1

‫بسم هللا الرحمن الرحيم‬

‫‪Structural Steel Design‬‬
‫تصميم المنشآت الفوالذية‬
‫(المعدنية)‬
‫د‪ .‬سليمان إسماعيل الصافي‬
‫‪Dr. Eng. Sulaiman Ismail Al-Safi‬‬
‫‪Sana’a Univesity‬‬

‫‪20/21‬‬
‫‪2‬‬
dESIGN of Tension Members

3
Design of Tension Members
WHAT IS A TENSION MEMBER?
The tension members range from bracing for buildings and bridges, ties,
suspenders of cable stayed and suspension bridges, building suspenders
hung from central core, sag rods of roof purlins, truss members etc.
P

P
4
Design of Tension Members
WHAT IS A TENSION MEMBER?
Structural members that are subjected to axial tensile
force (truss members, cables in suspension bridges, P
bracing for buildings,…).
Tension members are found predominantly as
members of plane or space trusses (2D & 3D), as
members in transmission towers and as wind bracing
(single or double) for single story or high rise steel
Structures. Among the common shapes used as tension
members:

5
Tension Members

Typical cross-sections
◦ Any cross-sectional configuration may be used, since the
only determinant of strength is the cross-sectional area.
◦ Circular rods and rolled angle shapes are commonly used.
Tension Members

Typical cross-sections
Tension Members
Analysis of Tension Members
COMMON TENSION MEMBER
The objective of Tension
members is to bear only
axial force. Tension
members are dependent
on uniform stress as their
whole cross-section is
utilized for sustaining
axial forces.

9
Design of Tension Members
Structural Elements Subjected to Axial Tensile Forces

Trusses

Bracing for Buildings and Bridges

Cables in Suspension and Cable-Stayed Bridges

Analysis of Tension Members
Nominal Strength of Tension Members
Yield on Gross Area
Gross section
AISC Specification (D2)
Nominal Strength of a tension member Pn

Pn Pn
11
Design of Tension Members
LAST TIME
Design of Tension Members
Tables for the Design
Threaded Rods and Cables
Design of Tension Members
Design is an interactive procedure (trial & error), as we do not have
the final connection detail, so the selection is made, connection is
detailed, and the member is checked again.
Design Procedure
[Link] the design load . Pu
2. Calculate
a. Required gross area (Ag)
b. Required (effective) net area (An or Ae)
c. Radius of gyration (r ).
3.3. Pick a member and try different sections that satisfy the
criteria. Choose the lightest member.
[Link] other criteria.
Proposed Design Procedure:-
i) Find required (Ag) from factored load .
 Tu 
ii) Find required (Ae) from factored load  A g  .
 0.9Fy 

iii) Convert (Ae) to (Ag) by assuming connection 
Tdetail.
A 
u

0.75Fu 
e

iv) From (ii) & (iii) chose largest (Ag) value

v) Find required (rmin) to satisfy slenderness

 L 

vi) Select a section to satisfy (iv) and (v) above.  300
 rmin 
vii) Detail the connection for the selected member.

viii) Re-check the member again.

Design of Steel Tension Members

What is the maximum P?

 Q i i  Rn

LRFD Equation
Design of Steel Tension Members
Equations for strength of tension members:
a) For yielding in the gross section:

tPn  tFyAg
b) For fracture in the net section:
tPn  tFuAe
Design of Steel Tension Members
Yielding in the gross section:
Design of Steel Tension Members
Variable Definitions
Resistance factor, t :
= 0.90 for yielding (AISC SPECIFICATION )
= 0.75 for fracture
Fy = Yield Strength (AISC SPECIFICATION )
Fu = Tensile or Ultimate strength (AISC SPECIFICATION )

Areas defined in Chapter B, Design Requirements

Design of Steel Tension Members
Design Requirements
Ag – Gross cross-sectional area
Ae – Effective net area
If tension load is transmitted directly to each of the cross-
sectional elements by fasteners or welds:
Ae = An
An = Net cross-sectional area
(gross-section minus bolt holes)
Design of Steel Tension Members
Design Requirements

If tension load transmitted through some but not all of the cross-sectional elements:

by fasteners,
Ae = AnU
by welds,
Ae = AgU or Ae = AU
Design of Steel Tension Members
Example of tension transmitted by some but not all of cross-section
L –shape with bolts in one leg only
 x
U  1     0.9
l

Reduction coefficient,

x
Where is the connection eccentricity
Design of Steel Tension Members
Tension Analysis Example
Determine the factored strength of a 12” x
1.5”, A36 steel plate connected with one
row of 4 – ¾” diameter bolts positioned
transversely in a single line.
 Design of Steel Tension Members

Design Example
Design a 1000 mm long splice plate to carry a tensile live load of 130
kN and dead load due to a mass of 4500 kg. The bolts will be M20
diameter and there will be at least three of them in a row parallel to
the direction of force at each end. Space constraints require you to
keep the width of the plate ≤ 100 mm. Use A36 steel in conformance
with the rest of the building.
 Example :-

A tension member with a length of 1.75 m must resist

a service dead load of 80 kN and a service live load of 220
kN. Select a member with a rectangular hollow cross-ection.
Use A36 steel and assume a connection with one line of M22
diameter bolts.

T-25
 Pu = 1.2 D + 1.6L = 1.2(80) + 1.6(220) = 448 kN
Pu 448 103
Required A g    1991 mm 2
0.90Fy 0.90(250)
Pu 448 103
Required A e    1493 mm 2
0.75Fu 0.75(400)
Because Ae = An for this member, the gross area corresponding to
the required net area is

A g  A n  A hole
 1493  22  3t  1493  25t
Try t = 25 mm
Ag = 1493+ 25(25) = 2118 mm2
T-26
Because 3.409 > 3.235, the required gross area is 3.409 in.2, and
Ag 3.409
wg    3.409 in.
t 1
Round to the nearest 1/8 inch and try a 1  3 ½ cross section.
Check the slenderness ratio:
3.5(1)3
Imin   0.2917 in.4
12
A  1(3.5)  3.5 in.2
From I  Ar 2 , we obtain
Imin 0.2917
rmin    0.2887 in.
A 3.5
L 5.75(12)
Maximum   239  300 (OK)
r 0.2887
Use a 3 ½  1 bar. T-27
Design of Tension Members
Design of Tension Members
Objective
◦ Find a member with adequate gross and net areas
◦ Find a member that satisfies L/r<300
◦ Does not apply to cables and rods

Available Strength
Required Strength (Nominal Resistance)

1.4 D 0.9Fy Ag
LRFD max 1.2D  1.6L LRFD min
0.75 Fu Ae
Design of Tension Members
Design of Tension Members
Determine required Area

Pu
To prevent yielding Pu  0.90 Fy Ag  Ag 
0.9 Fy
Pu
To avoid fracture Pu  0.75 Fu Ae  Ae 
0.75 Fy

Yielding controls if 0.90 Fy Ag  0.75Fu Ae

Ae Fy
 1 .2
Ag Fu
Design of Tension Members
Example
Tension member with a length 5’-9” resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8” bolts

Step 1: Required Strength

1.4 D  1.418  25.2kips
Pu  max   104 .8kips
1.2 D  1.6 L  1.218  1.652   104 .8kips

Step 2: Required Areas

Pu 104 .8
Ag ,req    3.235 in 2
t Fy 0.936 
Pu 104 .8
Ae,req    2.409 in 2
t Fu 0.7558
Design of Tension Members
Example
Tension member with a length 5’-9” resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8” bolts

Step 3: Plate Selection based on Ag

Try thickness t = 1 in

Ag ,req  3.235 in 2  wreq (1)  wreq  3.235 in

Choose PL 1 X 3-1/2
See Manual pp1-8 for availability of plate products
Design of Tension Members
Example
Tension member with a length 5’-9” resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8” bolts

Step 4: Check Effective Area

Ae  UAn  1Ag  Ahole  
OK
  7 1 
11x 3.5       2.5 in 2  Ae,req  2.409
  8 8 
Design of Tension Members
Example
Tension member with a length 5’-9” resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8” bolts

Step 4: Check Slenderness

wt3 3.51
3
I min    0.2917 in 4
12 12
A  3.51  3.5 in 2
I min
I  Ar  r 
2
 0.2887 in 2
A
L 5.75
max   239 in 2  300 in 2 OK
r 0.2887
Design of Tension Members
LRFD - Example
Tension member with a length 5’-9” resists D=18 kips and L=52 kips
Select a member with rectangular cross section, A36 steel and one line 7/8” bolts

Step 4: Check Slenderness

wt3 3.51
3
I min    0.2917 in 4
12 12
A  3.51  3.5 in 2
I min
I  Ar  r 
2
 0.2887 in 2
A
L 5.75
max   239 in 2  300 in 2 OK
r 0.2887
 Design of Tension Members
Angles as Tension Members
Must have enough room for bolts
(if bolted connection)

Space is a problem if 2 lines of bolts in a leg

Usual fabrication practice – standard hole location
Manual pp 1-46

Leg 8 7 6 5 4 31/2 3 2-1/2 2 1-3/4 1-1/2 1-3/8 1-1/4 1

g 4-1/2 4 3-1/2 3 2-1/2 2 1-3/4 1-3/8 1-1/8 1 7/8 7/8 3/4 5/8

g1 3 2-1/2 2-1/4 2

g2 3 3 2-1/2 1-3/4
Design of Tension Members
Example
Select and unequal-leg angle tension member 15 feet long to resist a
service dead load of 35 kips and a service live load of 70 kips. Use A36
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 1: Required Strength
1.4 D  35  49kips
Pu  max   154 kips
1.2 D  1.6 L  1.235  1.670   154 kips
Step 2: Required Areas
Pu 154
Ag ,req    4.75 in 2
0.9 Fy 0.936 
Pu 154
Ae,req    3.54 in 2
0.75Fu 0.558
L 15(12)
rreq    0.6 in
300 u 300
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 3: Angle Selection based on Ag
Two lines of bolts, therefore min. length of one leg = 5 in
see table
Pu 154
Ag ,req    4.75 in 2
0.9 Fy 0.936 

Choose L6x4x1/2 A=4.75, rmin=0.864

See Manual pp1-42
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 4: Check Effective Area
 3 1  1 
An  Ag  Ahole  4.75  2     3.875in 2
 4 8  2 
Length of connection not known
4 – bolts in direction of load U=0.85

Ae  UAn  0.853.875   3.29in 2  Ae,req  3.54 NG

Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 3: Angle Selection based on Ag – TRY NEXT LARGER
Two lines of bolts, therefore min. length of one leg = 5 in
see table
Pu 154
Ag ,req    4.75 in 2
0.9 Fy 0.936 

Choose L5 x 3-1/2 x 5/8 A=4.92, rmin=0.746

See Manual pp1-42
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 4: Check Effective Area
 3 1  5 
An  Ag  Ahole  4.92  2     3.826in 2
 4 8  8 
Length of connection not known
4 – bolts in direction of load U=0.8

Ae  UAn  0.853.826   3.252in 2  Ae,req  3.54 NG

Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 3: Angle Selection based on Ag – TRY NEXT LARGER
Two lines of bolts, therefore min. length of one leg = 5 in
see table
Pu 154
Ag ,req    4.75 in 2
0.9 Fy 0.936 

Choose L8 x 4 x 1/2 A=5.75, rmin=0.863

See Manual pp1-42
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 4: Check Effective Area
 3 1  5 
An  Ag  Ahole  5.75  2     4.875in 2
 4 8  8 
Length of connection not known
4 – bolts in direction of load U=0.8

Ae  UAn  0.854.875   4.14in 2  Ae,req  3.54 OK

Example (T-7):-

Select a single angle tension member to carry (40

kips DL) and (20 kips LL), member is (15)ft long and will be
connected to any one leg by single line of 7/8” diameter
bolts. Use A-36 steel.
Solution:
Step 1) Find Required (Tu):-
Tu = 1.2 DL + 1.6 LL Tu = 1.4 DL
= 1.2 x 40 + 1.6 x 20 or = 1.4 x 40
= 48 + 32 = 80k = 56k
 Tu = 80k (Controls) T-28
Step 2) Find required Ag & Ae:
Tu 80
(A g )req.    2.47 in2  (A g )1
0.9Fy 0.9  36
Tu 80
(A e )req.    1.84 in2
0.75Fu 0.75  58
Step 3) Convert (Ae) to (Ag):
Since connection to single leg, then use alternative
(U) value = 0.85 (more then 3 bolt in a line).

Ae 1.84
( An )    2.16 in 2
U 0.85
For single line 7/8” bolts ; Ag = An + (1)t = 2.16 + t = (Ag)2
T-29
Step 4) Find required rmin.
L 15  12
rmin    0.6 in.
300 300

Step 5) Select angle:

By selecting (t) we get Ag & rmin

t (Ag)1 (Ag)2

1/4 2.47 2.41

select t = 3/8”
3/8 2.47 2.53
(Ag)2 = 2.53 in2
1/2 2.47 2.66
(Controls)
T-30
Selection
L4  3 21  3 8
Ag = 2.67 in2 > 2.53 in2 OK
rmin = 0.727 in > 0.6 OK

Step 6) Design the bolted connection:

(chap. 4).

Step 7) Re-check the section.

T-31
Design of Tension Members

TABLES FOR DESIGN OF TENSION MEMBERS

Design of Tension Members
Example
Select and unequal-leg angle tension member 15 feet long to resist a
service dead load of 35 kips and a service live load of 70 kips. Use A36
Design of Tension Members
Example – Using Tables
Step 1: Required Strength
1.4 D  35  49kips
Pu  max   154 kips
1.2 D  1.6 L  1.235  1.670   154 kips
Step 2: Choose L based on Pu

Choose L6x4x1/2
A=4.75, rmin=0.980
yielding : t Pn  154 kips
See Manual pp 5-15
rupture : t Pn  155 kips
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 3: Check Effective Area
 3 1  5 
An  Ag  Ahole  4.75  2     3.875in 2
 4 8  8 
Length of connection not known
4 – bolts in direction of load U=0.85

Ae  UAn  0.853.875  3.29in 2

t Pn  t Fu Ae  0.75(58)(3.29)  143.3kips  Pu  154 kips NG

Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Shape did not work because table values are for Ae/Ag=0.75

In this problem Ae/Ag=3.29/4.75 = 0.693

Enter table with adjusted Pu as

0.75
 Pu
actual ratio
Design of Tension Members
Example – Using Tables
Step 4: Choose L based on ADJUSTED Pu
0.75
Pu  154  167 kips
0.69

Choose L8x4x1/2
A=5.75, rmin=0.863
yielding : t Pn  186 kips
See Manual pp 5-14
rupture : t Pn  187 kips
Design of Tension Members
Angle - Example
Step 5: Check Effective Area
 3 1  1 
An  Ag  Ahole  5.75  2     4.875in 2
 4 8  2 
Length of connection not known
4 – bolts in direction of load U=0.85

Ae  UAn  0.854.875  4.14in 2

t Pn  t Fu Ae  0.75(58)(4.14)  180 kips  Pu  154 kips OK

Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses

Main supporting elements of roof systems where long spans are

required

Used when the cost and weight of a beam would be prohibitive

Often used in industrial or mill buildings

Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trussed

Pin
Hinge

Supporting walls: reinforced concrete, concrete block, brick

or combination
Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trussed
Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses
Sag Rods are designed to provide lateral support
to purlins and carry the component of the load
parallel to the roof

Located at mid-point, third points, or more

frequently
Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses

Bottom Chord in tension

Top Chord in compression
Web members: some in compression some in tension

Wind loads may alternate force in some members

Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses

Chord Members are designed as continuous

Joint rigidity introduces small moments that are usually

ignored

Bending caused by loads applied directly on members must

be taken into account
Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses
Working Lines Intersect at the
Working Point in each joint

• Bolted Truss: Working Lines are the bolt lines

• Welded Truss: Working Lines are the centroidal axes of

the welds

• For analysis: Member length from working point to

working point
Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses

Bolted trusses

Double Angles for chords

Double Angles for web members

Single Gusset plate

Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof
Trusses
Welded trusses

Structural Tee shapes are used in chords

Angles are used in web members

Angles are usually welded to the stem of the Tee

Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof Trusses

Welded trusses

Structural Tee shapes are used in chords

Angles are used in web members

Angles are usually welded to the stem of the Tee

Design of Tension Members
Example
Select a structural Tee for the bottom chord of the Warren roof truss. Trusses
are welded and spaced at 6 m. Assume bottom chord connection is made with
230 mm long longitudinal welds at the flange. Use A992 steel and the following
load data (wind is not considered)
Purlins M200x9.7
Snow 1.0 kN/m2 of horizontal projection
Metal Deck 0.10 kN/m2
Roofing 0.20 kN/m2
Insulation 0.15 kN/m2
Design of Tension Members
Step 1 – Load Analysis
DEAD (excluding purlins)
Deck 2 psf
Roof 4 psf
6m
Insulation 3 psf
Total 9 psf
Total Dead Load = 9(20) = 180 lb/ft
180(2.5)=450 lb 180(5)=900 lb
……
Design of Tension Members
Step 1 – Load Analysis
PURLINS M8x6.5

Purlin Load = 6.5(20) = 130 lb 6m

130 lb 130 lb
……
Design of Tension Members
Step 1 – Load Analysis
SNOW
Snow Load = 20(20) = 400 lb/ft

6m

400(2.5)=1000 lb 400(5)=2000 lb
……
Design of Tension Members
Step 1 – Load Analysis
Dead Load of Truss
Assume 10% of all other loads

End Joint 0.1(9(20)(20)+130+1000)=158 lb

Interior Joint 0.1(900+130+2000)=303 lb

158 lb 303 lb
……
Design of Tension Members
Step 1 – Load Analysis
450+130+158 = 738 lb 900+130+303 = 1333 lb
……

1000 lb 2000 lb

S
Design of Tension Members
Step 2 – Required Force
Pu  1.2 D  1.6S

1.2(0.74) + 1.6(1) = 1.2(1.33)+1.6(2)=

2.48 kips 4.8 kips
……
Design of Tension Members
Step 2 – Required Force

Method of Sections

M E  0   FIJ  48.04 kips

Design of Tension Members
Step 3 – Required Areas
Pu FIJ 48.04
Ag ,req     1.07 in 2
0.9 Fy 0.9 Fy 0.950 

Pu FIJ 48.04
Ae,req     0.985 in 2
0.75 Fu 0.75 Fu 0.7565
Design of Tension Members
Step 4: T Selection based on
Ag

Choose MT5x3.75 A=1.10 in2

See Manual pp1-68
Design of Tension Members
Step 5 Check Effective Area
x  1.51 
U  1  1    0.8322
L  9 

Ae  UAg  0.8322 1  0.915 in 2  Ae,req  0.985 in 2 NG

Design of Tension Members
Step 6 TRY NEXT LARGER

Choose MT6X5 A=1.46 in2

See Manual pp1-68
Design of Tension Members
Step 7 Check Effective Area
x  1.51 
U  1  1    0.7933
L  9 

Ae  UAg  0.7933 1.46   1.16 in 2  Ae,req  0.985 in 2 OK

Design of Tension Members
Step 8 – Check Slenderness

Assume bracing points at panel points

L 5(12 )
  101  300 OK
r 0.594
 Design of Tension Members
Threaded Rods and Cables
When slenderness is not a
consideration, circular rods
and cables are often used
(hangers, suspended bridges).
Rods are solid and cables are
made from individual strands
wound together.

• Threading the end of a rod reduces the cross sectional area

(upset end prevents such reduction, but is expensive).
Design of Tension Members
Threaded Rods and Cables
t Pn = 0.75 (0.75 Ab Fu)
Ab = nominal (unthreaded) area
It is common to use a min diameter of 5/8 in. for rods.
Strand
• A strand consists of individual
wires wound helically around a
central core.
• A wire rope is made of several
strands laid helically around a
core.
Design of Tension Members
Tension Members in Roof Truss
Trusses are used where the cost and weight of a beam could be
prohibitive (long spans).
A truss may be thought of as a deep beam with much of the web
removed.
Tension members in roof trusses include some truss members
and sag rods.
Design of Tension Members
Sag Rods
• Sag rods are used to
provide lateral support for
the purlins (to prevent sag
in direction parallel to a
sloping roof due to vertical
applied loads).
• They are designed to
support the component of
roof loads parallel to the
roof.
Design of Tension Members
Sag Rods

• Each segment
between purlins is
assumed to support
everything below it;
thus the top rod is
designed for the load
on the roof area
tributary to the rod,
from the heel of the
truss to the peak.
Design of Tension Members
Sag Rods
The tie rod between ridge purlins must resist the load from all of the
sag rods on either side.
 Design of Tension Members
BUILT-UP MEMBERS FROM BOOK OF Steel Design for Engineers and Architects Second Edition BY David A. Fanella AND OTHERS

Requirements for built-up tension members are discussed in

AISCS D2. For two plates or a plate and a rolled shape, the
longitudinal spacing of rivets, bolts, or intermittent fillet welds
shall not exceed 24 times the thickness of the thinner plate nor
12 in. for painted members or unpainted members not subject
to corrosion; or 14 times the thickness of the thinner plate, nor
7 in. for unpainted members of weathering steel subject to
atmospheric corrosion. The longitudinal spacing of rivets,
bolts, or intermittent welds connecting two or more rolled
shapes shall not exceed 24 in. For members separated by
intermittent fillers, connections must be made at intervals such
that the slenderness ratio of either component between the
fasteners does not exceed 300. Perforated cover plates or tie
plates without lacing may be used on the open sides of the
built-up tension members (Fig. 1.13). Such tie plates must be
designed to satisfy the criteria below. The spacing shall be
such that the slenderness ratio of any component in the length
between tie plates will not exceed 300.
Example (T-8):-
Select a pair of MC as shown to carry a factored ultimate load
of 490 kips in tension. Assume connection as shown. Steel Fy = 50 ksi,
Fu = 65 ksi (A572, grade 50) length = 30 ft.
10” 2MC 1. Tu = 490 k; per channel, Tu = 245 k
2. Required, (Ag)1 = 245 / 0.9 x 50 = 5.44 in2
Required, (Ae) = 245 / 0.75 x 65 = 5.03 in2
Required, (An) = Ae = 5.03 in2
U
7/8” bolt
U = 1.0 (Well connected)

3. Assume that flange thickness ~ 0.5 in and web tk. ~ 0.3 in. (experience !)
An = (Ag)2 – 2 x 1.0 x 0.5 – 2 x 1.0 x 0.3
= (Ag)2 – 1.60
 (Ag)2 = An + 1.60 = 5.03 + 1.60 = 6.63 in.
T-32
(controls)
 l 30 12
4. Required. rmin =   1.2 in (as a buildup section)
300 300
 rmin ≥ 1.2
5. Try MC 10 x 25 ; Ag = 7.35 in2 ; tw = 0.38 and tf = 0.575, rx = 3.87 in.

6. Check capacity y
An = 7.35 – 2 x 1.0 x 0.575 – 2 x 1.0 x 0.38
= 7.35 – 1.910 = 5.44 in2.
Ae = 5.44 in2. x x

(i) Yielding Tn = 0.9 x 50 x (2 x 7.35) = 661.5 k

y
(ii) Fracture Tn = 0.75 x 65 x (2 x 5.44) = 530.4 k
Pn = 530.4 k > 490 k. OK

Use 2 MC 10 x 25
T-33
For built-up members, tie plates are required to make the
members to behave as a single unit.

 Between tie plates, each member behaves as a single.

Therefore, l/r between tie-plates corresponds to that for
a single member.

For single , rmin = ry ; ry = 1.0 in

300  1.0
Max. l  ft  25.0ft  30ft. (N.G.)
12

T-34
 Therefore one tie-plate at middle must be used.

Note:

Tie-Plates must be used at ends. See

15'
Manual for min. sizes. LRFD D2, P16.1 - 24 

Length of tie-plate ≥ 2/3 (dist. between line of connection) = 8"

Thickness of tie-plate ≥ 1/50 (dist. between line of connection) = 1/2"

15'

See LFRD D2. (P. 16.1-24)

T-35
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