Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A.

Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Continuous Beams (Common but Special Case)

We consider there a common but special case of continuous beam. Purlins and
other forms of continuous beams fall into this category. The limitations are:

• All spans are equal;

L L L L

In this case, an overall collapse of the structure cannot occur. Instead, collapse
must occur in one (or more) of the spans separately. However, there are only two
types of spans: interior and end spans. We will consider these in turn.

Interior Span

The collapse mechanism for a typical interior span is given below:

Carrying out the virtual work analysis gives:

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

1𝜃 𝐿
( 𝑤𝐿) ( ) = 𝑀𝑃 𝜃 + 2𝑀𝑃 𝜃 + 𝑀𝑃 𝜃
2 2
𝑤𝐿2
( ) 𝜃 = 4 𝑀𝑃 𝜃
4

𝑤𝐿2
𝑀𝑃 =
16
𝑀𝑃
𝐶 = 16
𝑤𝐿2
End Span

The collapse mechanism for the end spans is given below:

In this case we do not know immediately where the second hinge is to be located.
However, comparison with the propped cantilever analysis of previous example
3 shows that the analysis is the same. Thus the results is

𝑤𝐿2
𝑀𝑃 =
11.66
𝑀𝑃
𝐶 = 11.66
𝑤𝐿2

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Discussion
Immediately obvious from the forgoing analysis is that the end spans govern the
design of the beam: they require a plastic moment capacity 37% (16/11.656)
greater than the interior spans do.

Two possible solutions to this are apparent:

1- Strengthen the end spans: provide a section of 37% greater capacity for the
end span. Noting that the plastic hinge must form over the first interior
support, the connection (or splice) between the two beam sections should
therefore occur at the point of contra flexure in the penultimate span (about
0.2L inside the span).
2- Choose the span lengths so that a beam of prismatic section is optimized.
The ratio of lengths must be such that the plastic moments required are the
same:
𝑤𝐿2𝐼𝑛𝑡 𝑤𝐿2𝐸𝑛𝑑
𝑀𝑃 = =
16 11.66
𝐿𝐸𝑛𝑑 11.66
=√ = 0.853
𝐿𝐼𝑛𝑡 16

Thus the most economic design is one where the end spans are 85% of the interior
spans. Lastly, since it is a single span that is consider to collapse at a time (and
not the overall structure), the number of hinges required is h ≤ r + 1 and so the
collapse of a continuous beam is always a partial or complete collapse.

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Example – Continuous Beam

We will analyze the following beam for the loads:

45 kN
30 kN/m 60 kN
60 kN
10 kN/m

A D
B C
4m 4m 6m 2m 2m 2m

We carry out the analysis using the Equilibrium Method. Firstly, we draw the free
bending moment diagrams, having chosen the redundants to be the moments over
the supports:

170 kN.m
135 kN.m
120 kN.m 120 kN.m
+ + +

B. M. D

Since each span can be considered to collapse separately, we draw the composite
diagrams and write h equilibrium equations for each span separately:

Span AB:

Note for this span we must take 𝑀𝐴 = 𝑀𝐵 since it requires three hinges to fail
and one plastic hinge moment cannot be greater than another (the beam is
prismatic):

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

170 kN.m

+ 170 kN.m
𝑀𝐴 − +
A B − 𝑀𝐵
−
𝑀𝐴 𝑀𝐵 A B

𝑀𝑀𝑖𝑑 = 170 − 𝑀𝐴

Thus, if all three moments are to be equal to 𝑀𝑃 at collapse, we have:

𝑀𝑃 = 170 − 𝑀𝑃

2𝑀𝑃 = 170 ⇒ 𝑀𝑃 = 85 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Span BC:

Similarly to span AB, we need three hinges and so 𝑀𝐵 = 𝑀𝐶 :

135 kN.m

+ 135 kN.m
𝑀𝐵 − +
B C − 𝑀𝐶
−
𝑀𝐵 𝑀𝐶 B C

𝑀𝑀𝑖𝑑 = 135 − 𝑀𝐵

At collapse, we again have all moments equal to 𝑀𝑃 :

𝑀𝑃 = 135 − 𝑀𝑃

2𝑀𝑃 = 135

𝑀𝑃 = 67.5 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Span CD:
For Span BC we only need two hinges due to the pinned end support:

120 kN.m
120 kN.m 120 kN.m
120
+ 𝑀𝐶
− +
−

𝑀𝐶

𝑀𝐶
𝑀𝑆𝑝𝑎𝑛 = 120 −
3
At collapse, both moments are equal to 𝑀𝑃 :
𝑀𝑃
𝑀𝑃 = 120 −
3
4
𝑀 = 120
3 𝑃
𝑀𝑃 = 90 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Thus the largest plastic moment capacity required is 90 kNm and this is therefore
the solution. The bending moment diagram corresponding to this case is:

80
45
90 + 90 90 60 90
+
+

B. M. D

Considering the three criteria for collapse, we have:

1- Equilibrium: met (almost automatically) through consideration of the free and

Since the three conditions are met, our solution is unique and this correct.
Lastly, note that for the Spans AB and BC, the reactant line does not have to
be horizontal as shown. Indeed it can lie in any region that maintains the
following equilibrium and yield conditions:

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Example: Resolve the same example using Kinematic Method

45 kN
30 kN/m
60 kN 60 kN
10 kN/m

A D
B C
4m 4m 6m 2m 2m 2m

A B

𝜃 P. H.
P. H.
Mechanism 1
𝜃
P. H.
4 4
B C
P. H. 𝜃 P. H.

Mechanism 2
𝜃
P. H.
3 3
C D
P. H. 𝜃 R. H.

Mechanism 3
𝜃
P. H.
2 4
C D
𝜃 R. H.
P. H.

Mechanism 4 𝜃
P. H.

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Example: Find out the collapse load for a continuous beam of uniform cross
section, shown in Fig

W W/L

A D
E B C
0.5 L 0.5 L L L

Solution:

As the cross section of the entire beam is uniform, the value of the plastic moment
Mp, will be same for all the spans. The problem is solved by the kinematic
theorem. The collapse load will be the minimum of the ultimate loads for various
spans.

Span AB The end A is fixed support and the end B is intermediate support.
Therefore, the beam AB acts as fixed ended beam. The possible locations of
plastic hinges are at A, B and E (below concentrated load) as shown

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Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Checking

W W/L

A D
C
B
𝐴 𝐵 𝐶

To find reactions, consider AB and BCD as shown

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

W
W/L

𝐴 𝐵 𝐵 𝐶

For segment AB

𝐿 𝑊 4𝑀𝑃
∑ 𝑀𝐵 = 0 → 𝐴 (𝐿) − 𝑊 ( ) + 𝑀𝑃 − 𝑀𝑃 = 0 ⇒ 𝐴 = =
2 2 𝐿

𝑊 4𝑀𝑃
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 → ⇒ 𝐵 = =
2 𝐿

For segment BCD

𝑊 𝐿 𝑊 𝐿
∑ 𝑀𝐶 = 0 → 𝐵 (𝐿) − (𝐿) − (𝐿) ( ) + (𝐿) ( ) − 𝑀𝑃 = 0 ⇒
𝐿 2 𝐿 2
3 𝑀𝑃
=
𝐿

9𝑀𝑃
∑ 𝐹𝑦 = 0 ⇒ 𝐵+ 𝐶 + = 2𝑊 ⇒ 𝐶 =
𝐿

Bending moment at mid span of (CD)

𝐿 𝑊 𝐿 𝐿 𝑀𝑃
𝑀𝐶 𝑀𝑖𝑑 = ( )− ( )( ) =
2 𝐿 2 4 2

Bending moment C

𝑊 𝐿
𝑀𝐶 = (𝐿) − (𝐿) ( ) = −𝑀𝑃
𝐿 2

Bending moment at mid span of (BC)

𝐿 𝑊 𝐿 𝐿
𝑀𝐵𝐶 𝑀𝑖𝑑 = 𝐵 ( ) − ( ) ( ) − 𝑀𝑃 = 0
2 𝐿 2 4

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 Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

Bending moment at mid span of (AB)

𝐿
𝑀𝐸 = 𝐴 ( ) − 𝑀𝑃 = 𝑀𝑃
2

Problems

1- For the following prismatic beam of MP = 30 kNm, find the load factor at

collapse. (Ans. 1.5)

20 kN 10 kN

B C
A
D E
3𝑚 3𝑚 3𝑚 3𝑚

2- For the following prismatic beam of MP = 30 kNm, find the load factor at

collapse. (Ans. 1.33)

20 kN 10 kN

B C
A
D E
3𝑚 3𝑚 3𝑚 3𝑚

3- For the following prismatic beam of M P = 86 kNm , find the load factor
at collapse. (Ans. 1.27)

40 kN 30 kN

A B
C D
3𝑚 2𝑚 5𝑚

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Plastic Analysis of Structures Dr. Abdulkhaliq A. Jaafer L6
MSc. Course Misan University

4- For the beam, determine the required plastic moment capacity for the

loads? (Ans. 90 kNm)

50 kN
40 kN/m 60 kN
60 kN
10 kN/m

A D
B C
4m 4m 6m 2m 2m 2m

5- For the continuous beam (ABCD), it is required to evaluate the parameter

(k) so that the ultimate strength is realized simultaneously in all spans. The
parameter k represents the ratio of the plastic moment for the end span to
that of the interior span. It is also required to calculate the load at which
this condition becomes valid.

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