CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES

LECTURE 3: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

3.1. COLLAPSE MECHANISM OF FRAMES

From previous lecture, it was noted that in the case of beams, identification of the critical
spans (i.e. in terms of Mp) can usually be solved quite readily by using the kinematic
method and considering simple beam mechanisms. In the case of frames, other types of
mechanisms, such as sway, joint and gable mechanisms are also considered.
Two basic types of independent mechanism are shown in Figure 3.1 (a) and (b).

(a) Beam mechanism (b) Sway mechanism (c) Combined mechanism

Figure 3.1: Mechanisms in rigid frames

Each of these collapse mechanisms can occur independently of each other. It is also
possible for a critical collapse mechanism to develop which is a combination of the
independent ones such as the one indicated in Figure 3.1 (c).
It is necessary to consider all possible combinations to identify the critical collapse mode.
The Mp value is determined for each independent mechanism and then combined
mechanisms are evaluated to establish a maximum value of Mp. The purpose of combining
mechanisms is to eliminate sufficient hinges which exist in the independent mechanisms,
leaving only the minimum number required in the resulting combination to induce
collapse.
It is necessary when carrying out a kinematic solution, to draw the bending moment
diagram to ensure that at no point the Mp value determined, is exceeded.

Example 3.1:
An asymmetric uniform, frame is pinned at supports A and G and is subjected to a system
of factored loads as shown in Figure E3.1. Determine the required plastic moment of
resistance Mp of the section.
34kN

1.5m 21kN C D E
B 3m
1.5m 21kN
A F
3m

G
4m 4m

Figure E3.1: Rigid jointed frame.

LECTURER: DR. B. OMONDI 2019/2020 1
CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES
LECTURE 3: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

Solution:
Possible mechanisms
Number of degrees of indeterminacy, ID =1
Number of possible hinge positions P =5 (B, C, D, E, F)
Number of independent mechanisms = P - ID = 5 -1 = 4 (Three beam mechanisms and
one sway mechanism)

Consider each mechanism independently

Mechanism (i): Beam ABC
ߜ 34kN Internal work is done at all hinge
C positions
1.5m 21kN θ D E No internal work is done at support A
θ
B 3m
 1.5
1.5m θ
θ 21kN
A F Applying the principle of virtual work:
3m   

211.5   2  
G
  10.5 kNm
4m 4m

Mechanism (ii): Beam CDE

34kN
 4
C E Applying the principle of virtual work:
D
1.5m 21kN θ θ   

ߜ
B θ θ 3m 344     2  
1.5m 
A F   34 kNm
21kN
3m

G
4m 4m

Mechanism (iii): Beam EFG

34kN ߜ
 3
C E Note that there is no internal work
D
1.5m 21kN done at support G
B θ
θ
3m Applying the principle of virtual work:
1.5m 21kN
A F   

θ
θ 3m 213   2  
  21 kNm
G
4m 4m

LECTURER: DR. B. OMONDI 2019/2020 2

CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES
LECTURE 3: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

Mechanism (iv): Sway mechanism

ߜ 34kN ߜ
 3  6 ∴   0.5
E
  1.5 and
  3  1.5
C D
1.5m 21kN ߜ1 Note that there is no internal work
θ
ߚ 3m done at supports A and G
1.5m Bθ
21kN ߜ2
A F Applying the principle of virtual work:
ߚ
3m   

21
  21
     
G
211.5  211.5     0.5
4m 4m
  42 kNm

Combinations:
Considering the independent mechanisms, their associated work equations and Mp
values, it is evident from inspection of the collapse mechanisms that the hinges located at
C and E can be eliminated since in some cases the rotation is negative whilst in others it
is positive. The minimum number of hinges to induce total collapse is one more than the
number of redundancies, i.e. (ID+1) = 2 and therefore the independent mechanisms
should be combined to try and achieve this and at the same time maximize the associated
Mp value.
It is unlikely that mechanism (i) will be included in the failure mechanism since its
associated Mp value is relatively small compared to the others. It is necessary to
investigate several possibilities and confirm the resulting solution by checking that the
bending moments do not exceed the plastic moment of resistance at any section.

Combination 1: Mechanism (v) = [(ii) + (iv)]

When combining these mechanisms, the hinge at C will be eliminated and the resulting
Mp value can be determined by adding the work equations. It is necessary to allow for the
removal of the hinge at C in the internal work done since in each equation an (Mpθ) term
has been included, but the hinge no longer exists. A total of 2Mp must therefore be
subtracted from the resulting internal work, i.e.
E   

C
Mechanisms (ii): 36  4 
D
B Mechanisms (iv): 63  1.5 
A F
Less 2Mp for eliminated hinge 2 
199  3.5 
∴   56.86 kNm
G

Mechanism (v)

LECTURER: DR. B. OMONDI 2019/2020 3

 CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES
LECTURE 3: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

It is possible that this is the true collapse mechanism, however this would have to be
confirmed as indicated above by satisfying conditions (ii) and (iii):
Combination 2: Mechanism (vi) = [(iii) + (v)]
An alternative solution is also possible where the hinges at C and E are eliminated, this
can be achieved if mechanism (v) is combined with mechanism (iii).
In mechanism (v) β=0.5θ (see the sway calculation above) and hence the total rotation
at joint E=−(θ+β) = −1.5θ. If this hinge is to be eliminated then the combinations of
mechanisms (iii) and (v) must be in the proportions of 1.5:1.0. (Note: when developing
mechanism (v) the proportions were 1:1).
The total value of the internal work for the eliminated hinge=(2×1.5Mp) = 3.0Mp, i.e.
  

C E
Mechanisms 1.5 x (iii): 94.5  4.5 
D
B Mechanisms (v): 199  3.5 
+2θ -3θ
A F Less 3Mp for eliminated hinge 3 
293.5  5 
∴   58.7 kNm
G

Mechanism (vi)

The +ve rotation indicates tension inside the frame at point D and the −ve rotation
indicates tension outside the frame at point F.
This is marginally higher than the previous value and since there does not appear to be
any other obvious collapse mechanism, this result should be checked as follows:
34kN
D
1.5m 21kN C E
3m

B 58.7kNm
1.5m 58.7kNm
HA F 21kN
A
3m

58.7kNm
VA
G HG
4m 4m
VG

Considering the equilibrium of the frame between F and G:

∑   58.7  !" 3  0 ∴ !"  19.57kN
Considering the equilibrium of the frame on the right-hand side at D:
∑   58.7  213  19.57 6  #" 4  0 ∴ #"  28.28kN
Considering the equilibrium of the complete frame:
∑ $%  #&  34  28.28  0 ∴ #&  5.72kN MB
∑ $'  !&  21  21  19.57  0 ∴ !&  22.43kN 21kN
B
Bending moment at B: ∑ (  (  22.43 1.5  0 1.5m
HA
A
∴ (  33.65kNm ) 
VA

LECTURER: DR. B. OMONDI 2019/2020 4

CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES
LECTURE 3: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES
MC

Bending moment at C: ∑ *  *  211.5  22.43 3  0 1.5m 21kN C

B
∴ *  35.79kNm )  1.5m
HA
A

ME VA
E
Bending moment at E: ∑ +  +  213  19.57 6  0

3m
∴ +  54.42kNm ) 
F 21kN

3m
G HG

VG
The resulting collapse bending moment diagram is as shown
54.42kNm
35.79kNm
54.42kNm
35.79kNm
33.65kNm
58.7kNm
(=MP) 58.7kNm
(=MP)

Collapse bending moment diagram

The three conditions indicated in Lecture 1 have been satisfied: i.e.:

Mechanism condition: minimum number of hinges required = (ID+1) = 2 hinges.
Equilibrium condition: the internal moments are in equilibrium with the collapse loads.
Yield condition: the bending moment does not exceed Mp anywhere in the frame.

Exercise 3.2:
For rigid-jointed frames shown in Figures E3.2 to E 3.4 in which the relative Mp values and the
applied collapse loads are given, determine the required Mp value, the value of the support
reactions and sketch the bending moment diagrams.

60kN

D
B MP C

4m
MP

A
2m 2.5m 2.5m

Figure E3.2: Rigid jointed frame.

LECTURER: DR. B. OMONDI 2019/2020 5

CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES
LECTURE 3: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF FRAMES

Figure E3.3 Figure E3.4

Figure E3.5

LECTURER: DR. B. OMONDI 2019/2020 6