusset plate and has a length of 16
in. Fy=46 ksi ; Fu=58 ksi
Properties of HSS6x4x3/8:
Ag=6.18 in^2 ; ry=1.55 in ; t=0.349 in ;
B=4 in and H=6 in Staggered Fasteners
Hint: An= Ag – (2)( thk. Of weld+ 1/16)(t) Problem 1: A 14 in. wide and 1/2 in. thick plate Problem 3: A staggered riveted connection has
Ans. 151 kips; satisfactory! rivets arranged as shown. The diameter of rivets is
subject to tensile loading has staggered holes as
shown. Compute An and Ae. Ans. 5.75 in^2 34mm and the holes are assumed to be 2mm larger
than that of the rivet. If Fy=248MPa, which of the
following gives: (See Fig.)
a. The distance “b” so that the net area in chain 1-
2-3-4 is equal to the net area of chain 1-2-4?
b. The critical net area using the value of “b”?
c. The maximum tensile force T that the riveted
connection could carry if the allowable tensile
stress is 0.60Fy?
Problem 5: A 2L4×4×1/2 (3/8-in. separation), ASTM
Ans. 19.71 mm; 3623.65 mm^2; 539.20 kN
A36, has one line of (8) ¾-in. diameter bolts in
standard holes and is 25 ft in length. The double
angle is carrying a dead load of 40 kips and a live
load of 120 kips in tension. Verify the strength by
ASD.
For a single L4×4×2
Ag = 3.75 in^2; rx = 1.21 in.
ry = 1.83 in; bar x = 1.18 in. Problem 2: An angle with staggered fasteners in
Ans. 162 kips; satisfactory! each leg is shown in the fig. A36 steel is used, and
holes are for 7/8-inch diameter bolts. Determine
the allowable strength for ASD. Ans. 145 kips

E.B.L.J.☺ “FAILURE TEACHES SUCCESS!” Page 2

UM – CEE (STRUCTURAL DESIGN II – STEEL DESIGN)

Block Shear
For certain connection configurations, a
segment or “block” of material at the end of the
member can tear out.
For example, the connection of the single-
angle tension member shown below.
For certain arrangements of bolts, block
shear can also occur in gusset plates. The figure
below shows a plate tension member connected to
a gusset plate.
Problem 1: The lap joint shown consists of bolts b. The tensile capacity of the connection
22mm in dia. In 25mm dia. Holes. The plates are A36 based on tearing of the angle.
steel with Fy=250 MPa and Fu=400 MPa. Use c. The tensile capacity of the connection
based on block failure.
x1=50mm, x2=160mm and x3=60mm and plate
Ans. 258.32 kN; 239.92 kN; 245.46 kN
thickness t=12mm for this problem.
The allowable stresses are:
Fp=1.5Fu for bearing stress on projected area
Ft=0.5Fu for tension on net area of plates
Fv=0.3Fu for shear on plates
Fv=210MPa for shear strength of bolt.
Det. The ff:
a. The value of load P based on bolt shear.
b. The value of load P based on bearing on
projected area on plate. Problem 3 Compute the nominal block shear
c. The value of load P based on block shear. strength of the tension member shown in the fig.
Ans. 478.96 kN; 950.4kN; 489.60kN ASTM A572 grade 50 steel is used. The bolts are 7/8
inch in dia. Ans. 86.8 kips

Problem 2 An angle L125x100x8 is connected to a

gusset plate shown. The effective hole diameter is
Formula for Block Shear 25mm. Use Fy=248 MPa and Fu=400 MPa.
Strength: Find the ff:
a. The tensile capacity of the connection
P=0.5FuAt + 0.3FuAv based on yielding of the angle.

E.B.L.J.☺ “FAILURE TEACHES SUCCESS!” Page 3