Plastic Limit Analysis

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Plastic Limit Analysis

Plastic limit analysis deals with the procedures for
determining ultimate loads for structural systems of elastic-
ideally plastic material. These ultimate loads are the plastic
limit states. In the process of obtaining these loads, the entire
range of elastic-plastic system behaviour under increasing
load is considered. There are three distinct regions of
response.

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Plastic Limit Analysis
At first, these systems respond in a linearly elastic manner.
Then a part of the structural system yields as the remainder
continues to deform elastically. This is the range of contained
plastic flow. Finally, a structure continues to yield at no
further increase in applied load. At this stage of behaviour of
ideally plastic structures, the deformations become
unbounded. This condition is the plastic limit state.

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Plastic Limit Analysis

A direct calculation of the plastic limit state for ideally
plastic materials is both possible and rather simple. Such
calculations provide an insight into the collapse mode of
ductile structures. However, such direct solutions for plastic
limit load do not provide complete information on inelastic
behaviour and the deflections and distribution of forces
remain unknown.

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Elastoplastic Materials
A typical stress-strain curve for mild steel is shown below.

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Elastoplastic Materials
For purposes of analysis and design, actual stress-strain curve
of a ductile material is represented by an idealized stress-
strain curve as shown below.

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Elastoplastic Materials
The stress-strain diagram frequently used for structural steel is
shown. As steel has a linearly elastic region followed by a
region of considerable yielding, its behaviour can be
represented by two straight lines.

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Elastoplastic Materials
The material is assumed to follow
Hooke’s law up to the yield stress
𝜎𝑌 , after which it yields under
constant stress, the latter behaviour
being known as perfect plasticity.
Analysis made with these
assumptions is called elastoplastic
analysis, or simply, plastic analysis.

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 Elastoplastic Materials
A bilinear stress-strain diagram as
shown in figure, shows a stress-strain
diagram consisting of two lines having
different slopes. In both parts of the
diagram the relationship between stress
and strain is linear, but only in the first
part is the stress proportional to the
strain (Hooke’s law).

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Elastoplastic Materials
It can be noticed from the figure that
an elastoplastic material has a region
of linear elasticity between regions
of perfect plasticity. Throughout this
discussion, we will assume that the
material has the same yield stress 𝜎𝑌
and same yield strain 𝜀𝑌 in both
tension and compression.

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Yield Moment
Let us consider a beam of
elastoplastic material subjected to a
bending moment 𝑀 that causes
bending in the 𝑥𝑦 plane. When the
bending moment is small, the
maximum stress in the beam is less
than the yield stress 𝜎𝑌 as shown in
figure.

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Yield Moment
Under these conditions, the neutral
axis passes through the centroid of the
cross section and the normal stresses
are obtained from the flexure formula
𝑀𝑦
𝜎=− . Since the bending
𝐼

moment is positive, the stresses are

compressive above the 𝑧 axis and
tensile below it.
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 Yield Moment
The preceding conditions exist until
the stress in the beam at the point
farthest from the neutral axis reaches
the yield stress 𝜎𝑌 , either in tension or
in compression. The bending moment
in the beam when the maximum stress
just reaches the yield stress is called
the yield moment 𝑀𝑌 .

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Yield Moment
The yield moment 𝑀𝑌 , can be
obtained from the flexure formula:

𝜎𝑌 𝐼
𝑀𝑌 = = 𝜎𝑌 S
𝑐

in which 𝑐 is the distance to the

point farthest from the neutral axis
and 𝑆 is the corresponding section
modulus.

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 Plastic Moment
If bending moment is increased above
the yield moment 𝑀𝑌 , the strains in
the beam will continue to increase and
the maximum strain will exceed the
yield strain 𝜀𝑌 . However, because of
perfectly plastic yielding, the
maximum stress will remain constant
and equal to 𝜎𝑌 .

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Plastic Moment
As the bending moment increases still
further, the plastic region enlarges and
moves inward toward the neutral axis until
the condition shown in figure is reached. At
this stage the maximum strain in the beam
(at the farthest distance from the neutral
axis) is perhaps 10 or 15 times the yield
strain 𝜀𝑌 and the elastic core has almost
disappeared.
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 Plastic Moment
For all practical purposes the beam has
reached its ultimate moment-resisting
capacity, and the ultimate stress
distribution can be idealized as consisting of
two rectangular parts. The bending moment
corresponding to this idealized stress
distribution, called the plastic moment 𝑀𝑃 ,
represents the maximum moment that can be
sustained by a beam of elastoplastic material.
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Plastic Moment
To find the plastic moment 𝑀𝑃 , location
of the neutral axis of the cross section
under fully plastic conditions is needed.
Let the 𝑧 axis be the neutral axis. Every
point in the cross section above the
neutral axis is subjected to a compressive
stress 𝜎𝑌 , and every point below the
neutral axis is subjected to a tensile stress
𝜎𝑌 .
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 Plastic Moment
The resultant compressive force 𝐶 is
equal to 𝜎𝑌 times the cross-sectional
area 𝐴1 above the neutral axis, and
the resultant tensile force 𝑇 equals
𝜎𝑌 times the area 𝐴2 below the
neutral axis. Since the resultant force
acting on the cross section is zero, it
follows that 𝑇 = 𝐶 or 𝐴1 = 𝐴2 .

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Plastic Moment
It can be noticed that under fully plastic
conditions, the neutral axis divides the
cross section into two equal areas such
𝐴
that 𝐴1 = 𝐴2 = 2 , where 𝐴 is the total

area of cross section.

Plastic moment can be obtained by

evaluating the moments about the
neutral axis of the forces 𝐶 and 𝑇.

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Plastic Moment
𝑀𝑃 = 𝐶 × 𝑦1 + 𝑇 × 𝑦2

Since 𝐶 = 𝑇,
𝑀𝑃 = 𝑇 × (𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )

Replacing 𝑇 by 𝜎𝑌 × 𝐴/2,

𝜎𝑌 × 𝐴(𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )
𝑀𝑃 =
2

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Plastic Modulus and Shape Factor

The expression for the plastic moment can be written in a form
similar to that for the yield moment
𝑀𝑃 = 𝜎𝑌 Z
𝐴(𝑦1 +𝑦2 )
Where, 𝑍 = 2
, is the plastic modulus (or the plastic
section modulus) for the cross section. The plastic modulus
may be interpreted as the first moment of the area of the cross
section above the neutral axis plus the first moment of the area
below the neutral axis.

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Plastic Modulus and Shape Factor
The ratio of the 𝑀𝑃 to the 𝑀𝑌 is solely a function of the shape
of the cross section and is called the shape factor 𝑘:
𝑀𝑃 𝑍
𝑘= =
𝑀𝑌 𝑆
This factor is a measure of the reserve strength of the beam
after first yielding begins. It is highest when most of the
material is located near the neutral axis (a solid circular
section), and lowest when most of the material is away from
the neutral axis (a wide-flange section).

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Plastic Modulus and Shape Factor

Consider the properties of a beam of
rectangular cross section when the
material is elastoplastic. The section
modulus of a rectangular section is
𝑆 = 𝑏ℎ2 /6, and the yield moment is
𝜎𝑌 𝑏ℎ2
𝑀𝑌 =
6
in which 𝑏 is the width and ℎ is the
height of the cross section.

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Plastic Modulus and Shape Factor
The distances to the centroids of the
areas above and below the neutral axis
are
ℎ
𝑦1 = 𝑦2 =
4
The plastic modulus is
𝐴(𝑦1 + 𝑦2 )
𝑍=
2
𝑏ℎ ℎ ℎ 𝑏ℎ2
𝑍= + =
2 4 4 4

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Plastic Modulus and Shape Factor

The plastic moment is
𝜎𝑌 𝑏ℎ2
𝑀𝑃 =
4
Finally, the shape factor for a
rectangular cross section is

𝑀𝑃 𝑍 3
𝑘= = = = 1.5
𝑀𝑌 𝑆 2
which means that the plastic moment
for a rectangular beam is 50% greater
than the yield moment.

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Plastic Modulus and Shape Factor
The shape factor for a doubly
symmetric wide-flange beam is
typically in the range from 1.1 to
1.2, depending upon the
proportions of the cross section.

The shape factor for a solid

circular cross section is 1.7.

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Plastic Limit Analysis of Beams

In the plastic limit analysis of members subjected to bending,
it is generally assumed that an abrupt transition from elastic
ideally plastic behaviour occurs at 𝑀𝑃 . Therefore, member
behaviour between 𝑀𝑌 and 𝑀𝑃 is considered to be elastic. It
is further assumed when 𝑀𝑃 is reached, a plastic hinge is
formed in the member. In contrast to a frictionless hinge
permitting free rotation, the plastic hinge allows large
rotations to occur at a constant plastic moment 𝑀𝑃 .

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Plastic Limit Analysis of Beams
By inserting a plastic hinge at a plastic limit load into a
statically determinate beam, a kinematic mechanism
permitting an unbounded displacement of the system can be
formed. This is commonly referred to as the collapse
mechanism. For each degree of static indeterminacy of a
beam, an additional plastic hinge must be added to form a
collapse mechanism. The insertion of plastic hinges must be
such as to obtain a kinematically admissible collapse
mechanism.
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Plastic Limit Analysis of Beams

There are two common methods of plastic limit analysis.
One is based on conventional statics and the other on virtual
work. In either method the bending moments anywhere
along a member cannot exceed the plastic moment 𝑀𝑃 , and
the conditions of equilibrium must always be satisfied.
The procedure for forming kinematically admissible
mechanisms is illustrated in the following examples.

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Formation of Plastic Hinge
Consider a simply supported beam subjected to a
concentrated load 𝑃 at the middle. For any value of 𝑃, the
maximum moment is 𝑀 = 𝑃𝐿/4, and the shape of the
moment diagram is the same regardless of the load
magnitude.

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Formation of Plastic Hinge

If 𝑀 ≤ 𝑀𝑌 , beam behaves elastically. At 𝑀𝑌 , the load at
yield is 𝑃𝑌 = 4𝑀𝑌 /𝐿. When 𝑀𝑌 is exceeded contained
yielding of the beam commences and continues until the
plastic moment 𝑀𝑃 is reached. At this point a plastic hinge
will form at the cross section where the plastic moment
capacity has been achieved as shown in figure. Formation of
plastic hinge will form a collapse mechanism and the load at
this point is the ultimate or collapse load, 𝑃𝑢 = 4𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Formation of Plastic Hinge

𝐿𝑝

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Formation of Plastic Hinge

The length, 𝐿𝑃 , of the plastic region of the beam may be
found using the fact that at each section bounding the region
the bending moment is equal to 𝑀𝑌 . Thus,
𝑃𝑢 𝐿 − 𝐿𝑃
𝑀𝑌 =
2 2
Substituting for 𝑃𝑢
𝑀𝑃
𝑀𝑌 = 𝐿 − 𝐿𝑃
𝐿
Solving for 𝐿𝑃 and using form factor
𝑀𝑌 1
𝐿𝑃 = 𝐿 1 − =𝐿 1−
𝑀𝑃 𝑘

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Formation of Plastic Hinge
For a rectangular section beam 𝑘 =1.5, giving 𝐿𝑃 = 𝐿/3. For
the I-section beam, 𝑘 =1.14 and 𝐿𝑃 = 0.12𝐿. Plastic region in
this case is much smaller than that of a rectangular section
beam.
Plastic hinges form at sections of maximum bending moment
and three simultaneous hinges are needed to form a collapse
mechanism except for the case of cantilever where only one
hinge is needed for forming collapse mechanism.

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Example 1
A concentrated force P is applied at the middle of a simply
supported prismatic beam, as shown in figure. If the beam is
of a ductile material, what is the plastic limit load 𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑡 ?
Obtain the solution using the virtual work method. Consider
only flexural behaviour, i.e., neglect the effect of shear
forces. Neglect beam weight.

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Example 1
An admissible virtual kinematic mechanism assuming a
rigid-plastic beam is shown below

External work (EW) done is 𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑡 × 𝛿∆

Internal work (IW), caused by rotating 𝑀𝑃 through an angle
2𝛿𝜃 is 𝑀𝑃 × 2𝛿𝜃

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Example 1
𝐿𝛿𝜃
From geometry, 𝛿∆= 2

Equating external work done to internal work

𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑡 × 𝛿∆= 𝑀𝑃 × 2𝛿𝜃
Substituting for 𝛿∆

𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑡 × = 𝑀𝑃 × 2𝛿𝜃
2
Solving for 𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑡 ,
𝑃𝑢𝑙𝑡 = 4𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Example 2
A prismatic beam of ductile material, fixed at one end and
simply supported at the other, carries a concentrated force in
the middle, as shown in figure. Determine the plastic limit
load 𝑃𝑢 using (a) the virtual work method and (b) the
equilibrium method. Neglect beam weight.

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Example 2
(a) An admissible virtual kinematic mechanism assuming a
rigid-plastic beam is shown below

External work (EW) = 𝑃𝑢 × 𝛿∆

Internal work (IW), is caused by rotating 𝑀𝑃 through an angle
2𝛿𝜃 at hinge at the centre and through an angle 𝛿𝜃 at the fixed
end.
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Example 2
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 × 𝛿𝜃 +𝑀𝑃 × 2𝛿𝜃= 3𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
𝐿𝛿𝜃
From geometry, 𝛿∆=
2

Equating external work done to internal work

𝑃𝑢 × 𝛿∆= 3𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
Substituting for 𝛿∆
𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝑃𝑢 × = 𝑀𝑃 × 3𝛿𝜃
2
Solving for 𝑃𝑢 ,
𝑃𝑢 = 6𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Example 2
(b) Equilibrium method
The results of an elastic analysis
are shown in figure. The same
results are replotted from
horizontal baseline AB. In both
diagrams, the coloured portions
of the diagrams represent the net
result.

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Example 2
At the limit load, it is necessary
to have a kinematically
admissible mechanism. With the
two plastic hinges and a roller on
the right, this condition is
satisfied as shown in figure.
Collapse mechanism will only be
formed when net positive
moment reaches 𝑀𝑃 .
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Example 2
From the geometric construction
in figure, in the middle of the
span
𝑀𝑃 𝐿
𝑀𝑃 + = 𝑃𝑢 ×
2 4
3𝑀𝑃 𝐿
= 𝑃𝑢 ×
2 4
Solving for 𝑃𝑢 ,
𝑃𝑢 = 6𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Example 3
A prismatic beam of ductile material is loaded as shown in
figure. Using the virtual work method, determine the plastic
limit loads. Neglect weight of the beam.

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Example 3
In this case, several kinematic
displacement mechanisms are
possible, and solution is found by
evaluating all possible
mechanisms. The correct
mechanism is the one where the
assumed virtual displacement
generates a compatible moment
diagram and smallest 𝑃𝑢 .
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Example 3
Mechanism # 1
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃1 × 𝛿∆
𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝛿∆=
4
𝐿𝛿𝜃 𝑃1 𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃1 × =
4 2
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+𝑀𝑃 2𝛿𝜃+𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
= 4𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
𝑃1 𝐿𝛿𝜃
= 4𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
2
𝑃1 = 8𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Example 3
Mechanism # 2
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃2 × 𝛿∆ + 𝑃2 × 2𝛿∆/3
3𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝛿∆=
4
3𝐿𝛿𝜃 𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃2 +
2 2
= 2𝑃2 𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 (3𝛿𝜃+ 4𝛿𝜃)
= 7𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
2𝑃2 𝐿𝛿𝜃 = 7𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
𝑃2 = 3.5 𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Example 3
Mechanism # 3
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃3 × 𝛿∆/2 + 𝑃3 × 𝛿∆
𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝛿∆=
2
𝐿𝛿𝜃 𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃3 +
2 2
= 𝑃3 𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 (𝛿𝜃+ 2𝛿𝜃)
= 3𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
𝑃3 𝐿𝛿𝜃 = 3𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
𝑃3 = 3 𝑀𝑃 /𝐿

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Example 3
Mechanism # 3 is the governing
mechanism as it yields the lowest
𝑃𝑢 .
The moment diagrams for these
mechanisms also confirms the
correct choice of the mechanism,
since the moments at A and C are
each equal to 𝑀𝑃 . Therefore, the
solution is "exact."
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Example 4
A prismatic beam of ductile material, fixed at one end and
simply supported the other, carries a uniformly distributed
load as shown in figure. Find the plastic limit load 𝑤𝑢 using
(a) the equilibrium method and (b) the virtual work method.

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Example 4
(a) Equilibrium method
In this problem, two plastic
hinges are required to create a
collapse mechanism. One of
these hinges is at the fixed end.
The location of the hinge
associated with the maximum
positive moment is not known.

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Example 4

However, one can assume an

admissible mechanism, such
as shown in figure, which is
compatible with the moment
diagram shown in figure.

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Example 4
For purposes of analysis, the
beam with the assumed plastic
hinges is separated into two parts.
It can be noted that no shear is
possible at C, as it is the point of
maximum moment, two
equations of static equilibrium
can be written as:

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Example 4
𝑤𝑢 𝑏 2
෍ 𝑀𝐴 = 0, 𝑀𝑃 − =0
2
2
𝑤𝑢 𝐿 − 𝑏
෍ 𝑀𝐵 = 0, 2𝑀𝑃 − =0
2
Simultaneous solution of these
equations locates the plastic hinge 𝐶 at
𝑏 = ( 2 − 1)𝐿.
Either one of these equations yields the limit load
2𝑀𝑃 2𝑀𝑃 11.66𝑀𝑃
𝑤𝑢 = 2 = 2 =
𝑏 ( 2 − 1)𝐿 𝐿2

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Example 4
(b) Virtual work method
On the average, the uniformly
distributed plastic limit load 𝑤𝑢
goes through a virtual
displacement of 𝛿∆/2.
𝛿∆ 𝑎𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑤𝑢 × 𝐿 × ; 𝛿∆= 𝑎𝛿𝜃 → 𝐸𝑊 = 𝑤𝑢 × 𝐿 ×
2 2

𝑎 𝑎 + 2𝑏
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+ 1 + 𝛿𝜃 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃
𝑏 𝑏

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Example 4
By equating the previous two relations and solving for 𝑤𝑢𝑙𝑡 ,
after some simplifications,
2𝑀𝑃 2𝐿 − 𝑎
𝑤𝑢 =
𝐿 𝐿𝑎 − 𝑎2
The unknown distance 𝑎 can be found by taking a derivative
of 𝑤𝑢𝑙𝑡 with respect to 𝑎 and setting it equal to zero. Thus,
𝑑𝑤𝑢
=0
𝑑𝑎
After carrying out the differentiation and simplifications,
−𝑎2 + 4𝑎𝐿 − 2𝐿2 = 0

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Example 4
By solving this quadratic equation and retaining the root
falling within the span,

𝑎 = 2 − 2 𝐿 and 𝑏 = 𝐿 − 𝑎 = 2− 1 𝐿

Which is the same as before from equilibrium method. 𝑤𝑢𝑙𝑡

is, therefore,
11.66𝑀𝑃
𝑤𝑢 =
𝐿2

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Example 4
If the previous example is
reworked by assuming that a
plastic hinge for a positive
bending moment occurs in the
middle of the span; it can be
shown that,

𝐿𝛿𝜃 1
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑤𝑢 × 𝐿 × × 2 ; 𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+ 2𝛿𝜃 ; and
2

𝑤𝑢 = 12𝑀𝑃 /𝐿2

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Example 4
𝑤𝑢 = 12𝑀𝑃 /𝐿2 , is higher
than the previously found
result. If bending moment
diagram is drawn using this
ultimate load, the maximum
positive moment within the
span exceeds 𝑀𝑃 , which is
not correct.

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Example 5
A prismatic uniformly loaded beam is fixed at both ends, as
shown in figure. (a) Determine the plastic limit load using the
equilibrium method, and (b) the virtual work method.

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Example 5
The maximum bending moments occur at the fixed ends and
are equal to 𝑤𝑜 𝐿2 /12 . The maximum positive moment
develops at the middle of the span and is 𝑤𝑜 𝐿2 /24. The
maximum moment for a simply supported uniformly loaded
beam 𝑤𝑜 𝐿2 /8.

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Example 5
Therefore, to obtain the
limit load in fixed ended
beam, this quantity must be
equated to 2𝑀𝑃 , with 𝑤𝑜 =
𝑤𝑢 .
Hence,
𝑤𝑢 𝐿2
= 2𝑀𝑃
8
𝑤𝑢 = 16𝑀𝑃 /𝐿2

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Example 5
Because of symmetry, the
precise location of the plastic
hinges is as shown in figure.
By writing a virtual work
equation, we have
𝐿𝛿𝜃 1
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑤𝑢 × 𝐿 × ×2;
2

𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+ 2𝛿𝜃 + 𝛿𝜃 ;
𝑤𝑢 = 16𝑀𝑃 /𝐿2

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32
Continuous Beams and Frames
The procedures discussed in the Preceding section, and
illustrated by examples, can be extended to the simpler cases
for plastic limit analysis of continuous beams and frames.
Usually, the kinematic mechanisms in continuous beams,
associated with a collapse mode, occur locally in only one
beam.

65 | MOS-II

Continuous Beams and Frames

For the two-span continuous beam shown in figure, the plastic
moment at the middle support is limited to 𝑀𝑃 (𝑚𝑖𝑛) of the

smaller beam. Then, whether the kinematic mechanism would

develop in the right or the left span depends on the relative
beam sizes as well as the magnitudes of the applied loads.
Plastic limit analysis of frames may become rather complex as
the number of members, joints, and different loading
conditions increases.

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Continuous Beams and Frames
Number of Independent Mechanisms
In order to find the correct mechanism that yield the lowest
ultimate load, it is necessary to identify all possible
independent mechanisms for the structure. An independent
mechanism is one which has no dependency on others.
For a continuous beam, it is very simple to identify them and
find the true collapse load from these independents
mechanisms.

67 | MOS-II

Continuous Beams and Frames

However, for a frame-type structure (as will be shown later),
the correct mechanism is not easy to identify. Independent
mechanisms are combined to find the correct mechanism.
No. of independent mechanisms can be determined by the
following simple formula:
𝑀 =𝑁−𝑋
Where,
𝑀 = 𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑚𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑠𝑚𝑠
𝑁 = 𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑜𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑐 ℎ𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠
𝑋 = 𝑁𝑜. 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑎𝑛𝑡𝑠 (𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔)
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34
Continuous Beams and Frames
𝑁=2
𝑋=1
𝑀 =2−1=1

𝑁=4
𝑋=2
𝑀 =4−2=2

𝑁=5
𝑋=2
1 3 5
2 4 𝑀 =5−2=3

69 | MOS-II

Example 6

𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃𝑢 × − 𝑀𝛿𝜃
2
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+ 2𝛿𝜃 ;
𝐿 6𝑀𝑃 2𝑀
3𝑀𝑃 = 𝑃𝑢 × − 𝑀 → 𝑃𝑢 = +
2 𝐿 𝐿

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35
Example 7
𝑁 = 4; 𝑋 = 2; 𝑀 = 2
Mechanism # 1
3𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃1 ×
8
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 2𝛿𝜃+𝛿𝜃
8𝑀𝑃
𝑃1 =
𝐿
Mechanism # 2
𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃2 ×
3
3𝛿𝜃 𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+ 2 + 2

𝑃2 = 9𝑀𝑃 /2𝐿

71 | MOS-II

Example 8

𝑁 = 4; 𝑋 = 1;
𝑀=3

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36
Example 8
Mechanism # 1
𝐿𝛿𝜃 𝐿 𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃1 × + 1.5𝑃1 × ×
3 3 2
𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 1.5𝛿𝜃+ 2
3.5𝑃1 𝐿 12𝑀𝑃 𝑀𝑃
2𝑀𝑃 = → 𝑃1 = = 3.42
6 3.5𝐿 𝐿
Mechanism # 2
𝐿𝛿𝜃 𝐿
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃2 × + 1.5𝑃2 × × 2𝛿𝜃
3 3
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 3𝛿𝜃+2𝛿𝜃
4𝑃2 𝐿 15𝑀𝑃 𝑀𝑃
5𝑀𝑃 = → 𝑃2 = = 3.75
3 4𝐿 𝐿
73 | MOS-II

Example 8
Mechanism # 3
Second span is similar to beam of Example 4, therefore, result
of Example 4 can be used directly here.

11.66𝑀𝑃 3𝑃3 11.66𝑀𝑃

𝑤𝑢 = → =
𝐿2 𝐿 𝐿2
𝑀𝑃
𝑃3 = 3.89
𝐿
𝑴𝑷
Mechanism # 1 governs → 𝑷𝒖 = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟐 𝑳

74 | MOS-II

37
Example 9 (Equilibrium Method)

75 | MOS-II

Example 9 (Equilibrium Method)

Span AB
𝑀𝑃 3𝑃𝑢 𝐿
𝑀𝑃 + =
2 16
3𝑀𝑃 3𝑃𝑢 𝐿
=
2 16
𝑃𝑢 = 8𝑀𝑃 /𝐿
Span BC
2𝑀𝑃 4𝑃𝑢 𝐿
3𝑃𝑢 𝐿 𝑀𝑃 𝑀𝑃 4𝑃𝑢 𝐿 2𝑀𝑃 𝑀𝑃 + =
− − 3 9
16 2 9 3
5𝑀𝑃 4𝑃𝑢 𝐿
=
3 9
15𝑀𝑃 3.75𝑀𝑃
𝑃𝑢 = =
4𝐿 𝐿
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38
Example 10 (Equilibrium Method)

77 | MOS-II

Example 10 (Equilibrium Method)

At point B
2𝑀𝑃 11𝑃𝑢 𝐿 5𝑀𝑃 11𝑃𝑢 𝐿 5𝑀𝑃
𝑀𝑃 + = → = → 𝑃𝑢 =
3 3 3 3 11𝐿
At point C
𝑀𝑃 10𝑃𝑢 𝐿 4𝑀𝑃 10𝑃𝑢 𝐿
𝑀𝑃 + = → = → 𝑃𝑢 = 2𝑀𝑃 /5𝐿
3 3 3 3
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39
Plane Frames
True collapse mechanism of a rigid plane frame may involve
combination of independent mechanisms. It is, therefore,
necessary to identify all possible independent mechanisms
using 𝑀 = 𝑁 − 𝑋.

79 | MOS-II

Plane Frames
10 11 12 𝑁 = 12; 𝑋 = 6; 𝑀 = 6
4 5 7 9 2- Beam mechanism
3 6 8 2- Sway mechanism
1 2
2- Joint rotations

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40
Plane Frames
Joint rotation mechanisms themselves have no meaning,
i.e., no external work is associated with them, but they play
a role in combined mechanisms by cancelling out hinges as
will be shown later.
For plane frames, all members are subjected to moment and
axial forces. In the following discussion only moments will
be considered for finding out collapse mechanisms.

81 | MOS-II

Example 11
Determine the ultimate load for the plane frame shown in
figure. Assume all members have same moment capacity
𝑀𝑃 .

𝑁 = 3; 𝑋 = 1; 𝑀 = 2
1- Beam mechanism
1- Sway mechanism
1- Combined mechanism
(Beam + Sway)

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41
 Example 11
Beam Mechanism
𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃1 ×
2
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 + 2𝛿𝜃+𝛿𝜃
4𝑀𝑃
𝑃1 =
𝐿
Sway Mechanism
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃2 × 𝐻𝛿𝜃

𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 + 𝛿𝜃
2𝑀𝑃
𝑃2 =
𝐻

83 | MOS-II

Example 11 Combined Mechanism

Objective in combining the
mechanisms is to remove
or cancel hinges so that the
net internal work done is
less, thus producing lower
value of 𝑃𝑢 .
Lowest value of 𝑃𝑢 from
𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃3 × + 𝑃3 × 𝐻𝛿𝜃 beam, sway and combined
2 mechanism is the correct
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 2𝛿𝜃+2𝛿𝜃
value of 𝑃𝑢 and the
4𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 = 𝑃3 𝐿𝛿𝜃 + 𝑃3 × 𝐻𝛿𝜃
4𝑀𝑃 corresponding mechanism
𝑃3 = is the correct collapse
𝐻+𝐿
mechanism.
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42
Example 12
Consider a rigid jointed planar
frame of ductile material fixed at
𝐴 and pinned at 𝐸, and loaded as
shown. All members are of the
same size and can develop full
𝑁 = 4; 𝑋 = 2; 𝑀 = 2
𝑀𝑃 , i.e., the effect of the axial
1- Beam mechanism
forces on 𝑀𝑃 can be neglected.
1- Sway mechanism
Determine the plastic limit loads.
1- Combined mechanism

85 | MOS-II

Example 12
Beam Mechanism
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃1 × 𝑎𝛿𝜃
3𝛿𝜃 𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 + 2 + 2
3𝑀𝑃
𝑃1 =
𝑎
Sway Mechanism
𝑃2
𝐸𝑊 = × 2𝑎𝛿𝜃
2

𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 + 𝛿𝜃 + 2𝛿𝜃
4𝑀𝑃
𝑃2 =
𝑎
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43
Example 12
Combined Mechanism
𝑃3
𝐸𝑊 = 𝑃3 × 𝑎𝛿𝜃 + × 2𝑎𝛿𝜃
2
3𝛿𝜃 𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+ 2 + 2 + 2𝛿𝜃
5𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 = 2𝑃3 × 𝑎𝛿𝜃
5𝑀𝑃
𝑃3 =
2𝑎
5𝑀𝑃 2.5𝑀𝑃
𝑃𝑢 = =
2𝑎 𝑎

87 | MOS-II

Example 13
Determine the ultimate load for the two-bay plane frame
shown in figure. Moment capacity of the beams is twice the
moment capacity of columns.

𝑁 = 10; 𝑋 = 6; 𝑀 = 4
2- Beam mechanism
1- Sway mechanism
1- Joint rotation

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44
Example 13
Beam Mechanism 1
𝐿
𝐸𝑊 = 4𝑃1 × 𝛿𝜃
2
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃) + 2𝑀𝑃 (2𝛿𝜃+𝛿𝜃
7𝑀𝑃 3.5𝑀𝑃
𝑃1 = =
2𝐿 𝐿
Beam Mechanism 2
𝐿
𝐸𝑊 = 5𝑃2 × 𝛿𝜃
2
𝐼𝑊 = 2𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃+2𝛿𝜃) + 𝑀𝑃 (𝛿𝜃
14𝑀𝑃 2.8𝑀𝑃
𝑃2 = =
5𝐿 𝐿

89 | MOS-II

Example 13
Sway Mechanism
𝐸𝑊 = 2𝑃3 × 0.6𝐿𝛿𝜃
𝐼𝑊 = 𝑀𝑃 6𝛿𝜃

6𝑀𝑃 5𝑀𝑃
𝑃3 = =
1.2𝐿 𝐿

Joint rotation
No work done

90 | MOS-II

45
Example 13
Combined Mechanism (2+3+4)
By adding mechanisms 2, 3 and 4,
two hinges are cancelled (one in
middle column, one in RHS beam)
but one hinge is formed in LHS
beam. Net change is one hinge less.
𝐿
𝐸𝑊 = 5𝑃4 × 𝛿𝜃 + 2𝑃4 × 0.6𝐿𝛿𝜃
2
𝐼𝑊 = 7𝑀𝑃 (𝛿𝜃) +5𝑀𝑃 (𝛿𝜃)
12𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 = 3.7𝑃4 𝐿𝛿𝜃 → 𝑃4 = 12𝑀𝑃 /3.7𝐿

91 | MOS-II

Example 13
Combined Mechanism (1+2+3+4)
By adding mechanisms 1, 2, 3 and
4, two hinges are cancelled (one in
left column, one in middle
column).
𝐿 𝐿
𝐸𝑊 = 4𝑃5 × 𝛿𝜃 + 5𝑃5 × 𝛿𝜃 + 2𝑃5 × 0.6𝐿𝛿𝜃
2 2
𝐼𝑊 = 6𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 + 7𝑀𝑃 (𝛿𝜃) +4𝑀𝑃 (𝛿𝜃)
17𝑀𝑃 𝛿𝜃 = 5.7𝑃5 𝐿𝛿𝜃 → 𝑃5 = 17𝑀𝑃 /5.7𝐿
𝑷𝒖 = 𝟐. 𝟖𝑴𝑷 /𝑳 (From RHS beam)

92 | MOS-II

46