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Structures Plastic Collapse of A Portal Frame

The aim of this experiment is to examine how structures behave in reality and to see how physical experiments compare with the theory you have been learning in the lectures.

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Kelvin Chew
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2K views

Structures Plastic Collapse of A Portal Frame

The aim of this experiment is to examine how structures behave in reality and to see how physical experiments compare with the theory you have been learning in the lectures.

Uploaded by

Kelvin Chew
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ECM2109 Structures Plastic collapse of a portal frame

Aim

The aim of this experiment is to examine how structures behave in reality and to see how physical experiments compare with the theory you have been learning in the lectures.

Objectives
1. To examine the elastic and elasto-plastic behaviour of a portal frame under increasing load. 2. To observe the onset of plasticity and its consequences. 3. To compare the theoretical value of the plastic collapse load for a statically indeterminate structure with that found in experiment.

Apparatus

The apparatus comprises a loading rig into which has been clamped a model portal frame made of of mild steel section with a uniform rectangular section. The loading system is provided by a system of cables which is designed to apply a vertical load at the centre of the beam and a horizontal load at the top of one column. Two gauges have been placed in order to monitor the horizontal deection of the beam and its central vertical deection.

Experimental procedure

The nominal centre-line dimensions of the portal frame are as shown in Figure 1 but you should verify that they are accurate. W W 200 mm

300 mm Figure 1: Nominal dimensions of the portal frame

1. Make sure the loading rig is in good working order. Visually inspect cables for damage. 2. With the frame unloaded, zero the dial gauge readings. 3. Load the frame steadily as follows: (a) Use the selector and switch to the horizontal load cell by turning the knob on the load cell and increment it slowly by 10 N. (b) Use the selector and switch to the vertical load cell. Increase the vertical load by 10 N and use the corrector knob at the centre to ensure that the loading cable remains precisely vertical. (c) Repeat steps (a) and (b) in order until plastic failure occurs. 4. Monitor and note the deection when both horizontal and vertical loads are equal and try to see when plastic hinges form (this will result in the reduction of the overall stiness of the structure). 5. As more plastic hinges form, the deection will get noticeable and you should verify where they have formed. 6. Slowly continue to add load (taking deection readings as before) until collapse occurs (somewhere in the range 120 N200 N) which is signied by increase in displacement without increase in load. 7. After collapse, unload the frame and remove it from the loading rig. Use a set square to verify the permanent rotation at some (but not all) of the corners.

Theoretical calculations
1. Calculate the static indeterminacy, s , of the frame. 2. Using the actual size of the members and the value of the yield stress for mild steel, y , (which will be provided for you in the lab) nd the fully plastic moment Mp for the section. 3. Verify the number and locations of the plastic hinges at the end of the experiment. Use the principle of virtual work to calculate the theoretical collapse load of the structure. estimate to the collapse load and compare this with the experimental value.

Ask if you need help to perform any of these calculations.

Presentation of the results

You are asked each to submit a laboratory report on your experiment. Follow the guidelines which you have received in the uids part of this course. Things to do include the following. 1. Draw the experimental set up (not just the notional line diagram given herein). 2. Plot graphs of the deections you have measured (on the horizontal axis) against load (on the vertical axis). (Why this way and not the other way round?) Are the graphs linear or piecewise linear? Try to identify at which loads plastic hinges have formed. 3. Give the derivation of your theoretical value for Mp and collapse load. 4. How does the theoretical value of collapse load compare with what you have observed? What are the possible sources of any discrepancy?

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