Causes and Consequences of Nonuniqueness in an Elastic/Perfectly-Plastic Truss

Abstract

A complete solution to collapse is given for a three-bar symmetric truss made of an elastic/perfectly-plastic material, using linear statics and kinematics, and the solution is found to be partially nonunique in the range of contained plastic deformation. The introduction of a first-order deviation from symmetry and/or the inclusion of first-order nonlinear terms in the equilibrium equations is found to restore uniqueness. The significance of these effects is analyzed and discussed from mathematical, physical, modelling, computational, and engineering points of view.