Tension Member Capacity Calculator

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LRFD applies resistance factors φ to nominal strength (compare to the factored load); ASD divides by safety factors Ω (compare to the service load).
Specified minimum yield strength. A36 ≈ 250 MPa (36 ksi); A992/A572-50 ≈ 345 MPa (50 ksi).
MPa
Specified minimum tensile strength. A36 ≈ 400 MPa (58 ksi); A992/A572-50 ≈ 450 MPa (65 ksi).
MPa
Gross cross-sectional area of the member — full section, no hole deduction.
mm²
Net area = gross area minus the bolt-hole material across the critical section. Standard hole = bolt + 2 mm (1/16 in) clearance + 2 mm (1/16 in) damage per AISC. For welded members with no holes, An = Ag.
mm²
AISC Table D3.1 shear-lag factor. U = 1.0 when the load is transmitted to all cross-section elements; ~0.8–0.9 for typical bolted angles/tees; or U = 1 − x̄/L. Ae = An·U.

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Governing design strength(Pₙ)
675,000N

675 kN · 151,700 lbf

Net-section rupture governs (LRFD) — the brittle limit; ensure ductility per AISC and check the connection too.

The lesser of gross yielding and net rupture — this is the member tension capacity.

Also computed

Gross-section yielding(φPy)931,500N

931.5 kN · 209,400 lbf

φ·Fy·Ag (φ = 0.90) or Fy·Ag/Ω (Ω = 1.67) — ductile, governs on members with small hole loss.

Net-section rupture(φPr)675,000N

675 kN · 151,700 lbf

φ·Fu·Ae (φ = 0.75) or Fu·Ae/Ω (Ω = 2.00), Ae = An·U — brittle, governs on heavily-holed or shear-lagged ends.

Effective net area(Ae)2,000mm²

Ae = An·U — the net area reduced by the shear-lag factor.

Method notes 4 notes
  • AISC 360 Chapter D (Section D2): design tensile strength is the lesser of gross-section yielding (Pn = Fy·Ag) and net-section rupture (Pn = Fu·Ae). LRFD uses φ = 0.90 (yield) and 0.75 (rupture); ASD uses Ω = 1.67 (yield) and 2.00 (rupture).
  • Effective net area Ae = An·U. The shear-lag factor U (AISC Table D3.1) accounts for not all of the cross section being connected — U = 1.0 when every element is connected, lower for angles/tees/channels connected through one leg. You supply U; this tool does not embed the table.
  • Net area An is the gross area minus the bolt-hole material on the critical chain (deduct the standard hole = bolt + 2 mm + 2 mm). For a welded member with no holes, An = Ag and U addresses any shear lag.
  • This is the member check only. The connection (bolt shear, bearing, block shear) and any stability of the gross section are separate limit states — the governing capacity is the smallest of all of them. A licensed engineer owns the final design.

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