
The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is a crucial concept in engineering and mechanics, defining the line between tension and compression regions in a fully plastic shape or section. It is the axis where the sum of the yield strength times the areas above and below it are equal. While finding the centroid of a shape is a well-known concept for engineering students, determining the PNA is often not covered in-depth in introductory courses. The PNA is particularly relevant in plastic behaviour in bending, and its calculation can vary depending on the symmetry and material composition of the shape. For example, in a symmetric section made of a single material, the PNA falls at the mid-height. However, in asymmetric sections or those with asymmetric material distribution, the calculation becomes more complex, requiring assumptions and testing. Understanding the PNA is essential for structural analysis and design, especially in composite beam designs and when dealing with ductile materials like mild steel.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is the dividing line between the tension and compression zones of a shape that has developed full plasticity. |
| Equation | Under pure bending, the resultant forces above and below the PNA must be equal, and those forces are equal to the integral (or summation) of the areas times their yield stresses. |
| Symmetric Shapes | When the shape is symmetric and composed of a single material, the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) and PNA are the same. |
| Asymmetric Shapes | When the shape is not symmetric about the x-axis, the ENA and PNA differ. This also applies to geometrically symmetric shapes with asymmetric material composition. |
| Location | The PNA is located inside the beam's top flange or very close to it. It can also be within the concrete slab, the flange of the steel beam, or the web of the steel beam section. |
| Centroid | The PNA is based on the line that halves the area of a mono-material shape, passing through the centroid. |
| Yield Stress | In a mono-material shape, the yield stress is the same for the entire shape, allowing for simplification of the general equation. |
| Bending | When a compressive axial force is applied to a rectangular section, it shifts the PNA by increasing the compression zone. |
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What You'll Learn
- The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is the line between tension and compression zones of a shape with full plasticity
- The PNA is found at the mid-height of any symmetric section made of one material
- When the shape is asymmetric, the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) and PNA differ?
- The PNA is based on the line that halves the area of a mono-material shape
- The PNA can be located inside the beam's top flange or near it for an economic solution

The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is the line between tension and compression zones of a shape with full plasticity
The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is a crucial concept in engineering and mechanics, serving as the dividing line between the tension and compression zones of a shape that has achieved full plasticity. This axis is instrumental in comprehending the behaviour of materials under stress and aids in designing structures that can withstand and distribute loads effectively.
In the context of a fully developed plastic hinge section subjected to pure bending, the PNA defines the boundary between regions experiencing tension and compression forces. This distinction is essential because, in the absence of a resultant axial force, these compressive and tensile forces must be equal and balanced to maintain equilibrium.
The PNA is particularly relevant when dealing with ductile materials, such as mild steel, which exhibit a large yield plateau on their stress-strain curves. In such materials, full development of a plastic hinge occurs when every portion of the material yields, allowing for a more straightforward analysis of plastic bending.
Determining the location of the PNA can be achieved through calculations involving the yield strength and areas above and below the axis. The general equation dictates that the sum of the yield strength multiplied by the areas above the PNA equals the sum of the yield strength multiplied by the areas below it. This equation simplifies for mono-material shapes, where the yield stress remains constant throughout.
It is important to note that the PNA and the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) may coincide in certain cases, such as when the shape is symmetric and composed of a single material. However, in asymmetric sections or those with asymmetric material distribution, the PNA and ENA differ, with the PNA based on the line that halves the area rather than a weighted average of centroids.
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The PNA is found at the mid-height of any symmetric section made of one material
The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is a crucial concept in structural engineering, specifically in the design of structures that exhibit plastic behaviour. It is defined as the axis that divides a shape at the point where the tension and compression zones are equal. This is particularly important when dealing with ductile materials that can undergo significant deformation without failure, such as mild steel.
When a structure is subjected to bending, it experiences tension on one side and compression on the other. The PNA is the line at which these forces are in equilibrium. This equilibrium is crucial for ensuring that a structure can safely endure loads without experiencing significant or unacceptable permanent deformation.
For symmetric sections made of a single material, the PNA is found at the mid-height of the section. This is because the yield stress is constant throughout the material, allowing for a straightforward calculation. By dividing the general equation by the constant yield strength, we can determine that the PNA falls at the vertical centre of the section.
However, it is important to note that this only applies when the structure is symmetric. In cases where the structure is asymmetric, the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) and PNA differ, and the PNA is no longer simply at the mid-height of the section. Additionally, the presence of multiple materials with different yield strengths can also impact the location of the PNA, as it would be drawn towards the stronger material.
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When the shape is asymmetric, the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) and PNA differ
For shapes that are both symmetric and composed of a single material, the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) and the Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) are the same. However, when the shape is asymmetric, the ENA and PNA differ. This is true for both shapes that are geometrically asymmetric and those that have an asymmetric material composition.
The PNA defines the line between tension and compression regions of a fully developed plastic hinge section subjected to pure bending. There is no resultant axial force, so the compressive and tensile forces are equal. Full development of a plastic hinge occurs when every portion of the material reaches yield stress. This can only happen in very ductile materials with a large yield plateau on their stress-strain curves, such as mild steel.
The Elastic Neutral Axis is based on a weighted average of the centroids of the component areas. It can be found by using a single formula with no assumptions to calculate the weighted average of the centroids of each component shape. On the other hand, the Plastic Neutral Axis of a mono-material shape is based on the line that halves the area. Asymmetric shapes with equal areas above and below the mid-height will still have their PNA at the mid-height.
The PNA can be challenging to locate for engineering students, as it is not typically well-covered in undergraduate engineering mechanics courses, unlike the ENA. The plastic behaviour of materials, particularly in bending, is a concept that can trip up many students, as it is often only introduced briefly in their steel design courses.
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The PNA is based on the line that halves the area of a mono-material shape
The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is a critical concept in structural engineering and mechanics of materials. It is defined as the axis that divides a shape that has developed full plasticity into tension and compression zones. This is particularly important in understanding the behaviour of structures under bending or shear forces.
When it comes to finding the PNA, the composition and geometry of the shape play a significant role. For symmetric shapes composed of a single material, the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) and the PNA coincide. In such cases, the PNA falls at the mid-height of the shape, as both sides exhibit the same behaviour.
However, for asymmetric sections made of a single material, the ENA and PNA differ. The ENA is based on a weighted average of the centroids of the component areas, taking into account the distribution of mass within the shape. On the other hand, the PNA of a mono-material shape is determined by a different principle: it is based on the line that halves the area. This means that the PNA will always be at the mid-height of the shape, regardless of any asymmetries in the geometry, as long as the areas above and below the mid-height are equal.
For instance, consider an I-beam with extra flanges extending from the web. If one flange is positioned just above the lower flange and another is positioned at mid-height, the PNA will still occur at the mid-height of the section. This is because the asymmetrically located flanges have equal areas above and below the mid-height, satisfying the condition for the PNA's location.
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The PNA can be located inside the beam's top flange or near it for an economic solution
The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is a crucial concept in structural engineering, particularly when designing composite steel and concrete beams. It is defined as the axis that divides the tension and compression zones of a shape that has achieved full plasticity. The PNA is essential for ensuring the stability and structural integrity of beams.
The position of the PNA can vary depending on the shape and material composition of the beam. In symmetric shapes made of a single material, the PNA and the Elastic Neutral Axis (ENA) coincide at the center of gravity. However, in asymmetric shapes, the PNA and ENA differ, and the PNA is determined by the distribution of tension and compression forces.
When designing composite steel and concrete beams, the location of the PNA plays a significant role in the beam's structural performance and economic efficiency. An optimal design considers the position of the PNA to minimize steel weight and enhance floor economy. One approach to achieving an economic solution is to locate the PNA inside the beam's top flange or very close to it.
By positioning the PNA inside the top flange or near it, the design can take advantage of the composite action between the concrete deck and the steel beam. This composite action reduces steel weight and deflection, leading to cost savings and improved serviceability. Additionally, the concrete slab contributes to the structural behaviour, resulting in more economical designs.
It is important to note that the PNA location inside the top flange or near it is just one aspect of the beam design. Other factors, such as lateral displacement constraints, mid-span deflection constraints, and geometric constraints, also play a role in optimizing the beam's performance and cost-effectiveness. Therefore, a comprehensive approach that considers all relevant factors is necessary to achieve an economical and structurally sound solution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Plastic Neutral Axis (PNA) is the dividing line between the tension and compression zones of a shape that has developed full plasticity.
For shapes that are both symmetric and composed of a single material, the ENA and PNA are the same. When the shape is not symmetric about the x-axis or is asymmetric in material makeup, the ENA and PNA differ.
Under pure bending, the resultant forces above and below the PNA must be equal, and those forces are equal to the integral (or summation for convenient shapes) of the areas times their yield stresses.
The location of the PNA must fall at the mid-height of any symmetric section composed of a single material.
The plastic neutral axis is located inside the beam's top flange or very close to it for an economic solution. As the axial force increases, the neutral axis moves away from the bottom of the section towards the top of the concrete slab.






























