Chapter 1

Plastic moment redistribution

Abrham E.
&
Sophonyas A.
15-Dec-13

INTRODUCTION
The purpose of any analysis is to know how the
structure responds to a given loading and thereby
evaluate the stresses and deformations.
Then the sections will be designed to resist the
internal forces induced by external loads so that
the stresses and deformations developed are
within permissible limits.
Most reinforced concrete structures are designed
for internal forces found by elastic theory with
methods such as slope deflection, moment
distribution, and matrix analysis.
15-Dec-13

 There is an apparent inconsistency in determining the

design moments based on an elastic analysis, while
doing the design based on a limit state design
procedure.
The structural analysis is based on linear elastic
theory, whereas the structural design is based on
inelastic section behavior.
It should be noted, however, that there is no real
inconsistency if the moment-curvature (M- )
relationship remains linear even under ultimate loads.
According to EBCS-2, 1995 for the analysis in the
Ultimate Limit State;

15-Dec-13

Plastic,
Non-linear and
Linear elastic theory may be applied.

Linear Elastic Analysis of Structures

In materials obeying Hookes law, the load
deformation relationship is linear.
This behavior is simple to analyze.
For instance, the use of the principle of
superposition is allowed only by assuming linear
behavior of structures.
In linear elastic analysis, there are two different
ways of analyzing a statically indeterminate
structure:
1.
2.
15-Dec-13

The displacement or Equilibrium methods

The force or compatibility methods

Non-Linear Analysis of Structures

The non-linear analysis procedures are more
complex and therefore very time consuming.
It is beyond the scope of this course.
Nonlinear structural problems usually fall into one
of the following main categories;

15-Dec-13

Large deformations associated with geometric

nonlinearity,
Nonlinear material behavior associated with material
nonlinearity, and
The combination of geometric and material
nonlinearities.

Plastic Analysis of Structures

Most structural members, under gradually increasing
strain, have an elastic stage & a plastic stage.
When a beam yields in bending, an increase in
curvature does not produce an increase in moment
resistance. Analysis of beams and structures made of
such flexural members is called Plastic Analysis.
For a proper determination of the distribution of
bending moments for loading beyond the yielding
stage at any section, inelastic analysis is used.
This is generally referred to as limit analysis, when
applied to reinforced concrete framed structures, and
plastic analysis when applied to steel structures.
15-Dec-13

Moment curvature relationship

Curvature is defined as the angle change per unit
length at a given location.
In ordinary design, the relation between moment
applied to a given beam section and the resulting
curvature, is not needed explicitly.
It is important:

15-Dec-13

to study the ductility of members

to understand the development of plastic hinge, and
to account for the redistribution of elastic moments
that occurs in most reinforced concrete structures
before collapse.

 If we take a portion of a beam:

Point O' is the center
of curvature of the
deflected curve.
(rho), radius of
curvature,
is the
distance from the
curve to the center of
curvature.

Curvature (kappa) is defined as the reciprocal of

the radius of curvature.
1
Thus, =

15-Dec-13

Curvature is the measure of

how sharply a beam is bent

And from the geometry

of triangle oab,

*d = ds
1
= =

Point O is located much further than it is located in the

figure, because most beams give very small deflections and
have nearly flat deflection curve.
15-Dec-13

 To evaluate normal strain in beams subjected to

pure bending, consider a line cd located at a
distance y from the neutral axis.
The longitudinal line cd had
the same length with ab on
the neutral axis before
bending, but after bending
the curve cd will shorten.
And this shortened curve is
at a distance ( - y) from
the center of curvature.
Fig. Deformed beam under pure bending
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 Before bending of the beam = =

After bending the size of remains constant but
= .
Therefore,
= =
=

Therefore, the strain curvature relation is:

=
=

For linear elastic materials, by substituting hooks law for

uniaxial stress ( = *E) into the above equation, we get:
E y
x = E x =
= E y

15-Dec-13

 From the study of mechanics of materials, we have

the flexural formula
My
x =
I

The moment curvature relation can be stated, from

the above equations as follows:

My
E y
x =
=
= E y
I

My
E y
x =
=
= E y
I

1
M
This is relation is known as
Implies that: = =

EI

moment - curvature equation

From the relation the curvature is:

directly proportional to the bending moment M and

inversely proportional to the quantity EI, which is
called flexural rigidity.
15-Dec-13

Drawing Moment - Curvature diagram

The Bernoulli hypothesis of plane sections remaining
plane after bending holds also for analysis based on
non-linear - relationship
It is to be noted that for RC cross sections in state II,
it holds true only on the average or smeared sense
along the axis of the beam.
At a crack location, the hypothesis is violated, but is
not considered in the analysis
We need the following two important equations to
draw the Moment(M) - Curvature() diagram

15-Dec-13

= =

1
M
= =

EI

Strain - curvature equation

Moment - curvature equation

STATE I:
The stiffness used in linear analysis for Reinforced
Concrete structures is generally determined using
uncracked section
STATE II:
The stiffness may be determined on the basis of
cracked section (linear elastic analysis with reduced
stiffness)
The important points along the moment curvature
diagram at which M and are to be calculated are
as follows:

15-Dec-13

Theoretical Moment-Curvature diagram for R.C.C.

Because the tension stiffening effect of the

concrete is ignored

In reality, the uncracked concrete in

the cracked section shares in
resisting flexural tension, resulting
in what is known as tension
stiffening.

15-Dec-13

Just before cracking (Pt. 1):

In this case, concrete also takes tension and the moment is
the cracking moment. We find the second moment of area
of the uncracked transformed section

1 =

Mcr = 1.7 fct Z
Mcr - Theoretical moment which causes cracking
Z - Section modulus
fctk - Characteristic Tensile strength of Concrete

Just after cracking (Pt. 2):

In this case, concrete does not take any tension and the
moment is the cracking moment.
We find the second moment of area of the cracked
transformed section
15-Dec-13


2 =

At yielding of the steel (Pt. 3):
In this case, tension steel reaches yield point but
concrete does not reach maximum strain - under
reinforced beam.

+
3 = =
=
=

At Ultimate Limit State of the R.C.C. section (Pt. 4):

In this case either = 3.5 0/00 or =10.0 0/00, for
concrete and steel respectively.

+
4 = =
=
=

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By trial and error, we can

find the strain in the steel
or the maximum strain in
concrete from the relation
C = T.

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 The figure below shows the calculated and experimentally

registered curves M- for two different cross-sections, with
steel fyk = 560 MPa and concrete C60/75.

15-Dec-13

 The actual moment curvature relationship measured in

beam tests differ some-what from the theoretical curve
shown above, mainly because, the tension stiffening
effect of the concrete is ignored.
The theoretical moment curvature can be modified to
resemble the actual one by considering the concrete share
in resisting flexural tension.

15-Dec-13

 The above Moment-Curvature diagram can be simplified

as follows , for the purpose of limit analysis.
With the idealized M relation, the ultimate moment of
resistance (MuR) is assumed to have been reached at a
critical section in a flexural member with the yielding of
the tension steel.

15-Dec-13

From the analysis of a section, with the same section

size and that has different tension reinforcement, the
moment capacity at yield and at ULS is shown below:

Width = 200
Total depth = 400

Cross
Moment Capacity (kNm.)
Size of
section When the steel When the section is at
reinforcement
size (mm.)
yields (My)
ULS (MuR)
310
26.568
27.953
312
37.299
39.322
314
49.450
51.953
316
62.794
65.343
320
91.364
92.670
Compression failure
324
112.923
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With the idealized M relation,

On further straining (increase curvature: > y), the
moment at the section cannot increase.
However, the section yields & the curvature continues
to increase under a constant moment (M = Mu).
Size of
M
reinforcement (kNm)

310
312
314
316
320
324
15-Dec-13

27.953
39.322
51.953
65.343
92.670
112.923

Curvature (1/mm.)
When the steel
yields (y)
6.890E-06
7.487E-06
7.487E-06
8.987E-06
1.133E-05
1.447E-05

When the section is at

ULS (u)
3.273E-05
3.453E-05
3.689E-05
3.061E-05
1.959E-05
1.447E-05

Idealized Moment Curvature relation

The assumption generally

made in limit analysis is
that
the
momentcurvature relation is an
idealized bilinear elastoplastic relation.

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature curve and ductility

If there is no moment redistribution:

Region 2
Region 4
Ductile Failure
Brittle Failure
Region 3
Has both the ductile and brittle portion and the boundary
line Connect = 3.50 0/00 and = 4.3125 0/00

15-Dec-13

 From the figure above, it is easy to understand that:

If the R.C.C. member is under reinforced section,
It has larger change in angle per unit length or
It has enough bent before failure.
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 The main advantage underlying under-reinforced

sections is that they exhibit ductile behavior
15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature relation

120.00

3 d 10
3 d 12
3 d 14
3 d 16
3 d 20
3 d 24

100.00
80.00
60.00
40.00
20.00
0.00
0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

Fig. Moment curvature diagrams for 20cm x 40cm RC section with different
reinforcement

Width = 200
Total depth = 400

Size of
Cross section
reinforcement
size
310
312
314
316
320
15-Dec-13 324

Strain at ULS
s1 (0/00) cm (0/00)
10.00
1.85
10.00
2.46
10.00
3.28
7.49
3.50
3.49
3.50
1.64
3.50

Failure Mode

STEEL
FAILURE
CONCRETE
FAILURE

Width = 200
Total depth = 400

Strain at ULS
Size of
Cross
Failure Mode
reinforcement section size s1 (0/00) cm (0/00)
310
10.00
1.85
312
10.00
2.46
TENSION
314
10.00
3.28
FAILURE
316
7.49
3.50
320
3.49
3.50
324
1.64
3.50 COMPRESSION FAILURE

Width = 200
Total depth = 400

Strain at ULS
Size of
Cross
Failure Mode
0
0
reinforcement section size s1 ( /00) cm ( /00)
310
10.00
1.85
312
10.00
2.46
DUCTILE
FAILURE
314
10.00
3.28
316
7.49
3.50
320
3.49
3.50
BRITTLE
FAILURE
324
1.64
3.50
15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

Exercise : Determine the M- relationship for
the singly reinforced beam cross section
shown C-25 concrete and S-460 steel

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

The steps are as follows
I. choose a value for s1
II. take trial NA depth x
III. determine c from s1 and x
IV. determine stress resultants Cc and Ts. Are
they in equilibrium? If no, adjust x and go to
step (ii)
V. iterate until Cc = Ts. The corresponding strain
distribution represents one point on the M-
diagram
15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

cm 2 and N.A. within the section

cm 2 and N.A. within the section

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

Determine cracking moment Mcr from:
Mcr = (fctdIut)/(h-x); where Iut is the moment
of inertia of uncracked transformed section
Es= 200 GPa, Ec=29 GPa n = 200/29 = 6.9

450

(n-1)As = (6.9-1)397.11 =
2343 mm2
200
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Moment Curvature Diagram

x=(2005002502343450)/(2005002343) =
254.58 mm from top
Iut = 2174907745 mm6
Mcr = (1.0)(2174907745)/(500-254.58) =
8861982.5 Nmm = 8.862 kNm
cr = c1/245.42; where c1=fctd/Ec = 1.0/29000 =
0.0344828 (c1=bottom fiber strain)
cr = 0.0344828 10-4/(245.4210-3) =
1.4050510-4 (1/m)
15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

My (at yielding of reinforcement)
c = ?
x

d
Cc

Ts=397.11400 = 158844 N
yd = 0.002

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

kx =x/d

c()

c=cm/12( Cc
6-cm)kx

0.4

180

1.333333

0.2074

2111493

0.3

135

0.8752

0.1102

112375

0.35

157.5

1.077

0.1546

157689

0.36

162

1.125

0.1645

167773

0.355

159.75

1.101

0.1595

162684

0.352

158.4

1.086

0.1566

159672

0.351

157.95

1.0817

0.1556

158675

=(8cm)/(4(
6-cm)

0.123433

d=55.545
15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

In the table above, c/x = 0.002/(450-x)
Formula for c is for parabola only. So check
on values of c 0.002
My =158844(450-55.545) = 62.66 kNm
And y = c/x=1.081710-3/(157.9510-3)
=0.006848 (1/m) (rotation of section (rad) per
m length of beam axis)

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

Somewhere b/n cracking moment and My, say
at s1 = 0.001 = 1
c = ?
x

d
Cc
Ts=397.11 0.001 200000 = 79422

s1 = 0.001

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

kx =x/d

c()

c=cm/1
2(6cm)kx

Cc

0.5

225

1.0

0.208

212438

0.2

90

0.25

0.023958

24430

0.28

126

0.389

0.0509

51918.6

0.35

157.5

0.53846

0.08577

87464

0.32

144

0.47058

0.0939

70755.6

0.33

148.5

0.492537

0.0746

76066.9

0.34

153

0.51515

0.080057

81634

0.366

151.2

0.506024
1

0.07784

79376

15-Dec-13

=(8cm)/(4(
6-cm)

0.11458
d=51.56

Moment Curvature Diagram

M = 79422(450-51.56) Nmm
M = 31.64 kNm
= 0.506024110-3/(151.210-3) =
0.00334672 (1/m)

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

Somewhere between My and Mu, say at

s1 = 0.005 = 5
c = ?
x

d
Cc

Ts=397.11 400= 158844 N

s1 = 0.005

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

kx =x/d

c()

c=cm/1
2(6cm)kx

Cc

0.25

112.5

1.666666
7

0.15046

153427

0.26

117

1.756756

0.16151

164692

0.254

114.3

1.70241

0.15486

157912

0.255

114.75

1.7114

0.155965

159038

=(8cm)/(4(
6-cm)

0.09348

d=48.07
M = 158844(450-42.07) = 65.798 kNm
= cm/x = 1.711410-3/(114.7510-3) = 0.014914 (1/m)

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

At the ULS strain distribution at ULS
c = -2.63
x = kxd = 0.208d = 93.6 mm

s1 = 10

ult = (10+2.63) /0.45 = 0.0280667(1/m)

Using design chart No 1
Sd,s = 0.143
MSd,s = 0.14311.332004502 = 65.62 kNm
15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

15-Dec-13

Moment Curvature Diagram

Observations:
For low values of M, cross section is in state I. M-
relationship is linear. The slope is the flexural
stiffness EcIi in state I.
After cracking, cross section is in state II. M-
relationship b/n Mcr and My is also approximately
linear. The reduced flexural stiffness is depicted by
the lower slope.
After yielding, the bending stiffness is practically
lost with the almost horizontal slope. The RC section
(under reinforced) shows a highly ductile behavior.
15-Dec-13

Moment Redistribution for Linear Elastic

Analysis of structures
In an indeterminate structure, once a beam section
develops its ultimate moment of resistance Mu, it
behaves as a plastic hinge resisting a constant
moment of that value.
Further loading must be taken by other parts of the
structure, with the changes in moment elsewhere
being just the same as if a real hinge existed.
Thus, after yielding, moments are redistributed to
other cross-sections of the member which are still
elastic.
15-Dec-13

 As the load increases further, other sections will

yield and shall develop hinges.
When enough hinges have formed in any span of the
member to make it unstable (a mechanism rather
than a flexural member), the member is considered
to have failed.
The load at which a mechanism forms in any span is
called the limit load in the span.
Thus redistribution of Moments is the transfer of
loads after the formation of first plastic hinge at the
section, having the highest bending moment till the
collapse of the structure.
15-Dec-13

 When a beam is loaded beyond working load, plastic

hinges are formed at certain locations.

If a plastic hinge is formed in determinate structures,

uncontrolled deflection takes place, and the structure
will collapse.
Thus a statically determinate system requires the
formation of only one plastic hinge in order to
become a mechanism.
15-Dec-13

 In the case of indeterminate structures, stability may

be maintained even though hinges have formed at
several cross sections

Plastic hinges modify the behavior of structures much in the

same way as mechanical hinges.
The only difference is that the plastic hinges permit rotation
offering constant resisting moment Mp to the rotation.
15-Dec-13

 Plastic hinge: is defined as a zone that yields due to

bending in a structural member, at which large
rotations
can take place at a section with a
constant moment, Mp.
The plastic hinges are likely to be formed under the
points of
maximum bending moment,
points of supports, or
under concentrated loads.

Formation of plastic mechanism:

is one of the major Ultimate Limit States
is formed when the reinforcement yields to form
plastic hinges at enough sections to make the
structure unstable.
15-Dec-13

A stable structure can

resist displacement.
There has to be a force corresponding to
any displacement.
The structure is converted into mechanism and collapse
occurs, if there is displacement without resistance.

15-Dec-13

Rotation Requirement
Before failure, reinforced concrete sections are usually
capable of considerable inelastic rotation at nearly
constant moment.
This permits a redistribution of elastic moments and
provides the basis for plastic analysis of beams, frames and
slabs.
Therefore, the designer adopting full limit analysis in
concrete must calculate not only the amount of rotation
required at critical sections to achieve the assumed degree
of moment redistribution but also the rotation capacity of
the members at those sections to ensure that it is
adequate. AND:
It also requires an extensive analysis of all possible
mechanisms.
15-Dec-13

Plastic Moment Redistribution According to

EBCS-2, 1995
To obtain most of the advantages of limit analysis, a
restricted amount of redistribution of elastic moments can
safely be made without complete analysis.
This is possible, if the section forming the plastic hinge has
the ability to rotate at constant moment, which depends
on the ductility of that section.
Therefore, R.C.C. section must be ductile; this implies it
should be under reinforced.
According to EBCS-2, 1995, a limited amount of
redistribution is permitted, depending upon a rough
measure of available ductility, without explicit calculation
of rotation requirement and capacity.
15-Dec-13

 is a reduction coefficient for redistribution of moments

depending on the ductility of the section.
Moments obtained from a linear analysis may be
multiplied by provided that the moments are increased
in other sections in order to maintain equilibrium.
For continuous beams & beams in rigid jointed frames
with span/effective-depth ratio not greater than 20,
0.44
0.44 + 1.25

, 35

1.25

0.56
0.56 + 1.25

, > 35

1.25
The neutral axis height, x, is calculated at the Ultimate
Limit State and the term x/d refers to the section where
the moment is reduced.
15-Dec-13

 For other continuous beams and rigid jointed braced

frames
0.75
For sway frames with slenderness ratio of columns
less than 25,
0.90
(reduction
s1
coefficient ) ( 0/00)

cm
(0/00)

sd

Kx

0.70

10.0

0.80

8.6528

-3.50

0.233 0.120 0.205 0.288 0.205

0.90

6.0109

-3.50

0.298 0.153 0.252 0.368 0.252

1.0

4.3125

-3.50

0.363 0.186 0.295 0.448 0.295

15-Dec-13

-2.626 0.155 0.082 0.142 0.208 0.143

 Advantages of moment redistribution:

It gives a more realistic picture of the actual load carrying
capacity of the indeterminate structure.
Structures designed considering the redistribution of
moment (though limited) would result in economy as the
actual load capacity is higher than that we determine from
any elastic analysis.
The designer will have the freedom to modify, with in
limit, the design bending moments to reduce reinforcing
bars, which are crowded especially at location of high
bending moment, such as beam-column joint.
This can be achieved by letting the section to be underreinforced, if the moment resistance of adjacent critical
section is increased correspondingly.
15-Dec-13

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

The application of the inelastic moment redistribution
is illustrated by means of the continuous beam shown
in figure (next slide).
Given:
2 span continuous beam and design load
(g+q)d = 80 kN/m
Required:
BMD after inelastic moment redistribution using a
redistribution factor = 0.8 applied to the support
moment
27-Mar-12

57

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

80 kN/m

6.0 m
x

8.0 m

-520 kNm

(a) System and Loading

146.9 kNm
406.4 kNm

(b) BMD based on linear analysis

27-Mar-12

58

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

Solution:
Determine the BMD of the continuous beam using
linear analysis (result is shown in figure. Students will
check the result)
MS,red = 0.8MS,el = -0.8520 = -416 kNm
Now since the support section has turned into a
plastic hinge, the system has changed from
indeterminate to two determinate simple span
beams

27-Mar-12

59

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

reactions and internal action effects can be
determined from conditions of static equilibrium.
80 kN/m
Ms,red = -416 kNm
A

6.0 m
80 kN/m

-416 kNm
8.0 m

27-Mar-12

60

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

From FBD of left span: A = 170.67 kN
From FBD of right span: C = 268 kN
B = 681.33 kN
Maximum span moments:
Left span: xo = A/(g+q) = 170.67/80 = 2.13m
Mf,l = 170.67(2.13)-80(2.13)2/2 = 182.05 kNm (max
span moment after redistribution)
Right span: xo measured from right xo = C/(g+q) =
268/80 3.35m
Mf,r = 268(3.35)-80(3.35)2/2 = 448.9 kNm
27-Mar-12

61

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

-520 kNm
-416 kNm

146.9 kNm
406.4 kNm
182.5 kNm
448.9 kNm

Fig. BMD before and after redistribution

27-Mar-12

62

Inelastic Moment Redistribution

Points to be observed
For any degree of inelastic moment redistribution,
there must take place some amount of rotation at a
plastic hinge which must be endowed with sufficient
rotation capacity.
Thus such redistributions are typically followed by a
check for sufficiency of plastic rotation capacity.
Such a check is rather involved

27-Mar-12

63

Excercise
1. Determine the moment curvature diagram of the
x-section (b/h/d) = 300/500/450 RC section if it is
reinforced with:
224 bars
424 bars
624 bars

2. Design a 6m beam fixed at both ends to support a

design load of 24kN/m
a) Without redistribution
b) With 20% support moment redistribution
Section 200mm x 400mm
C-25 concrete & S-400 steel, class I works.
15-Dec-13