Plastic Analysis

(Advanced Theory of Structures)

Dr P. Mandal
School of MACE
13 October 2008
Example

All vertical members in the structure have

the same cross-sectional area A and are
made of the material as shown.

The horizontal member is rigid.

Show the relationship between load P and
its displacement v, as P increases from
zero to maximum possible value.
Collapse Analysis
(Propped Cantilever under Concentrated Load)

The uniform beam is fixed at A

and pinned at C.
What is the load Pc that causes
collapse by development of
plastic hinges?
Collapse Analysis
(Propped Cantilever under Uniformly Distributed Load)

The uniform beam is fixed at A

and pinned at C.
What is the load qc that causes
collapse by development of
plastic hinges?
Fixed-ended Beam
Fixed-ended Beam
Basic Conditions for Plastic Analysis

z Plastic hinges tend to develop at the ends of members, at

positions of concentrated loads and at the point of maximum
moments.
z Moment redistribution occurs with formation of successive plastic
hinges until collapse.
z The number of hinges (n) required to cause failure is related to
the degree of statical indeterminacy (R).

n = R +1
The above statement is true except for partial or over-complete
collapses.
The upper bound theorem
(the unsafe theorem)

A load, computed on the basis of an

assumed mechanism, is equal to or
greater than the true plastic limit load.
The lower bound theorem
(the safe theorem)

A load, computed on the basis of a bending

moment distribution in which no moment
exceeds the local value of Mp, is equal to or less
than the true plastic limit load.
The Uniqueness theorem

A load, computed on the basis of a bending

moment distribution which satisfies the
conditions of equilibrium, plastic moment and
mechanism, is the true plastic limit load.
 Uniqueness

Mechanism Equilibrium Yield

Upper bound
Lower bound
 Comments

z Equilibrium: Internal bending moments M in a structure

are in equilibrium with the external loads.
z Yield: The values of M are less than, or at most equal to,
the value of the full plastic moment.
z Mechanism: There is an arrangement of plastic hinges
which will permit deformation of the frame.
z Note that the theorem does not guarantee that the
collapse mechanism itself is unique.