Structural Analysis - II

Plastic Analysis
 Module IV

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 by equilibrium and mechanism methods.

2
 Plastic Analysis -Why? What?
• Behaviour beyond elastic limit?

• Plastic deformation - collapse load

• Safe load – load factor

• Design based on collapse (ultimate) load – limit

design

• Economic - Optimum use of material

3
 Materials

• Elastic •Elastic-Perfectly plastic

σ Elastic limit
σ Elastic limit

ε ε

4
 Upper yield
point
A
Plastic
range

B C
Lower yield
point

O strain
Idealised stress-strain curve of mild steel

5
 O strain
Idealised stress-strain curve in plastic theory

6
• Elastic analysis
- Material is in the elastic state
- Performance of structures under service loads
- Deformation increases with increasing load

• Plastic analysis
- Material is in the plastic state
- Performance of structures under
ultimate/collapse loads
- Deformation/Curvature increases without an
increase in load.
7
 Assumptions
• Plane sections remain plane in plastic
condition

• Stress-strain relation is identical both in

compression and tension

8
Process of yielding of a section
• Let M at a cross-section increases gradually.

• Within elastic limit, M = σ.Z

• Z is section modulus, I/y

• Elastic limit - yield stresses reached

My = σy.Z

• When moment is increased, yield spreads into inner

fibres. Remaining portion still elastic

• Finally, the entire cross-section yields

9
 σ σy

σy σ

10
Change in stress distribution during
yielding

σ σy σy σy

σ σy σy σy

Rectangular cross section

11
σy σy σy σy

σy σy

Inverted T section

12
 Plastic hinge
• When the section is completely yielded, the
section is fully plastic
• A fully plastic section behaves like a hinge -
Plastic hinge

Plastic hinge is defined as an yielded zone due

to bending in a structural member, at which
large rotations can occur at a section at
constant plastic moment, MP

13
 Mechanical hinge Plastic hinge
Reality Concept
Resists zero Resists a constant
moment moment MP

Mechanical Hinge Plastic Hinge with MP= 0

14
• M - Moment corresponding to working load

• My - Moment at which the section yields

• MP - Moment at which entire section is under yield stress

σy

T
σy
MP
15
 Plastic moment
• Moment at which the entire section is
under yield stress
C =T
A
c y = Aσt
Aσ y ⇒A c =A=t
2

•NA divides cross-section into 2 equal parts

A
C=T = σ y
2

16
16
 σy

C=Aσ y
ycc 2

yt
A
T= σ y
2
σy Similar to σ y Z
Aσ A
⇒ σ
•Couple due to y ( yc +y t ) =σ Zy p
2 y 2

Plastic modulus
Zp
(>1) is the shape factor
Z
17
 Shape factor for various cross-sections
b

Rectangular cross-section:
d

Section modulus
I (bd 3
12) bd 2
Z= = =
y (d2) 6
A bd ⎛d d ⎞ bd 2
Plastic modulus Z p = (y c + y)t = ⎜ + ⎟=
2 2 ⎝4 4 ⎠ 4
Zp
Shape factor = 1.5
Z

18 18
Circular section
A
Zp = (y c +y)t
2
d 2 3
⎛πd ⎞⎛2d 2d⎞ d
= ⎜ ⎟⎜ + ⎟=
⎝ 8 ⎠⎝3π 3π⎠ 6

(πd 4
64) πd 3 Zp
Z= = S= =1.7
d2 32 Z

19
Triangular section
3
⎛ bh ⎞
⎜ ⎟ 2
⎝ 36 ⎠ bh 2h
Z= =
2h 24 3
3 CG axis h

A
Zp = (y c +y)t b
2

yc
Equal area axis
y
S = 2.346 t

b
20
I section

20mm

250mm 10mm

20mm
200 mm

S = 1.132 Mp = 259.6 kNm

21
 Load factor
collapse load M σ y ZP
Load factor = = P
=
working load M σZ

Rectangular cross-section:

M P =σ y ZP =σ y
bd 2 bd 2 σ y bd 2
4
M =σZ=σ =
6 1.5 6
2 2
MP ⎛ bd ⎞ ⎛σ y bd ⎞
∴LF= = ⎜σ y ⎟÷ ⎜ ⎟ =2.25
M ⎝ 4 ⎠ ⎝1.5 6 ⎠

22
 Factor of safety

Yield Load Wy
Factor of Safety = =
Working Load W
Yield Stress σ
= =
y
WorkingStress σ
σy
= =1.5
(σ y /1.5)

Elastic Analysis - Factor of Safety

Plastic Analysis - Load Factor

23
 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 will be created.

• Any further increase in load will cause collapse

24
• For a statically indeterminate beam to collapse, 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.)

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

as the plastic hinge cannot carry any additional moment.

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Beam mechanisms

Determinate beams
& frames: Collapse
after first plastic Simple beam
hinge

26
 Indeterminate beams &
frames: More than one
plastic hinge
to develop mechanism
Fixed beam

Plastic hinges develop at the ends first

Beam becomes a simple beam

Plastic hinge develops at the centre

Beam collapses

27
 Indeterminate beam:
More than one plastic
hinge to develop
mechanism
Propped cantilever

Plastic hinge develops at the fixed support first

Beam becomes a simple beam

Plastic hinge develops at the centre

Beam collapses
Panel mechanism/sway mechanism

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Gable Mechanism
W

Composite (combined) Mechanism

- Combination of the above

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 Methods of Plastic Analysis
• 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
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.

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• Collapse 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:

W .l
MP = u
4
MP
M
∴W 4M P
u
=
l

33
Virtual work method:
W =W
E I

⎛l
Wu ⎜ θ⎟=M P .2θ
⎝2 ⎠

Wu
4M P
∴W u =
2θ l
l
θ
2

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

MC1 C2

MP1 P

35
 Equilibrium:
wu l 2 wu
2M P=
8
θ θ
16M P 2θ
∴w u =
l2

Virtual work: W E =W I

⎛ l ⎞
0+ θ 16M P
⎛ l ⎞⎜ ⎟ ∴w =
2 ⎜w u ⎟⎜ 2
⎟ =M P
(θ+2θ+θ ) u
l
2
⎝ 2 ⎠⎜ 2 ⎟
⎝ ⎠

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
2M P =W u
4
8M P 8M P
∴W u = ∴W u =
l l
37
4. Fixed beam with eccentric point load

Wu
a b
Equilibrium:
ab
2M P =W u
l
MP 2M P l
∴W u =
MP ab

38
Virtual work:
Wu aθ1 =bθ 2
a b
θ1 θ2 b
⇒θ =1 θ 2
1 θ +θ 2
a

Wu(aθ)=M
1 P ⎡θ⎣1 +(θ 1 +θ)2+θ⎦ 2

⎡ b ⎤
W u (bθ2 )=M θ +2θ 2 ⎦
P ⎣2 a 2

MP ⎡ b ⎤ 2M (a+b) Wu =
2M P
l
= 2 θ 2 +2θ 2 =
P
∴W u
bθ2 ⎣ a ⎦ ab ab
 5. Propped cantilever with point load at
midspan

MPC1
MP
B1

40
 Wu

2θ

Virtual work:
Equilibrium:
WE=W I
Wl
⎛l ⎞ M +0.5M =u
(Wu ) ⎜ ⎟θ =M P (θ+2θ)
P P
4
⎝2⎠

6MP
6M P ∴W u
=
∴W u = l
l
41
 6. Propped cantilever with UDL

wl 2 Maximum positive BM

8
x1

MP
MP
At collapse
E
x2
Required to locate E

42
 2
wlx wxu ⎛x 2 ⎞
M E = u 2
− 2
−M P ⎜ ⎟ =M P
(1)
2 2 ⎝l ⎠

For maximum, dM E =0
dx 2

wlu MP (2)
−wxu 2 − =0
2 l

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

MP
From (2), w u =11.656
l2
Problem 1: For the beam, determine the design plastic moment
capacity.
50 kN 75 kN

1.5 m 1.5 m

7.5 m

• Degree of Indeterminacy, 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 m 4.5 m 1.5m
θ θ1

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

∴M =4
p

45
 50 75

1.5 m 4.5 m 1.5 m

θ
θ1

θ + θ1 6θ= 1.5θ 1
Mechanism 2
1.5
⇒θ = θ1
6
1.5 ⎞ ⎛1.5 1.5 ⎞
50⎜1.5× θ 1 ⎟+75(1.5θ)=1 M p ⎜ θ1 + θ 1 +θ 1 ⎟
⎝ 6 ⎠ ⎝ 6 6 ⎠

∴M p =87.5kNm

Design plastic moment (Highest of the above) = 87.5 kNm

Problem 2: A beam of span 6 m is to be designed for an ultimate UDL
of 25 kN/m. The beam is simply supported at the ends. Design 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 work done WI = 0+M ×2θ+0=
p
2M pθ

⎛ 0+3θ⎞
External work done W =2×25× ⎜3× ⎟ =225θ
E
⎝ 2 ⎠
=112.5kNm
2M θ ∴M
p =225θ
W I=W ⇒ E p

6
MP 112.5×10
Plastic modulus Z P = = = 4.5×10 5 mm 3
σy 250

Z 4.5 ×10 5

Section modulus Z= P = = 3.913×10 5 mm3

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.

B A/2 W A/2 C
F

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

BM p W I = M θ+2M
p (2θ)+Mθ=
p Mθp p

A/2 θ
2θ WA
WE = θ
E 22
W/2 2Mpp
28M
WE =W I ⇒W c = p
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 = 4M pθ

W =W Aθ
E
2
8M p
WE =W I ⇒W c =
A

52
 Panel Mechanism
WI =2Mθ+M
p p
θ+Mθ p=4Mθ p

W WA
WE = θ
Mp A/2 A/2 Mp 22
F 16M p
θ WE =W I ⇒W c
=
A/2 θ A
Aθ
W/2 2
E

A/2

2Mp

53
 Combined Mechanism
W
WI = 2M p (θ) + M p (2θ)
A/ 2 A/ 2 Mp
θ A θ +M p (θ +θ)
θ
2
θ 2θ =6Mθp
A/2 θ
Mp
A
θ
W/2 2
WA A 3
E WE = θ+W θ = WAθ
22 2 4
A/2
8Mp
2Mp WE =W I ⇒W c =
A

8M p
TrueCollapseLoad,( Lowest of the above,)W=c
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 ⎞
W E =2×10× ⎜4× ⎟ =160θ Mp
2θ
⎝ 2 ⎠

W I =M p (θ+2θ+θ)= 4Mθ p

∴M p =40kNm

57
 25 kN
Panel Mechanism 4θ
Mp Mp

θ θ

WE =W I

⇒M p (θ+θ)=25×4θ

⇒M p =50kNm

58
Combined Mechanism 10kN/m
x 8−x θ1
25kN 4θ
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)θ 1

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

59
 ⎡ x ⎤
W =M ⎣( θ +θ)+θ +θ⎦⎤= 2M p θ +θ ⎥
I p 1 1 ⎢
⎣8−x ⎦

5(5+2x )(8−x)
W E =W I ⇒ M p =
4
dM P
For maximum, =0
dx

⇒ x = 2.75 m

5(5+2x)(8−x)
∴M p = =68.91kNm
4

Design plastic moment of resistance,(largest of the above),M p

=68.91kNm

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. Due to hinges developing at A, B and D

2. Due to hinges developing at B and E

61
Equilibrium:

Hinges at A, B and D
Mp
Mp >M p
Mp
PuA E
u PA
4 4
PA 8M p
u
=M p +M p ⇒P=u
4 A

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

not possible.
Hinges at B and E

M p pM
Mp
PA
PA
u
u
4
4

PA
u =M +
Mp 6M p
p ⇒P u=
4 2 A

6M p
True Collapse Load, Pu =
A
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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 ⎞ 8Mp
Pu ⎜ θ⎟=M p (θ+2θ +θ) ⇒P u = Hinges at B and E
⎝2 ⎠ A
⎛A ⎞ 6Mp
Pu ⎜ θ⎟=M p (θ+2θ) ⇒P u =
⎝2 ⎠ A

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

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

• Degree of Indeterminacy, N = 0

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

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

65
 Wu
L/2 L/2
θ Mechanism 1
Lθ/2
Mp

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

2M p
Wu ×Lθ=2M θ
p
∴W u =
L
2M p
TrueCollapse Load,(Lowest of the above,)W c =
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 2y 0

resisted by the internal couple.

Distance of CG from NA,

σy
⎛d ⎞ ⎡ 1⎛d ⎞⎤ σy2
b ⎜ −y 0⎟ ×σ × y + −y ⎟⎥ +by y0
⎠
y ⎢ 0 ⎜ 0 0 2 2
⎝2 ⎣ 2⎝2 ⎠⎦ 23 3d −4y
y′= =
0
⎛d ⎞
b ⎜ −y 0 ⎟σ y +by 0 y
σ 12(d − y)0
⎝2 ⎠ 2

67
Internal couple (moment of resistance)

⎧ ⎛d ⎞ σy ⎫ 3d 2
−4y 0
2
=2× ⎨b ⎜ −y 0 ⎟σ +by ⎬ ×
2 ⎭ 12(d − y)0
y 0
⎩ ⎝2 ⎠

3d 2 −4y 2
= bσ y
12
bd 2
External bending moment = 0.9M p =0.9×Z pσy =0.9× σ y
4

3d 2 −4y 0 2 bd 2
Equating the above, bσ y =0.9× σ y
12 4
⇒ y = 0.274d
0

Hence, depth of elastic core =2y 0 = 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 by equilibrium and mechanism methods.

69