Tension only members

[Saedhalteh]

Hello all !
Can someone help me with understand the benefit of the tension only members.
What is the benefit of the Tension only members or when it is preferable to use a tension only member ?

 

[r13]

The benefit is it meets structural/application needs, usually in a cheaper way. Example uses are tension brace/cable, hanger, hoisting cable, pull chain....etc

 

[human909]

As retired13 mention. Tension members, in particular when we are dealing with steel construction, are more generally more structurally and economically efficient as buckling isn't a problem. The efficiency of tension members have been used for centuries, a simple rope bridge for example.

The other part of the question might be referring to computerised models. In which case it ensures you model doesn't complain when the member goes slack or buckles slightly. If intend on a member being only tension like rod bracing or sometimes angles in cross bracing then modelling it as tension only might ensure your structural model doesn't spit out errors on when the member deforms under compression.

 

[havesealwilltravel]

From experience, I know that tension only bracing actually performs as expected.

I did a post earthquake inspection of an industrial building designed as tension only bracing. It was obvious from the stretching that 1/2 of the diagonals were in significant tension while the other half were slightly buckled. The bracing responded exactly as expected.