PLASTIC ANALYSIS

Elastic analyses are valid for linearly elastic

structures and do not give information about the loads
that will actually collapse a structure.

An indeterminate structure may sustain loads greater

than the load that first causes a yield to occur at any
point in the structure.

Plastic analysis is the method through which the

actual failure load of a structure is calculated.
 Cont…
 Plastic analysis is based on the idealization of the
stress-strain curve as elastic-perfectly-plastic.
 The section will reach its plastic moment capacity
and then undergo considerable rotation at this
moment.
Stress Distribution
 Plastic Hinge

• Once the plastic moment capacity is reached, the

section can rotate freely that is, it behaves like a
hinge, except with moment of MP at the hinge. This is
termed a plastic hinge, and is the basis for plastic
analysis.
• At the plastic hinge stresses remain constant, but
strains and hence rotations can increase.
Plastic Hinge Formation
 Shape Factor
The ratio of the plastic moment to the yield moment is known
as the shape factor since it depends on the shape of the cross
section. For equilibrium of the cross section, the areas in
compression and tension must be equal.
Free Bending Moment Diagram
ME MF
Final Bending Moment Diagram