6.1Tension Members

Tension members are linear members in which axial forces act to cause elongation (stretch). Such members can sustain loads upto the ultimate load, at which stage they may fail by rupture at a critical section. However, if the gross area of the member yields over a major portion of its length before the rupture load is reached, the member may become non-functional due to excessive elongation. Plates and other rolled sections in tension may also fail by block shear of end bolted regions (see 6.4.1).

The factored design tension $T$, in the members shall satisfy the following requirement:

$T<T_{\mathrm{c}}$

where

$T_{\mathrm{d}}=$ design strength of the member

The design strength of a member under axial tension, $T_{\mathrm{d}}$, is the lowest of the design strength due to yielding of gross section, $T_{\mathrm{dg}}$, rupture strength of critical section, $T_{\mathrm{dn}}$, and block shear $T_{\mathrm{db}}$, given in 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4 , respectively.