When checking or designing a member for tension, you need to specify the correction factor for the distribution of forces at the ends of the member. If the members contain significant areas of bolt holes which need to be taken into account when determining the cross-sectional area of the section, you will need to enter the amount of cross-sectional area to be deducted to allow for these holes.

To enter the properties for tension

Ø  Select the required members in the Frame window

Ø  Choose Tension… from the Design menu

Ø  Type in the number and diameter of holes in the webs and flanges (and the total height of holes will be computed automatically) or

Ø  Type the total height of holes in the webs and flanges directly

Ø  Choose a value for the correction factor (kt) if required

Ø  Click OK

The total height of holes in the webs or flanges is used to compute the cross sectional area of holes in the section. This is used compute the net area of the section and also for computing the effective section modulus. The initial value for the number and diameter of bolt holes is zero.

When checking or designing members for compression, it is necessary to specify the effective length and unbraced length of the member.