Design of Tension Members:

Steel tension members might be one of the following types.

Wires and Cables

These might be single wire or bundle of wires or wire ropes. Too flexible to take any bending, they are used in cable bridges, hoists, crane ropes,  etc.

Bars or Rods

Used for carrying small loads. If threaded, the minimum diameter is the effective diameter. Sometimes used as webs in extremely light trusses.

Flats or Plates

For carrying light tensile forces and used within transmission towers, floor systems, battens and lacings in composite structures, etc.

Single Rolled Sections

They might be angle, channel, Tee or light joists.

Composite or Built-up Sections

Where more than one angle, channels, etc. are used to carry heavy tensile forces. They may be joined together through plates, flats or bars.