What is "tension member"

Member \Mem"ber\, n. [OE. membre, F. membre, fr. L. membrum; cf. Goth. mimz flesh, Skr. mamsa.]

1. (Anat.) A part of an animal capable of performing a distinct office; an organ; a limb.

   We have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office.
   --Rom. xii. 4.

2. Hence: A part of a whole; an independent constituent of a body; as:

   1. A part of a discourse or of a period or sentence; a clause; a part of a verse.

   2. (Math.) Either of the two parts of an algebraic equation, connected by the sign of equality.

   3. (Engin.) Any essential part, as a post, tie rod, strut, etc., of a framed structure, as a bridge truss.

   4. (Arch.) Any part of a building, whether constructional, as a pier, column, lintel, or the like, or decorative, as a molding, or group of moldings.

   5. One of the persons composing a society, community, or the like; an individual forming part of an association; as, a member of the society of Friends.

   6. (Math.) one of the elements which, taken together, comprise a set.

   7. (Math.) one of the individual objects which comprise a group or class.

      Compression member, Tension member (Engin.), a member, as a rod, brace, etc., which is subjected to compression or tension, respectively.

Tension \Ten"sion\, n. [L. tensio, from tendere, tensum, to stretch: cf. F. tension. See Tense, a.]

1. The act of stretching or straining; the state of being stretched or strained to stiffness; the state of being bent strained; as, the tension of the muscles, tension of the larynx.

2. Fig.: Extreme strain of mind or excitement of feeling; intense effort.

3. The degree of stretching to which a wire, cord, piece of timber, or the like, is strained by drawing it in the direction of its length; strain.
   --Gwilt.

4. (Mech.) The force by which a part is pulled when forming part of any system in equilibrium or in motion; as, the tension of a srting supporting a weight equals that weight.

5. A device for checking the delivery of the thread in a sewing machine, so as to give the stitch the required degree of tightness.

6. (Physics) Expansive force; the force with which the particles of a body, as a gas, tend to recede from each other and occupy a larger space; elastic force; elasticity; as, the tension of vapor; the tension of air.

7. (Elec.) The quality in consequence of which an electric charge tends to discharge itself, as into the air by a spark, or to pass from a body of greater to one of less electrical potential. It varies as the quantity of electricity upon a given area.

   Tension brace, or Tension member (Engin.), a brace or member designed to resist tension, or subjected to tension, in a structure.

   Tension rod (Engin.), an iron rod used as a tension member to strengthen timber or metal framework, roofs, or the like.

Tension members are structural elements that are subjected to axial tensile forces. Examples of tension members are bracing for buildings and bridges, truss members, and cables in suspended roof systems.