FEM Limit Analysis of Beam Structures by Direct Method

Abstract

In this paper, we introduce a so-called direct method for the computation of limit loads of beam structures subjected to propotional loading. The forces acting on the beam structures are static. The material of beam is made of perfectly plastic elastic. There are two approaches based on fundamental theorems of limit analysis theory. This work presents a formulation which is based on upper bound approach combined with the von Mises yield criterion. After that an algorithm is given to find the limit load factor. The finite element method is used in this investigation. The method is illustrated by an example which is solved by both analytical and numerical methods.