CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES CAT 2: ANSWER MODEL

MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND BUILT ENVIRONMENT
DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL AND STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING
CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES 2022/2023 CAT II: ANSWER MODEL
QUESTION ONE
State and briefly explain factors affecting plastic moment in structures. (6Mks)
SOLUTION
(a) Variation of the yield stress
According to the simple theory,
    , so that any factors which affect the yield stress,  , will equally
affect the plastic moment,
 . Firstly, the yield stress of steel is strongly dependent on metallurgical factors,
namely the chemical composition and heat treatment. Secondly, the rate of loading: it has been established
experimentally that the yield stress can be increased by about 13% at the highest strain rate used in the tests.
Thirdly, the strain ageing: if a tensile specimen is subjected to a load which causes some degree of plastic
strain, it is found that after a fairly considerable length of time at ambient temperature the yield point for a
further loading in the same sense is increased. This phenomenon of strain-ageing is accelerated considerably
if the temperature is raised.
(b) Reduction of MP due to axial load
When a structural member is subjected to axial load (tension or compression) in addition to moment, the fully
plastic moment will be reduced since some strength is used up in resisting the axial force. The reduced plastic
moment is known as MRP.
The amount by which Mp is reduced depends on the shape of the cross-section and the magnitude of the axial
force.
(c) Reduction of MP due to shear force
A cantilever of length 2L carrying a uniformly distributed load F would have the same local situation at the
clamped end of a shear force F and a bending moment FL. However, the collapse value of F must in each case
be derived by considering conditions throughout the full length of the cantilever, and there is not a priori reason
for supposing that the collapse load would be found in both cases.
Despite of this, it is common practice to present the results of shear force analyses as an interaction relation
between shear force and plastic moment. This cannot be strictly justified, but fortunately the effects of shear
force are generally small in practical cases.
(d) Contact stresses beneath loads
Model tests are often carried out on simply supported beams of rectangular cross-section, subjected to either
a central concentrated load or symmetrical two-point loading. For beams of similar section and material, the
plastic moment is usually observed to be somewhat higher when central concentrated loading is imposed.
QUESTION TWO
Yield line is a term used in plastic analysis of slabs.
a) Define the term “yield line”. (2Mks)
b) State any FIVE (5) assumptions used in the postulation of yield lines. (5Mks)
c) Postulate the yield line patters for the following slabs. (5Mks)

(i) (ii)

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CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES CAT 2: ANSWER MODEL

SOLUTION
a) Yield lines are the crack propagations (zones of yielding) in reinforced concrete slabs.
b) Assumptions in postulation of yield lines.
(i) Yield lines must be straight;
(ii) A yield line can only change direction at an intersection with another yield line;
(iii) Yield lines end at a slab boundary;
(iv) Yield line or yield lines separating two slab elements must pass through the intersection of their axes
of rotation. It is noted that this may be at infinity;
(v) Axes of rotation generally lie along lines of supports and pass over any columns; and
(vi) All reinforcement intercepted by a yield line is assumed to yield at the line.
ANY 5X1=5MKS
c) Postulation of yield lines

(ii)

(i)

QUESTION THREE
A rectangular slab shown in Figure Q3 measuring L and αL is simply supported on two parallel edges measuring
L and free on the remaining edges is subjected to a uniformly distributed load of w kN/m per m run. The slab
is isotropically reinforced. Find the ultimate moment of resistance of the slab. (12Mks)

αL m

L
Figure Q3

SOLUTION
Postulate the yield lines.
δ
c d

αL(1-β) ϴB
αL b e
βαL ϴA
a
f
L

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CSE 312: PLASTIC ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURES CAT 2: ANSWER MODEL

Let the yield line form at a location βαL from the supported edge af of the slab. At the point of collapse, give the
yield line eb a virtual displacement.
.
. .   Load  Surface area of slab  Virtual displacement of centroid of slab
&
 #  $%  % 
'

I.V.W.D = (Plastic moment per unit length) x Length of yield line x Virtual rotation of yield line
 (  %  )* + ), 
From principle of virtual work:
&
#  $%  %   (  %  )* + ), 
'

- & &
#$%' .  (% / + 4
' 012 12 -30

- - -
#$ ' %'  ( / + -304
' 0

-
( #$ ' %' 5 1 7 5
'

For maximum m,
89
0
80

89 -
 #$ ' %' 7 #$ ' %' 5  0
80 '

-
Thus, 5
'

- - - ;1 < 2<
Hence, ( #$ ' %'   
' ' ' =

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