YIELD LINE THEORY

Analysis and design of solid slab provided in IS: 456 -2000 is essentially based on elastic behavior
without considering the inelastic nature of the of deformation .Therefore there is inconsistency of
combining the elastic moment and limit state procedure . Elastic solutions are available for simple
geometry and boundary conditions and safe and conservative.

Advanced ultimate load method which provides the realistic failure load of RCC slab based on the
inelastic behavior prior to the failure is available . This method is called Yield line method of analysis
and design. This method not restricted to any boundary condition, complexity of the shape and load
combination. Yield lines are line along which failure of section takes place as moment approaches to
yield moment and divides the slab in to segments which rotate about the supports. Segments of the
slab rotate like plastic hinges as in case of steel frame. Plastic hinges which are assumed to form along
yield line rotate essentially at a constant moment which can be taken as Ultimate moment for all
practical purpose . Thus the yield line method provides the ultimate load which is under reinforced and
it is a ultimate or limit design method .

Yield lines are called fracture line , rupture line or failure line.

This method is restricted to uniform thickness . uniformly reinforced in each of the two mutually
perpendicular directions.

Yield pattern

(a ) one way slab

For a slab supported ob two opposite edges , yield nine is shown in figure , If slab is supporting the
uniformly distributed load maximum positive BM/ meter width is wl2/8 and it will occur at mid span.
Therefore yield line is formed at mid span parallel to the support line .

For a one way slab fixed at supporting edges Maximum positive Bending moment/ unit width is
wl2/24 at mid span and maximum negative moment is wl2/12 formed along support line. Thus
positive yield line is formed at mid span parallel to support line and negative yield line is formed along
support line.

L/2 Yield Line L/2 (+)Yield Line

(-) Yield Line

L L
Real hinge Plastic hinge

Plastic hinge Plastic hinge

One way slab simple edge One way slab fixed edge
Two Way slab

Yield Line Yield Line

L L

Yield Line Development of yield line in two way rectangular slab

Yield Line Yield Line

L L

Development Yield Line in square two way slab

Characteristics of yield line

( a ) yield lines are straight lines so that they may act as plastic hinge of collapse mechanism

( b ) Yield lines act as axis of rotation for movement of adjoining segments

( c ) Yield lines terminate at slab boundary or at intersection of other yield lines

( d ) Each of the segment of the slab will tend to rotate in a rigid body motion. The axis of rotation
generally lie along lines of supports and pass over the columns

( e ) If an edge is fixed or continuous a yield nine may form along the support.

( f ) Mechanism to develop yield nines or yield line produced pass through the intersection of axis of
rotation of adjacent slab element.

Symbols

Free or unsupported edge

Simple supported edge or support
Fixed or continuous edge or support
Positive yield line
Negative yield line
Axis line
Beam support
Column
Concentrate load

Distribution of reinforcement

Yield line analysis is simplified to great extent by providing a mesh type reinforcement which is
constant throughout the slab .That is steel ratio along the along a given line is constant. Following are
commonly used slabs of constant along any given line

Isotropically reinforced slab

If the reinforcement in both ways are same in a slab , it is called isotropically reinforced slab

In this case the ultimate flexural moment about two mutually perpendicular lines of the slab are
same , Orthotropically reinforced slab

If the reinforcement in both ways are not same in a slab , it is called orthotropically reinforced slab

In this case the ultimate flexural moment about two mutually perpendicular lines of the slab are not
same
Ultimate load capacity

There are two methods to determine the ultimate load capacity of the slab

( a ) virtual work method

Virtual work method is based on the principle of virtual work

If a deformable structure in equilibrium under the action of a system of external force is subjected to a
virtual deformation compatible with support condition, The work done by external forces on virtual
displacement is equal to work done by the internal stress on the strain associated with deformation

Thus external work done under virtual displacement = Internal work done in rotation along the yield
line.

It is noted that elastic deformation is ignored as it is small enough in comparison to plastic

deformation.

( b ) Equilibrium method

Collapse load is calculate from equilibrium of forces in individual segment of slab

Following points may be noted

( 1) Both virtual work method and equilibrium method provides upper bound solution for collapse load

That is collapse load found based on assumed yield line pattern is bound to the larger than the actual
collapse load

(2 ) Hence it is essential to examine several yield line pattern and minimum value of collapse load has
be obtained .

(3 ) Test results have shown the actual collapse loads for slabs are large than the value obtained by yield
line analysis.

(4) Therefore the results of yield line analysis can be used in design with reasonable degree of safety.

(5) Twisting moments are not considered when entire slab is considered , its effect is cancelled out.

Analysis by virtual work method

Work done by external force = work done by internal forces ( energy absorbed by hinges= Yield
Moment x rotation)

WE = work done by external forces

Wi = work done by internal forces

If wu = ultimate loa uniformly distributed external load

 W E=∬ w u δ x , y dx dy=∑ W u ∆

Where δx,y = Virtual displacement at any point

Wu = resultant load at each segment

Δ = corresponding displacement at centroid of the load in each segment

Muαn = Ultimate moment across the yield line

Θn = Relatibe rotation of two adjacent plates Perpendicular to yield line

And lo = length of the yield line

W i =∑ M uαn θn l o

Equating external work done with internal work done

∑ W u ∆=∑ M uαn θn l o
Orthopically reinforced rectangular slab simple supported on 4 edges
A B
θy
II Y
Mux=μMu
E F δ
αL II III
Muy=Mu
IV
X
θy

L C L
D
βL (1-2β)L βL
δ

θx θx

L = Long span length

αL = Short span length

θy = rotation in Y direction =δ/(αL/2)=2δ/αL

θx = rotation in X direction=δ/βL

Mux =μMu Moment in X direction and Muy =Mu moment in Y direction

Calculation of internal work done

Segment AED = Mux Yo θy + Muy Xo θy = μMu .αL .δ/βL + 0 = μMu .αL .δ/βL

Segment ABFE = Mux Yo θy + Muy Xo θy =0+Mu.L . 2δ/αL = Mu.L . 2δ/αL

Segment BCF = Mux Yo θy + Muy Xo θy = μMu .αL .δ/βL + 0 = μMu .αL .δ/βL

Segment ABFE DEFC= Mux Yo θy + Muy Xo θy =0+Mu.L . 2δ/αL = Mu.L . 2δ/Αl

Total internal work done ΣMuμn.θn.Lo= μMu .αL .δ/Βl+ Mu.L . 2δ/αL+ μMu .αL .δ/βL+ Mu.L . 2δ/Αl

=2δ[2Mu/α+αμMu/β] ------------------------------1

Calculation of external work done

Segment AED =Wu Δ= ( αL/2 ) (βL) (wu )(δ/3)=αβL 2 δ .wu/6

Segment ABFE = Wu Δ=2[( αL/2 ) (βL/2)wu δ/3]+(1-2β)L ( αL/2 ) wu δ/2

= αβL2 δ .wu/6+(1-2β) αL2 wu δ/4

Segment BCF =Wu Δ= ( αL/2 ) (βL) (wu )(δ/3)=αβL 2 δ .wu/6

Segment CDEF = Wu Δ=2[( αL/2 ) (βL/2)wu δ/3]+(1-2β)L ( αL/2 ) wu δ/2

= αβL2 δ .wu/6+(1-2β) αL2 wu δ/4

Total internal work done ΣWΔ

= αβL2 δ .wu/6+ αβL2 δ .wu/6+(1-2β) αL2 wu δ/4+ αβL2 δ .wu/6+ αβL2 δ .wu/6+(1-2β) αL2 wu δ/4

=δ wu L2 α(3-2β)/6 -------------------------2

We = Wi

2δ[2Mu/α+αμMu/β]= δwu L2 α(3-2β)/6

2 Mu δ[2/α+αμ/β]= δwu L2 α(3-2β)/6

Mu = (wu α2L2/12) [(3β-2β2)/(2β+μα2)]----3

For Mu to be minimum dMu/dx = 0

[(3β-2β2)/(2β+μα2)]=( 3-4β)/2

= 6β-4β2=6β+3μα2 -8β2 4μβα2

=4β2+4μα2β-3μα2=0

1
β=
2
[ √ μ2 α 4 + 3 μ α 2−μ α 2 ] -----------------4

Putting in equation -3

w u α 2 L2 2
M u= [ √3+ μ α 2−α √ μ ] ------------------------5
24

For Isotropically reinforced square slab α =1 and μ=1

w u 12 L2 2
2 w u 12 L 2
M u= [ √3+1 ×1 −1 √ 1 ] = ---------------------6
24 24

For Isotropically reinforced rectangular slab μ=1

w u α 2 L2 2
M u= [ √3+ α2−α ] ----------------------------------------7
24

Orthotropical slab with four edges fixed or continuous

θ= 2δ/L2

δ Y Mu1 K2Mu2
L2
Mu2
K1Mu1

L1 X
βL (1-2β)L βL

θ =δ/βL
δ