Plastic Analysis

Steel Design

Plastic Analysis 2
Plane Frames

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Plastic Hinges
Where do Plastic Hinges form?

For a uniform section:

From the elastic bending moment
diagram, the extreme fibres at the
section with the largest BM will reach
yield stress first.
Then, the next largest BM and so on...

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Plastic Analysis

Mechanisms
No of Plastic Hinges required for a
Collapse Mechanism (normally but not
always!)
= No of static indeterminacy + 1

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Mechanisms
If the sections are different (ie with
different Mp), the plastic hinge is
normally (again not always) at the
weaker section (ie smaller Mp)

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Mechanisms
When more than 1 mechanism is
possible in the structure,
the actual collapse mechanism among
the possible mechanisms is the one
with the smallest collapse load.

=> Choice of mechanisms

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Collapse Load
At Collapse Load,

1) The structure is a mechanism

2) Maximum BM is Mp at all Plastic

Hinges. Rest of BM should be less
than Mp

3) Elastic relationship no longer exists

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Plastic Analysis

Upper Bound Solution

Defined as:

‘The prescribed loads are equal to

or greater than the collapse loading,
if calculated from an assumed
collapse mechanism.’

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Upper & Lower Bound

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Lower Bound Solution

Defined as:

‘The prescribed loads are equal to

or less than the collapse loading
provided that the BM throughout
the structure are equal to or less
than the ultimate moments and
satisfy the equations of static
equilibrium.’

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Lower Bound Solution

After determining the lowest Collapse
Load, draw the BM diagram to check
whether all BMs are less than Mp

If there is BM bigger than Mp

then it is Lower Bound solution.
If the excess is small, say 5%, then
reduce loads accordingly.

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Unique Solution
Combining the Upper and Lower
Bound,

‘The prescribed external loads are

equal to the Collapse loads for the
collapse mechanism provided that no
BM exceed Mp and satisfy the
equations of equilibrium.’

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Plastic Analysis

Plane Frames

3P2
P1
B C D
L/2 L/2

A E

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Plane Frames
Elastic BM diagrams (qualitative):
horizontal load vertical load

B D C
C B D

A E A E

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Plane Frames
Max BM is at D.

Indeterminacy is 1 and so only 2 plastic

hinges are required for collapse.

Depending on the relative values for P1 and

P2 , next largest BM can be either at B or at
C.

=> 2 possible collapse mechanisms

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Plane Frames
Collapse Mechanism 1 – Plastic Hinges at B
and D (Sway)
3P2
P1 B D
C
No external WD
by 3P2

A E

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Plane Frames
Collapse Mechanism 1 – Plastic Hinges at B
and D (Sway)
3P2
P1 B D
C

A E

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Plane Frames
Collapse Mechanism 2 – Plastic Hinges at C
and D (Sway + Beam)
3P2
P1 B D
C
External WD
by P1 and 3P2

A E

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Plane Frames
Collapse Mechanism 2 – Plastic Hinges at C
and D (Sway + Beam)
3P2
P1 B D
C

A E

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Plane Frames
With the lowest Collapse Load, draw BMD.

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Plane Frames
With more complex structures, there is a risk
of missing the unique solution !!

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Steel Buildings Design

Plastic Analysis 2
Plane Frames with Inclined Members
(Pitched Plane Frames)

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Plastic Analysis

Pitched Plane Frames

3P2

C L/2
P1
B D

A E
3L

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Pitched Plane Frames

Elastic BM diagrams (qualitative):
horizontal load vertical load

C
C
B
D B D

A E A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

Indeterminacy is 1 and so only 2 plastic
hinges are required for collapse.

Consider collapse mechanisms for separate

loads …

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Pitched Plane Frames

Collapse Mechanism 1 – Horizontal Load
Plastic Hinges at B and D (Sway)

C C
B B
D D

A E A E

BMD
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Pitched Plane Frames

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Pitched Plane Frames

Collapse Mechanism 2 – Vertical Load

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Pitched Plane Frames

Collapse Mechanism 2 – Vertical Load
Plastic Hinges at B, C and D (Ridge Beams)

C C

B D B D

A E A E

BMD
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Pitched Plane Frames

Relationship between the vertical deflection
at C and the horizontal deflection at B or D,
or their rotations.

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Pitched Plane Frames

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Pitched Plane Frames

Collapse Mechanism 3 – Combination
Plastic Hinges at C and D (Sway + Ridge
Beams)
C

B
D

A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

Relationship between vertical deflection at C
and horizontal deflection at B, or rotations.

By using Instantaneous Centre which is:

the junction (or intersection) of the
lines taken from the points about
which the collapsed parts of the
structure rotate, and passing
through the plastic hinges.

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Pitched Plane Frames

ABC rotates about A, and C is the plastic
hinge
ED rotates about E, and D is the plastic
hinge
C

B
D

A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

AI passes through C
EI passes through D I

B
D

A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

Rotation at I from C to C’
= Rotation at I from D to D’ I

=θ θ
θ

B C’
D D’

A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

Rotation at A for ABC = φ
Angle CAC’ = φ I

θ
θ

B C’
D D’

φ
φ
A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

Since AC = CI (in this case)
φ=θ I

θ
θ

B C’
D D’

φ
φ
A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

B C’
D D’

φ φ
F β
E
A φ
F’

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Pitched Plane Frames

Angle DED’ = β
Since DD’ = 2L.θ I

L.β = 2L.θ θ
θ
β = 2θ
C

B C’
D D’

φ
φ β
A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

Rotation at C’ = θ + φ
Rotation at D’ = θ + β I

θ
θ

B C’
D D’

φ
φ β
A E

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Pitched Plane Frames

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Pitched Plane Frames

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Pitched Plane Frames

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