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Objectives:
2. To verify that plastic collapse of a structure occurs when a sufficient (minimum number) of
plastic hinges causing the simplest form of mechanism has formed.
4. To draw conclusions based on findings and report on Limitations and Drawbacks of the
experiment.
Theory at a glance:
Mp
4
Equilibrium method: = =
4
W
Mp
Mp
2
8
=
6
=
Make sure you note the span and CS-dimensions of the beams used.
For better results, it is suggested that the load is increased by about 10 N per load step, or the
displacement increases by 2 mm,
Do not stop loading once the load reaches a peak; we are interested in the behaviour of the beam as it
collapses.
Start unloading once the load on the beam has remained approximately constant over a few load steps
Make sure that you can see a kink (plastic hinge) formed in the beam.
Take a few readings while unloading.
At the end of each test, note the value of the load Fp under which the beam deforms plastically (different
than the peak load), and calculate the value of the corresponding Plastic Moment Mp at the plastic hinge.
It is recognised that it is not easy to predict the exact magnitude of this load F p by just keeping a careful eye
on the experimental procedure.
Therefore, your Load v Deflection curve can now be utilised to estimate it. Here is the Procedure:
1. Plot the Load v Deflection graph as accurately as you can
2. From the graph itself, trace when plasticity begins and note the corresponding data point (load,
deflection)
3. This is a useful data point
4. Sketch the condition of the test (say the SS-condition) to some scale.
5. Superimpose (to the same scale) the deflected shape on it, with the deflection taken from 2, above
6. This is the deflected shape corresponding to the plastic hinge initiation.
7. This also corresponds to the plastic load for hinge initiation.
8. From the plastic load, you can calculate the plastic moment for hinge initiation.
9. It is a necessity to consult the corresponding theory before you carry out the comparison.
The above can provide the experimental (estimated) plastic moment which you can compare with the
theoretical one
Make sure you state any assumptions, limitations, drawbacks etc.
Draw our conclusions, clear, brief, to the point
You will need to calculate Mp by a plastic method, which can be generalized for
statically determinate and indeterminate structures.
Take one of the two beams which you tested earlier say the Simply Supported
condition. During plastic collapse the plastic hinge in the middle of the beam rotated
through (rad) while the force applied to the beam, Fp (N),
moved downwards by (mm).
Does this value agree with the calculated value? Discuss bearfly.
References:
Structures, Theory and Analysis. M S Williams & J D Todd. Palgrave McMillan 2000, ISBN:-10:
0-333-67760-9, p:159
Structural Mechanics. 2nd Edn, Ray Hulse & jack Cain, Palgrave, ISBN 0-333-80457-0. P:543
u
y
y u
3 4 5
2
1
1 2 3 4 5
Approximated (bilinear elasto-plastic) Stress-Strain curve for steel with different stages of
stress and strain. From Fully Elastic (Case 1) to Fully Plastic (Case 5)