BLD 401- Structural Analysis

Module 7:
Plastic Bending- Plastic Moment
 1. Introduction
The figure below shows the stress-strain (σ-ε) distribution of a rectangular beam
subjected to a bending moment (M).

Up to the elastic limit (    y ), the stress distribution is linear and strains developed in
members (    y ) are recoverable. Hence, it is described as the elastic range. The elastic
range is also characterised by a constant modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus).
Up to the elastic limit (    y ), the stress distribution is linear and strains developed in
members (    y ) are recoverable. Hence, it is described as the elastic range. The elastic
range is also characterised by a constant modulus of elasticity (Young’s Modulus).

Beyond the yield point, the stress distribution in members no longer remains linear but
non-linear. Since, the strains developed in members are not fully plastic but partially
recoverable, and the modulus of elasticity is no more constant, the inelastic range is
described as elastoplastic. This situation will continue until the section becomes fully
plastic- a situation in which a little increase in load will lead to a total failure of the
cross-section of the member.

The inelastic range is characterised by a variable modulus of elasticity referred to as the

Tangent Modulus of Elasticity ( ET  d ) because it has to be determined from point to
d
point. Hence, due to variability in the modulus of elasticity at the inelastic range, stresses
have been limited to the yield stress characterised by the Young’s Modulus ( E ) to
produce what is known as the idealised stress-strain curve described as elastic perfectly
plastic.
The four stages indicated on the idealised σ-ε curve, can be described as shown below.

Case 1: Before the yield point

The section is linear elastic ( M  My)
I
M = *
y
bd 3
I = Moment of inertia of the section =
12
d
y = Distance of the exterior fibre to the neutral axis =
2
I
= Z = Elastic section modulus of the section
y
I bd 3 2 bd 2
M = * =  *Z = * * = *
y 12 d 6
bd 2
Z = Elastic section modulus of the section =
6
Case 2: At the yield point ( M  M y )
This is characterised by the yielding of the exterior fibre.
I bd 2
My = y* = y* =  y *Z
y 6
My = Yield moment
y = Yield stress

Case 3: Beyond the yield point

The section is elastoplastic (partially elastic and partially plastic). It is characterised by the
yielding of some interior fibres. The moment is given by
M 
y = y*
bd 2
6
 
1   2   1.5 2     =  y *Z 

 
1   2   1.5 2   
2
 bd
Z =
6
My < M y < M p or Z < Z 
< S

S = Plastic section modulus of the section

Case 4: At the fully plastic point
At full plastic, further load increase will lead to the formation of plastic hinges and therefore
rotation and collapse of the member. The plastic moment is given by
bd d bd d bd 2
Mp = y* * = y* * = y* =  y *S
6 4 6 4 4

S = Plastic section modulus of the section

= Moment of the plastic areas (below and above the neutral axis) about the neutral axis
bd 2
=
4
Note: For a plastic cross-section, the areas below and above the neutral axis are equal.

Shape Factor
This is the ratio of Mp to My.

For a rectangular section,

Mp  y *b d 2 * 6
Shape factor = = = 1.5
My  y *b d 2 * 4

This shows that the plastic collapse of a rectangular beam will occur at a moment 50% greater
than the bending moment at the initial yielding of the beam.
 2. Worked Examples
Question 1
Determine the shape factor for the beam shown below.

Solution
Mp
Shape factor =
My
Ix
My = y*
y max

BD 3 300* 50 3 25* 400 3

Ix = + Ad 2
=2* ( + 300* 50* 225 2
)+ = 16.58*10 8 mm 4
12 12 12

y max = 250 mm
 Ix 16.58*10 8
My = y* = y* = 6.63*10 6  y
y max 250

Mp = 
2  y 300*50* 225  25* 200*100  = 7.75*10 6  y

Mp 7.75*10 6  y
Shape factor = = = 1.17
My 6.63*10 6  y

This shows that the plastic collapse of the section will occur at a moment 17% greater
than the bending moment at its initial yielding.
Question 2

Using a yield strength of 360 N/mm2, determine the following for the section
shown below.
a. The yield moment, plastic moment and shape factor.
b. The moment capacity at a depth of plastification of 75%.
Solution
a. i. Yield Moment

To determine the neutral axis, take first moment of area about the bottom of the section.
300* 20 * 390  350*10 * 205  300* 30 *15 3192500
 yb = = = 172.6 mm
300* 20  350*10  300* 30 18500

BD 3
Ix = + Ad 2

12

300* 20 3 300* 30 3 10* 350 3

= + 300* 20* 217.4 2 + + 300* 30*157.6 2 + + 10* 350* 27.4 2
12 12 12
= 54.635*10 7 mm 4

Ix
My = y* , y max = 227.4 mm
y max

Ix 360* 54.635*10 7 *10  6

 My = y* = = 865 kNm
y max 227.4
ii. Plastic Moment

To determine the neutral axis,

Plastic area above the neutral axis = Plastic area below the neutral axis
300* 20 + 10 (35  y ) = 10* y + 300* 30  y = 25 mm

325 25
 Mp = y ( 300* 20* 335  10* 325*  10* 25*  300* 30* 40 )
2 2
= 2.90*10 6  y = 2.90*10 6 * 360*10  6 = 1044 kNm

Mp 1044
iii. Shape factor = = = 1.21
My 865

This shows that the plastic collapse of the section will occur at a moment 21%
greater than the bending moment at its initial yielding.
b. Moment capacity at 75% plastification,

1 2
Mc =  y ( 300* 20* 335  10* 238.75* 205.625  *10*86.25* *86.25  300* 30* 40
2 3
1 2
+ 10*11.25*19.375  *10*13.75* *13.75 )
2 3

= 2.89*10 6  y = 2.89*10 6 * 360*10  6 = 1039.87 kNm