Advanced Reinforced

Concrete
BEC 411

Lesson 2
Yield Lines Theory
Objectives

Know yield line

Virtual work method
Introduction
Analysis approach for determining the
ultimate load capacity of RC slabs.
Was pioneered by K.W. Johansen in the
1940s.
Closely related to the plastic collapse or
limit analysis of steel frames.
Introduction continue

Only applicable to ductile (under-reinforced) slabs since we

assume that the following moment-rotation diagram holds.

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Introduction continue

A yield line occurs when the moment

capacity of the section has been
reached.
No additional moment can be taken at
the section.
The section can undergo any amount of
rotation.

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Introduction continue

EC2 allows yield line analysis provided

the ratio, x/d, is sufficiently low.
BS8110 does not allow yield line unless
results are ‘similar’ to those from a
linear elastic method.

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Introduction continue

Advantages of Yield Line over Linear

Elastic Analysis:
 Simpler to use (computer not necessary)
 Linear elastic only tells you when first yield
occurs. Y.L. gives the ultimate capacity of
the slab - what it takes to cause collapse;
 Helps understanding of ultimate behaviour;
 Good for awkward shapes.
Introduction continue

Disadvantages are:
 Requires experience to know a likely failure
mechanism;
 Dangerous designs are possible without
checking or experience;
 Does not give an idea of slab behaviour in
service.
Introduction continue
Yield Line Basis
Yield line analysis proceeds as:
 Assume a collapse mechanism by choosing
a pattern of yield lines;
 Calculate the load factor corresponding to
that yield line pattern;
 Repeat for a range of yield line patterns;
 Actual failure occurs at the lowest collapse
load factor.
Conventions
Sagging yield lines are solid wavy lines.
Hogging yield lines are dashed straight
lines.
A fixed support is indicated by double
hatching.
A simple support is given by single line
hatching.
A free edge is given by a straight line.
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Rules for Yield Lines
Yield lines divide the slab into rigid
regions which remain plane through the
collapse.
Yield lines are straight.
Axes of rotation generally lie along lines
of support and pass over any columns.

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Rules for Yield Lines continue

Yield lines between adjacent rigid

regions must pass through the point of
intersection of the axes of rotation of
those regions.
Yield lines must end at a slab boundary.
Continuous supports repel and a simple
supports attract yield lines.

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Rules for Yield Lines continue

Relate the rules to the following patterns:

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Rules for Yield Lines continue

Relate the rules to the following patterns:

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Rules for Yield Lines continue

Relate the rules to the following patterns:

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Moment Axis Notation
Moment Axis Notation continue

So from the diagram, reinforcement in

the x-direction provides a moment
capacity of mx parallel to the y-axis.
Thus any yield line parallel to the y-axis
will be opposed by x-direction
reinforcement and hence the mx
capacity of the slab.
The same goes for y-direction opposed
by my capacity of the slab.
Moment Capacity at an
Arbitrary Angle
We examine the case of an orthotropic
slab (different moment capacities in
different orthogonal directions). This is
usual for reinforced concrete slabs.
Isotropic slabs are a particular case in
which mx = my .
Thus, we will have moment capacity per
metre, mx on the x-face and moment
capacity per metre, my on the y-face:
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Moment Capacity at an
Arbitrary Angle
continue
Moment Capacity at an
Arbitrary Angle continue

The moment capacity in any other

direction, α, is got by looking at the
following:

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Moment Capacity at an
Arbitrary Angle continue

And in plan it looks like:

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Moment Capacity at an
Arbitrary Angle continue

Resolving vectors:

Thus:

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Johansen’s Stepped Yield
Line Criterion
Basic assumption of yield line theory. It
assumes that during the rotation the
bars remain in their original direction
and do not ‘kink’. It is also valid for
slabs that are not of reinforced
concrete.
Johansen’s Stepped Yield
Line Criterion continue

Johansen’s Stepped yield line criterion

says that the yield line is actually made
up of many small steps in orthogonal
directions, as shown. This, in turn,
enables us to take the projections of an
inclined yield line upon the axes,
instead of determining the capacity at
an angle.
Johansen’s Stepped Yield
Line Criterion continue

Hence we can use:

Internal Work Done
Use Johansen’s approach in which the
projections of the yield lines onto the
axes of rotations is used.
External Work Done

Consider a general region with loading

and deformation as shown.
External Work Done continue

The work done by the elemental load is

force by distance:

The total work done is:

External Work Done continue

But ∫r⋅dA is the first moment of area,

hence the total work done is just:

For point loads, it is just the load by

deflection under it.
Setting up the problem
The rotation of a rigid panel is linked to
the deflection of the applied load:
Setting up the problem continue

Therefore, we assume a value of

deflection, say δ and relate all rotations
to it.
Hence, all loads, moments and
deformations in the problem are set up.
To solve, we equate the work done by
the external forces in deflecting, to the
work done by the yield lines in rotating:
Setting up the problem continue
Example 1 – Yield Lines not
Parallel to Axes

Find required moment capacity to resist

uniform (ULS) loading, w. Assume
isotropic, i.e. moment capacity
independent of direction.
Example 1 – Yield Lines not
Parallel to Axes
continue
Example 2 – Simply-supported
Rectangular 2-way Slab
This slab is subject to a load of 10
kN/m2. Find the collapse load factor
Example 2 – Solution tips

External Work Done:

Impose a deflection of δ along the line
AB. For each panel calculate the (load ×
load factor) × area × deflection at
centroid.
Add up for each panel. The result will
have a number × δ × λ as the load factor
and deflection are not known.
Example 2 – Solution tips
Internal Work Done:
For each panel, project the yield line onto
the axis of rotation and calculate this length.
Multiply this by the capacity in that
direction. Determine the rotation in terms of
δ by using the well-known S = Rθ .
Add up for each panel giving a number ×
δ.
Example 2 – Solution tips
Equate:
Equate and rearrange for the load factor
λ . Note that the deflection term vanishes.
Ans. 1.93
Repeat this example by exchanging the
capacities, does λ change?
Repeat this example by changing the 1
m dimension to 1.5 m – does λ change?
Some of the workings:
Some of the workings:
Some of the workings:
Some of the workings:
Some of the workings:
Example 3
Determine which is the critical failure
mode for a load w and capacities as
shown.
Example 3
Exam Question 2006

The symmetrical hexagonal isotropic

slab shown in Figure Q2 below is
uniformly loaded and supported on six
edges. The side length of the slab is
6m. Using the yield line theory, find the
moment capacity to resist q kN/m2.
Assume all supports are simply
supported.
Exam Question 2012