ABSTRACT
Concentrically loaded uniform tension members are perhaps the simplest structural elements, as they are nominally in a state of uniform axial stress. Because of this, their load-deformation behaviour very closely parallels the stress–strain behaviour of structural steel obtained from the results of tensile tests (see Section 1.3.1). Thus a member remains essentially linear and elastic until the general yield load is approached, even if it has residual stresses and initial crookedness.
