Dynamic modes of plastic deformation for suddenly loaded, curved beams

Abstract

A curved rigid-plastic structure that is loaded by a suddenly applied force deforms in a modal configuration with rigid segments connected by 'plastic hinges'. The mode depends on both the structural configuration and the force. When the applied force F exceeds the static collapse force for a curved structure, tangential resultant forces at plastic hinges can cause the number of modal segments to be a function of F. Displacement constraints that make the tangential force increase with the applied force result in an indefinitely large number of segments for the mode during impulsive loading. © 1990.