Failure Path & Net Area Tutorial

The purpose of this tutorial is to help you to learn how to select VALID failure paths and compute the associated net areas.

Review

• SCM Specification Chapter B is the reference section for determining net areas.
• A valid failure path for tensile rupture will have the following characteristics:
  • All path segments will have a directional component that is perpendicular to the load direction
  • After fracture, the "loaded" side will have NO BOLTS.... this means that all the bolts are "left behind" on the very end of the member.
• Net areas are MEMBER DEPENDENT.  This means that in a CONNECTION each connected MEMBER will have it's own net area and hence it's own tensile rupture capacity.
  • The tensile rupture capacity of a connection equals the smaller of the capacity of the members pulling in each direction.

The Practice Examples

There are an infinite variety of tension connections that can be made, however the same basic principles apply in all cases.  The following examples are only a few possibilities.  Hopefully you will come to understand the principles as you work through the examples.

• Example #1:  A simple three member tension splice
• Example #2:  A tension splice connecting two W sections by the web only using two splice plates
• Example #3:  A tension splice connecting two W sections by both the web and the flanges
• Example #4:  An angle connection