Multiparametric Limit Analysis of Frames: Part I—Model

Abstract

Plastic flexural collapse of framed structures due to the action of independently varying loads is considered by the formulation of a multi‐objective linear programming model. The approach is based on a lower‐bound theorem for multiparameter loading. The solution of the model makes it possible to determine the permissible variation of loading parameters, the enumeration of failure modes under different load combinations, the generation of the global‐limit hypersurface of frames and demarcation of regions corresponding to different failure modes on this hypersurface. Numerical algorithms for the solution and illustrative examples are given in a companion paper.