What do tension members in a boomilever design primarily resist?

In a boomilever design, tension members are specifically engineered to handle pulling forces. These members are subjected to tensile stress, which occurs when forces are applied that attempt to stretch or elongate them. The primary function of tension members is to carry loads that pull away from the connections or joints, effectively stabilizing the structure and ensuring that it remains intact under various forces.

In contrast, compression forces act to shorten or compress a member, which is not the role of tension members. Shear forces involve sliding one part of the structure over another, and though they can affect the overall integrity of the design, they are not what tension members resist specifically. Torsional forces relate to twisting and are not the primary concern for tension members. Overall, understanding that tension members are designed to resist pulling forces is essential in the context of structural engineering and boomilever design principles.