
Plastic collapse is a concept in engineering that deals with the analysis of structural collapse. It involves understanding the behaviour of structures under various loading conditions, such as bending and shear forces. The shape of a structure plays a crucial role in determining its collapse mechanism, as different shapes have distinct plastic deformation characteristics. For instance, the collapse load of a uniform mild-steel beam will vary depending on its span length and shape factor. Additionally, the shape of a missile tip can influence the fracture mechanisms during impact, with factors such as the angle of the nose and impact velocity playing a role. In a continuous beam, the maximum moment point occurs at the support and at a point of zero shear between the supports, influencing the formation of plastic hinges. Plastic collapse analysis provides valuable insights into how structures fail under different loading scenarios, helping engineers make informed decisions to prevent catastrophic failures.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn

Plastic hinges and plastic section capacity
Plastic hinges and their formation are crucial concepts in understanding plastic section capacity and plastic collapse. A plastic hinge is a point of zero shear force and inflection in a bending moment diagram. They are essential in the analysis of structural behaviour, specifically in beams and frames.
Plastic hinges form at the bottom of a structure and gradually increase towards the top. The number and location of hinges are critical in determining the collapse mechanism of a structure. For instance, in a continuous beam, plastic hinges form at the supports, and as the load increases, a hinge occurs at a zero-shear point between the supports.
The placement of hinges is strategically done at locations of maximum bending moment. This ensures that the moment does not exceed the plastic section capacity, which is a fundamental consideration in plastic analysis. By understanding the behaviour of hinges and their formation, engineers can predict and analyse the collapse load factors for determinate and indeterminate structures.
Plastic design, a design approach, requires the formation of hinges to maintain structural stability until the final hinge occurs. This prevents premature collapse and allows the structure to remain elastic until the next load case. The length of plastic hinges is influenced by the moment diagram and can vary depending on the type of structure.
Plastic hinges play a pivotal role in moment redistribution, which is the process of shifting the moment capacity from one region to another. This redistribution can be observed in sagging and hogging hinges, where the sagging region rotates to allow the moment capacities at the supports to be reached. By redistributing the moment, engineers can enhance the overall strength and stability of a structure.
Nissan Interiors: ABS Plastic Parts and Pieces
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Plastic hinges and bending moment
Plastic hinges are a key concept in structural engineering beam theory. They refer to the deformation of a beam where plastic bending occurs. This occurs when the bending moment reaches a certain value, known as the plastic moment, and the beam section attains its plastic moment capacity. At this point, the beam section can be visualised as having reached a fully plastic state, and further loading will cause free rotation at the location of the plastic hinge.
The formation of a plastic hinge can be understood through the stress-strain curve for ductile materials. As the applied load increases, the elastic core of the beam reduces in size until it disappears completely. This marks the formation of a plastic hinge, as the beam section has fully yielded and can withstand no further increase in bending moment.
Plastic hinges are important in understanding the collapse load factors for determinate and indeterminate structures. A plastic collapse mechanism refers to a system of beam segments between plastic hinges, which can move without any increase in load. This structure is unstable until strain hardening occurs at the plastic hinge locations. By placing hinges at the locations of maximum bending moment, the minimum number of hinges required for collapse can be determined.
The distribution of plastic hinges within a structure is influenced by its shape. For instance, in a frame structure, plastic hinges may be concentrated in the structural protruding parts of the second, third, and fifth layers. Additionally, the formation of plastic hinges can be influenced by the presence of shear walls or supports, which can improve the seismic performance of the structure.
In summary, plastic hinges play a critical role in understanding the bending moment behaviour of beams and the collapse mechanisms of structures. By analysing the distribution and formation of plastic hinges, engineers can design structures that meet specific load performance requirements and prevent catastrophic failure.
Repairing Plastic Gas Tanks: Patching Leaks, Restoring Functionality
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Plasticity analysis and structural collapse
Plasticity analysis is a critical tool in structural engineering, helping to predict and prevent collapse. It is a non-linear analysis that accounts for the post-yield behaviour of materials, which is crucial for understanding structural collapse.
The term 'collapse' in structural engineering simply refers to structural failure, which may or may not be dramatic. Structural collapse can occur due to various factors, including the shape and material properties of the structure, as well as the nature of the loading. For instance, in the case of a uniform mild-steel beam supported on four knife edges, the intensity of a uniformly distributed lateral load causing collapse can be calculated using the beam's plastic section modulus and yield stress.
Plastic analysis is particularly useful for determining the collapse load factors for determinate and indeterminate structures. It distinguishes between two types of analysis: limit analysis and plastic analysis. Limit analysis predicts the limit load, which is a theoretical load that would cause structural failure, assuming the material is perfectly plastic. On the other hand, plastic analysis predicts the plastic collapse load, which is the maximum load a structure can sustain before collapse. This analysis considers the material's stress-strain relationship and accounts for post-yield stiffness, allowing for a more accurate prediction of collapse loads.
The shape of a structure plays a significant role in determining plastic collapse. For example, in a continuous beam, the maximum moment point will occur at the support and at points of zero shear between the supports. These points are where plastic hinges can form, leading to potential collapse. The number and location of hinges are critical factors in determining the collapse mechanism. Additionally, the shape of a missile tip can influence the possible fracture mechanisms in industrial accidents, with different shapes leading to different types of plastic deformation.
Furthermore, plasticity analysis also considers the stability of a structure. Buckling, for instance, is an elastic failure that occurs when the deflections of a structure become unstable due to a critical combination of load and elastic modulus. Ductile fracture is another failure mode where plastic deformation occurs, leading to a major change in shape and functional loss of the component.
Recycling Plastic: What Goes in the Blue Bin?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Plastic collapse mechanisms and cyclic loading
Plastic collapse can be defined as the failure of a structure due to the development of plastic strain across the net section. It is caused by the load exceeding the yield stress, which results in plastic hinges forming at the remote ends of a beam. A plastic collapse mechanism is an unstable structure formed by beam segments between plastic hinges. The beam only becomes a mechanism when a third plastic hinge develops at mid-length.
Plastic collapse can be analysed through plasticity analysis, which provides insight into how a multiply-connected (multiple load-path) structure fails as the load is increased. This analysis can be used to determine the collapse load factors for determinate and indeterminate structures.
The collapse load can be influenced by various factors, including the shape of the structure, the material properties, and the loading conditions. For example, in a continuous beam, the maximum moment point will occur at the support and at a point of zero shear between the supports. The shape of the structure can also affect the number of plastic hinges required for collapse, as demonstrated in the example of a simple cantilever column with a variable cross-section.
When a structure is subjected to cyclic loading, the collapse mechanisms can change. This phenomenon has been observed in columns under alternating horizontal loads and in general framed structures. The variation of hysteresis loops with the change in collapse mechanisms under cyclic loading has been analysed using rigid plastic theory. However, the behaviour of collapse mechanisms under cyclic loading is not fully understood, especially in the case of multistory frames.
In addition to plastic collapse, there are other damage mechanisms that can occur, such as contact fatigue, which involves the creation of cracks at or near the point of contact. Cyclic loading can also lead to fatigue damage, where repeated stressing causes regions of the structure to eventually start to rupture.
FedEx Kinko's Plastic Business Cards: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Plastic deformation and ductile hole enlargement
Plastic deformation refers to the property of a material to withstand deformation. The yield strength is the point at which plastic deformation occurs, and beyond this, the material cannot recover its original shape. The degree of plastic deformation at fracture is known as ductility.
Plastic collapse, on the other hand, is a term used to describe the collapse of a structure due to plastic deformation. This can occur when the yield strength of a material is exceeded, leading to either fracture or a major change in shape. Plastic collapse analysis, or plastic analysis, is a method used to determine the collapse load factors for structures.
Ductile hole enlargement is one of the plastic deformation mechanisms that can lead to plastic collapse. It involves the penetration of a projectile into a target, creating a hole that can lead to a continuous or semi-continuous release. The shape of the missile tip, such as the angle of the nose, can influence the failure modes and ballistic limit velocities.
An analytical model for armour perforation by ductile hole enlargement assumes a rigid nose-pointed projectile with an arbitrary nose shape. This model is applicable for the entry, tunnelling, and exit phases of the projectile. The target is divided into infinitesimally thin layers, and the cumulative effect of the elastoplastic work consumed by each layer leads to a reduction in kinetic energy.
In conclusion, plastic deformation and ductile hole enlargement are related through the concept of plastic collapse. By exceeding the yield strength of a material, ductile hole enlargement can lead to plastic collapse and the potential failure of a structure. The shape of the projectile plays a crucial role in this process, influencing the behaviour and outcome of the penetration event.
Plastic's Deadly Impact on Sea Life
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A plastic collapse mechanism is an unstable structure formed by beam segments between plastic hinges that can move without any increase in load.
The shape of a missile tip, for example, can determine plastic collapse. The possible fracture mechanisms may vary according to the shape of the missile tip (angle of the nose, etc.), the characteristic dimensions of the missile and the target, and the impact velocity.
Ductile fracture is the term used to describe failure occurring due to macroscopic plastic deformation. The yield strength of a material is exceeded over a large region, allowing plastic strain to occur throughout the load-bearing section, which causes either fracture or a major change in shape.
Rattching occurs when a cyclic load acting on a structure causes a continual growth of plastic regions and hysteresis loops, resulting in eventual collapse.


![Playskool Pop-Up Shape Sorter [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71X90dsrZAL._AC_UL320_.jpg)






















![Collapse( How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed)[COLLAPSE][Paperback]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KdH5D8O4L._AC_UY218_.jpg)







