Plastic Analysis

Mechanisms of failure
• A statically determinate beam will collapse if one plastic
hinge is developed

• Consider a simply supported beam with constant cross

section loaded with a point load P at midspan

• If P is increased until a plastic hinge is developed at the point

of maximum moment (just underneath P) an unstable
structure
t t will
ill b
be created.
t d

• Any further increase in load will cause collapse

24
• For a statically
y indeterminate beam to collapse,
p more than one
plastic hinge should be developed

• The plastic hinge will act as real hinge for further increase of
load (until sufficient plastic hinges are developed for
collapse )
collapse.)

• As the load is increased,, there is a redistribution of moment,,

as the plastic hinge cannot carry any additional moment.

25
Beam mechanisms

Determinate
D i beams
b
& frames: Collapse
after
f first
fi plastic
l i Simple beam
hinge

26
 Indeterminate beams &
frames:
a es: Mo
Moree than
t a oonee
plastic hinge
to develop p mechanism
Fixed beam

Plastic
l hinges
h d
develop
l at the
h ends
d first
f

Beam becomes a simple beam

Plastic hinge
g develops
p at the centre

Beam collapses

27
 Indeterminate beam:
Moree than
Mo t a oonee p
plastic
ast c
hinge to develop
mechanism
Propped cantilever

Plastic
l hinge
h d
develops
l at the
h fixed
f d support first
f

Beam becomes a simple beam

Plastic hinge
g develops
p at the centre

Beam collapses
Panel mechanism/sway mechanism

29
Gable Mechanism
W

Composite (combined) Mechanism

- Combination of the above

30
 Methods of Plastic Analysis
y
• Static method or Equilibrium method
- Lower bound: A load computed on the basis of an assumed
equilibrium BM diagram in which the moments are not greater than
MP is always less than (or at the worst equal to) the true ultimate
l d
load.

• Kinematic method or Mechanism method or Virtual work

method
- Work performed by the external loads is equated to the internal
work absorbed by plastic hinges

- Upper bound: A load computed on the basis of an assumed

mechanism is always greater than (or at the best equal to) the true
ultimate load.

31
• Collapse
p load (Wc)): Minimum load at which
collapse will occur – Least value

• Fully plastic moment (MP): Maximum moment

capacity for design – Highest value

32
 Determination of collapse load

1. Simple beam

Equilibrium method:

Wu .l
MP =
4
MP
M 4M P
∴Wu =
l

33
Virtual work method:
WE = WI

⎛l ⎞
Wu ⎜ θ ⎟ = M P .2θ
⎝2 ⎠

Wu
4M P
∴Wu =
2θ l
l
θ
2

34
2. Fixed beam with UDL
w.l 2
M CENTRE = ,
24
w.l 2
M ENDS = > M CENTRE
12
Hence plastic hinges will develop at the ends first.

M
MC1
M P
C2

M
M
MB1
PP

35
 Equilibrium:
wu
wu .l 2
2M P =
8
θ θ
16 M P 2θ
∴ wu = 2
l

Virtual work: WE = WI
⎛ l ⎞
⎜ 0+ θ ⎟ 16 M P
⎛ l ⎞ ∴ wu = 2
⎟ = M P (θ + 2θ + θ )
2 ⎜ wu ⎟ ⎜ 2
⎝ 2 ⎠⎜ 2 l
⎟
⎝ ⎠
36
3. Fixed beam with point load

Wu
MP
θ θ MP
2θ

Virtual work:

⎛l⎞ Equilibrium:
Wu ⎜ ⎟ θ = M P (θ + 2θ + θ )
⎝2⎠ l
2 M P = Wu
4
8M P 8M P
∴Wu = ∴Wu =
l l
37
4. Fixed beam with eccentric point load

Wu
a b
Equilibrium:
q
ab
2 M P = Wu
l
MP 2 M Pl
∴Wu =
MP ab

38
Virtual work:
Wu aθ1 = bθ 2
a b
θ1 θ2 b
⇒ θ1 = θ 2
θ1 + θ 2 a

Wu ( aθ1 ) = M P ⎡⎣θ1 + (θ1 + θ 2 ) + θ 2 ⎦⎤

Wu ( bθ 2 ) = M P ⎢2 θ 2 + 2θ 2 ⎥⎤
⎡ b
⎣ a ⎦
MP ⎡ b ⎤ = 2M P ( a + b) Wu =
2 M Pl
∴Wu =
bθ 2 ⎢⎣ 2 a θ 2 + 2θ 2 ⎦⎥ ab ab
 5. Propped cantilever with point load at
midspan

M
MMC2
C1
P

M
MPB1
P

40
 Wu

2θ

Vi t l work:
Virtual k
Equilibrium:
WE = WI
Wu .l
⎛l⎞ M P + 0.5M P =
(Wu ) ⎜ ⎟ θ = M P (θ + 2θ ) 4
⎝2⎠
6M P
6M P ∴Wu =
∴Wu = l
l
41
 6. Propped cantilever with UDL

wl 2 Maximum p
positive BM

8
x1

MP
MP
At collapse
E
x2
Required
q to locate E

42
 ME =
l 2 wu x2 2
wu lx
− ⎛ x2 ⎞
− MP ⎜ ⎟ = MP (1)
2 2 ⎝ l ⎠

For maximum, dM E
=0
dx2

wu l MP (2)
− wu x2 − =0
2 l

From (1) and (2), x2 = 0.414l

MP
From (2), wu = 11.656 2
l
Problem 1: For the beam, determine the design plastic moment
capacity.
i
50 kN 75 kN

1.5 m 1.5 m

7.5 m

• Degree
D off Indeterminacy,
d N=3–2=1
• No. of hinges, n = 3
• No. of independent mechanisms ,r = n - N = 2

44
 50 kN 75 kN

1.5 m

50 kN 75 kN
1.5
1 5m 45m
4.5 1.5
1 5m
θ θ1

Mechanism 1
θ + θ1
1.5
1 5θ = 6θ1
1.5 ⇒ θ1 = θ
6
⎛ 1.5 ⎞ ⎛ 1.5 ⎞
50 (1.5θ ) + 75 ⎜ 1.5 × θ ⎟ = M p ⎜ θ + θ + θ⎟
⎝ 6 ⎠ ⎝ 6 ⎠

∴ M p = 45.83
45 83
45
 50 75

1.5 m 4.5 m 1.5 m

θ
θ1

θ + θ1 6θ = 1.5θ1
Mechanism 2
1.5
⇒θ = θ1
6
⎛ 1.5 ⎞ ⎛ 1.5 1.5 ⎞
50 ⎜ 1.5 × θ1 ⎟ + 75 (1.5θ1 ) = M p ⎜ θ1 + θ1 + θ1 ⎟
⎝ 6 ⎠ ⎝ 6 6 ⎠
∴ M p = 87.5 kNm

Design
g pplastic moment ((Highest
g of the above)) = 87.5 kNm
Problem 2: A beam of span 6 m is to be designed for an ultimate UDL
off 25 kN/m.
kN/ Th beam
The b i simply
is i l supported t d att the
th ends.
d Design
D i a
suitable I section using plastic theory, assuming σy= 250 MPa.
25 kN/m

6m

• Degree of Indeterminacy, N = 2 – 2 = 0
• No. of hinges, n = 1
• No. of independent mechanisms, r = n-N = 1

25 kN/m Mechanism

θ θ
2θ
3m 3m
47
 Internal
te a work
o k done
do e WI = 0 + M p × 2θ + 0 = 2 M pθ

⎛ 0 + 3θ ⎞ = 225θ
External work done WE = 2 × 25 × ⎜ 3 × ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠

WI = WE ⇒ 2 M pθ = 225θ ∴ M p = 112.5 kNm

MP 112.5 × 106
Plastic modulus Z P = = = 4.5 × 105 mm 3
σy 250

ZP = 4.5
.5 × 10
0 5

Section modulus Z= = 3
3.913
913 × 10 5
mm 3

S 1.15

Assuming shape factor S = 1.15

Adopt ISLB 275@330 N/m (from Steel Tables – SP 6)

Problem 3: Find the collapse load for the frame shown.
shown

B A/2 W A/2 C

A/2 Mp
E
W/2
2Mp 2Mp

A/2

D
A

49
• Degree of Indeterminacy, N = 5 – 3 = 2

• No. of hinges, n = 5 (at A, B, C, E & F)

• No. of independent mechanisms ,r = n - N = 3

• Beam Mechanisms for members AB & BC

• Panel Mechanism

50
Beam Mechanism for AB

B Mp WI = 2M pθ + 2M p (2θ ) + M pθ = 7 M pθ

A/2 θ
2θ W A
WE = θ
E 2 2
W/2 2Mp
28M p
WE = WI ⇒ Wc =
A/2 A
θ

2Mp

51
Beam Mechanism for BC
W
B A/2 F A/2 C
θ θ
A Mp Mp
Mp θ
2
2θ
Mp

WI = M pθ + M p (2θ ) + M pθ = 4 M pθ

A
WE = W θ
2
8M p
WE = WI ⇒ Wc =
A

52
 Panel Mechanism
WI = 2 M pθ + M pθ + M pθ = 4 M pθ

W W A
WE = θ
Mp A/2 A/2 Mp 2 2
F 16M p
θ WE = WI ⇒ Wc =
A/2 θ A
A
θ
W/2 2
E

A/2

2Mp

53
 Combined Mechanism
W
WI = 2 M p (θ ) + M p (2θ )
A/2 A/2 Mp
θ A θ + M p (θ + θ )
θ
2
θ 2θ = 6 M pθ
A/2 θ
Mp
A
θ
W/2 2
W A A 3
E WE = θ + W θ = W Aθ
2 2 2 4
A/2
88M
Mp
2Mp WE = WI ⇒ Wc =
A

8M p
True Collapse Load, ( Lowest of the above ) ,Wc =
A
54
Problem 4: A portal frame is loaded upto collapse. Find
the plastic moment capacity required if the frame is of
uniform section throughout.

10 kN/m
B C
25 kN
8m

Mp

4m Mp Mp

A D

55
• Degree of Indeterminacy, N = 4 – 3 = 1

• No. of possible plastic hinges, n = 3

(at B, C and between B&C)

• No. of independent mechanisms ,r = n - N = 2

• Beam Mechanism for BC

• Panel Mechanism

56
 10 kN/m
Beam Mechanism for BC B
C
θ θ
Mp 4θ Mp

⎛ 0 + 4θ ⎞ = 160θ 2θ
WE = 2 ×10 × ⎜ 4 × ⎟ Mp
⎝ 2 ⎠

WI = M p (θ + 2θ + θ ) = 4 M pθ

∴ M p = 40 kNm

57
 25 kN
Panel Mechanism 4θ
Mp Mp

θ θ

WE = WI

⇒ M p (θ + θ ) = 25 × 4θ

⇒ M p = 50 kNm

58
Combined Mechanism 10kN/m
8− x θ1
25kN 4θ x
θ xθ Mp
θ+ θ1
θ Mp
θ
It is required to locate the
plastic hinge between B & C 4m

Assume plastic hinge is

formed at x from B

xθ = ( 8 − x )θ1

⎛ xθ ⎞ ⎛ ( 8 − x )θ1 ⎞
WE = 25 × 4θ + 10 x × ⎜ ⎟ + 10 × ( 8 − x ) × ⎜ ⎟
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎝ 2 ⎠

59
 ⎡ x ⎤
WI = M p ⎡⎣(θ + θ1 ) + θ1 + θ ⎤⎦ = 2 M p ⎢ θ +θ ⎥
⎣8 − x ⎦
5 ( 5 + 2 x )( 8 − x )
WE = WI ⇒ M p =
4
dM P
For maximum, =0
dx

⇒ x = 2.75 m

5 ( 5 + 2 x )( 8 − x )
∴Mp = = 68.91 kNm
4
Design plastic moment of resistance, ( largest of the above ) , M p = 68.91 kNm

60
Problem 5: Determine the Collapse load of the continuous beam.
P
P
A A/2 B A/2 C
D E
A A
A collapse can happen in two ways: SI = 4 − 2 = 2

1 D
1. Due tto hinges
hi d
developing
l i att A,
A B and
dD

2. Due to hinges developing at B and E

61
Equilibrium:

Hinges at A, B and D
Mp
Mp >Mp
Mp
Pu A E
Pu A
4 4
Pu A 88M
Mp
= M p + M p ⇒ Pu =
4 A

Moment at E is greater than Mp. Hence this mechanism is

not possible.
Hinges at B and E

Mp
Mp
Mp
Pu A
Pu A
4
4

Pu A Mp 6M p
= Mp + ⇒ Pu =
4 2 A

6M p
True Collapse Load, Pu =
A
63
Virtual work: P P
A B C
A/2 D E A/2
A A
SI = 4 − 2 = 2
θ θ

2θ

θ θ
Hinges at A, B and D
2θ
⎛A ⎞ 8M p
Pu ⎜ θ ⎟ = M p (θ + 2θ + θ ) ⇒ Pu = Hinges at B and E
⎝2 ⎠ A
⎛A ⎞ 6M p
Pu ⎜ θ ⎟ = M p (θ + 2θ ) ⇒ Pu =
⎝2 ⎠ A

64
Problem 6: For the cantilever, determine the collapse load.

A L/2
L/2
C
2 Mp
p B Mp

• Degree of Indeterminacy
Indeterminacy, N = 0

• No.
No of possible plastic hinges,
hinges n = 2 (at A&B)

• No.
No of independent mechanisms ,rr = n - N = 2

65
 Wu
L/2
/2 L/2
θ Mechanism 1
Lθ/2
Mp

L 2M p
Wu × θ = M pθ ∴Wu =
2 L
Wu
L
θ
Lθ Mechanism 2
2Mp

2M p
Wu × Lθ = 2 M pθ ∴Wu =
L
2M p
T C ll
TrueCollapse L d ( Lowest
Load, L t off the b ) ,Wc =
th above
L
66
Problem 7: A beam of rectangular section b x d is subjected to a
bending moment of 0.9 Mp. Find out the depth of elastic core.
σy
Let the elastic core be of depth 2y0

External bending moment must be 2 y0

resisted by the internal couple.

Distance of CG from NA,

σy
⎛d ⎞ ⎡ 1⎛d ⎞⎤ σy 2
b ⎜ − y0 ⎟ × σ y × ⎢ y0 + ⎜ − y0 ⎟ ⎥ + by0 y0
⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎣ 2⎝ 2 ⎠ ⎦ 2 3 3d 2
− 4 y 2
y′ = = 0
⎛d ⎞ σy 12 ( d − y0 )
b ⎜ − y0 ⎟ σ y + by0
⎝2 ⎠ 2

67
I t
Internal
l couple
l (moment
( t off resistance)
i t )

⎧ ⎛d ⎞ σ y ⎫ 3d 2 − 4 y0 2
= 2 × ⎨b ⎜ − y0 ⎟σ y + by0 ⎬×
⎩ ⎝2 ⎠ 2 ⎭ 12 ( d − y0 )

3d 2 − 4 y0 2
= bσ y
12
bd 2
External bending moment = 0.9 M p = 0.9 × Z pσ y = 0.9 × σy
4
3d 2 − 4 y0 2 bd 2
Equating the above, bσ y = 0.9 × σy
12 4
⇒ y0 = 0.274d

Hence, depth of elastic core = 2 y0 = 0.548d

68
 Summary

Plastic Theory

• Introduction-Plastic hinge concept-plastic section modulus-shape

factor-redistribution of moments-collapse mechanism-

• Theorems of plastic analysis - Static/lower bound theorem;

Kinematic/upper bound theorem-Plastic analysis of beams and
portal frames b
by equilibrium and mechanism methods
methods.

69