Deflection analysis of strain hardening structures under repeated loading

Abstract An efficient method of historical analysis using an initial strain approach coupled with the matrix flexibility method is developed for elastoplastic structures. The spread of inelastic straining along members is taken into account using a trilinear moment-curvature relationship with linear elastic unloading. Stresses are computed using a computer aided iterative numerical procedure, which converges rapidly. Theoretical results compare very well with published tests. The extent of the yield plateau is found to be the most critical parameter in the estimation of deflections.