Shakedown Analysis for Trusses and Frames

Abstract

The kinematic method is applied to study the shakedown behavior of certain bar structures subjected to variable loads. For trusses, the possible elastic instability of a thin bar in compression is taken into account. In the case of frames, the possibility of formulating the problem in generalized variables is explored. The result implies that the methods available in plastic limit analysis, such as the method of hinge mechanisms, can be developed for use in shakedown analysis of the structures.