Chapter 1 Yield Line

Analysis for slabs

Dr. -Ing. Adil Z.
Dr.-Ing. Girma Z.
Behavior of slabs loaded to failure in
flexure
Four or more stages:
i. Before cracking the slab acts as an
elastic plate, and for short time loads, the
deformations, stresses and strains can be
predicted from an elastic analysis.
ii. After cracking and before yielding of the
reinforcement, the slab no longer has a
constant stiffness, because the cracked
regions have a lower flexural stiffness, EI
than the uncracked regions and the slab
is no longer isotropic because the crack
2
pattern may differ in the two directions.
Behavior of slabs loaded to failure in
flexure
Although these conditions violate the assumptions in
elastic theory, tests indicate that the elastic theory
still predicts the moments adequately. Generally
normal building slabs are partially cracked under
service loads.
iii. yielding of reinforcement eventually starts in
one or more region of high moment and
spreads through the slab as the moments are
redistributed from yielded regions to areas that
are still elastic. The progression of yielding
through a slab fixed on four edges is illustrated
in Figure (next slide)
3
Behavior of slabs loaded to failure in
flexure

4
Behavior of slabs loaded to failure in
flexure
With further load, the regions of yielding known as
yield lines, divide the slab into a series of trapezoidal
and triangular elastic plates as shown in Figure (d)
above. The loads corresponding to this stage of
loading can be estimated by using yield-line analysis
(plastic method analysis)
iv. Although the yield lines divide the slab to form
a mechanism, the hinges jam with increased
deformation, and the slab forms a very flat
compression arch as shown in Figure (next
slide)(avail stiff support). This stage of loading
usually is not considered in design

5
Behavior of slabs loaded to failure in
flexure

6
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Yield line method is a plastic method of
analysis of slabs
A yield line analysis uses rigid plastic
theory to compute the failure loads
corresponding to given plastic moment
resistance in various parts of the slab
A yield line method is an upper bound
method whereas the strip method is
lower bound method.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Upper bound theorem: If, for a small
increment of displacement, the
internal work done by the slab,
assuming that the moment at every
plastic hinge is equal to the yield
moment and that boundary
conditions are satisfied, is equal to
the external work done by the given
load for that same small increment of
displacement, then that load is an
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Lower bound theorem: If, for a given
external load, it is possible to find a
distribution of moments that satisfies
equilibrium requirements, with the
moment not exceeding the yield
moment at any location, and if the
boundary conditions are satisfied,
then the given load is a lower bound
of the true carrying capacity.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
If the lower bound conditions are
satisfied, the slab can certainly carry
the given load, although a higher
load may be carried if internal
distributions of moment occur. If the
upper bound conditions are satisfied,
a load greater than the given load
will certainly cause failure, although
a lower load may produce collapse if
the selected failure mechanism is
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
The yield line phenomenon involves:
a slab under increasing loads where cracking and
reinforcement yielding occur in the most highly
stressed zone (i.e. around maximum moment)
the highly stressed zone normally acts as a
plastic hinge where the subsequent loads are
distributed to other region of the slab
cracks develop forming patterns of yield lines
until a mechanism is formed,
collapse is then indicated by increasing deflection
under constant load
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Deformation of slab with yield lines
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Guidelines for establishing axes of rotation and
YL
1. YL are straight lines because they represent
intersection of two planes
2. YL represent axes of rotation
3. The supported edges of the slab are axes of rotation.
If the edge is fixed negative YL may form, providing
constant resistance to rotation. If the edge is simply
supported, the axis of rotation provides zero restraint
4. An axis of rotation will pass over any column support.
Its orientation depends on other considerations
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Guidelines for establishing axes of
rotation and YL
5. YL form under concentrated loads,
radiating outward from the point of
application.
6. A YL between two slab segments must
pass through the point of intersection of
the axes of rotation of the adjacent slab
segments.
Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Method of yield line analysis
There are two methods of yield line analysis of
slabs:
the equilibrium method
the virtual work method
In either method, a YL pattern is assumed so that a
collapse mechanism is produced. Then for that
failure mechanism, the geometric parameters that
define the exact location and orientation of the
yield lines are determined and also the relation
between applied loads and resisting moments is
solved.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
It is necessary to investigate all
possible mechanisms for any slab to
confirm that the correct solution,
giving the lowest failure load, has
been found. For example the
following rectangular slab (SNS) may
fail by either of the two mechanisms
shown.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs

Alterative mechanisms for a slab supported on

three sides
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Equilibrium method of Analysis
It makes use of the equilibrium
equations for individual segment to
obtain the collapse load.
The FBD represented by each collapsing
segment is in equilibrium under
applied loads,
yield moments and
reactions or shears along support lines.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
For demonstration purpose consider
the one way slab uniformly loaded and
is continuous as shown in Fig. below.
Let the slab with span L is reinforced to
provide resistance of m2 kN.m per m
through the span and m1 and m3 kN.m
per m at the two supports.
Suppose it is desired to determine the
collapse load wu.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs

A C B
(a )

w u

(b )

X L -X

w u w u

m 2
(c) m 1
m 3

m 2
X L -X
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
For a known yield moments m1, m2, m3, a trial
location of the positive yield line is assumed.
Normally for a given loading and correct
collapse pattern the solution is unique.
However if a different pattern is assumed,
this solution can describe nothing which
pattern is the governing one. Hence, it
becomes essential to use the energy
approach in completed problem for further
verification.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
For the problem posed, consider the
FBD in Figure (c);
wu x 2
M A 0
From left segment: m1 m2 0
2
wu ( L x) 2
From right M B 0 m2 m3
segment: 0
2
Solving for wu from the two expressions
and equating, one may obtain a practical
solution for x as:
m m2 m3 m1
x 1 L 1 1
m3 m1 m1 m2
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
For instance, when L = 3m, m1 = m2 =
7kNm/m and m3 = 10KN.m/m
x = 1.427m and wu = 13.75 KN/m2

When m1 = m3 = 10kN.m/m and m2 =

7kNm/m, L = 3m
x = 1.5m and wu = 15.11 KN/m2
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
With the equilibrium method considerable care
must be taken to show all forces acting on each
element, including twisting moments,
especially when several YLs intersect or when
YLs intersect free edges.
At such locations, off-setting vertical nodal
forces are required at the intersection of YLS.
Because of the possibility of that the nodal
forces will be given the wrong sign or location,
some building codes dont recommend the
methods.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Virtual work method of Analysis
Based on principle that work done by
external forces in undergoing a small
virtual displacements is equal to the
internal virtual work done in rotations
along yield lines, the ultimate load
which the slab can sustain is
determined.
WE = WI
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
To develop suitable expression for each
work, let wu be the uniform distributed
load,
WE wu dxdy xy Wu

where:
xy = virtual displacement at load point
considered
Wu = resultant of the load on each segment
= the corresponding displacement at
centroid of the load in each segment
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Since the relative rotation of the surface
takes place about yield line, one may
obtain
WI mun n L y
Where:
mun = the ultimate moment across any yield
line.
Ly = length of yield line
n = relative rotation of the two adjacent
plates perpendicular to the yield line
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
For demonstration purpose, consider
the one-way slab of the previous
example. w u

1 2

X L -X

w u w u
m 2
m 1
m 3
m 2
X L -X
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
The slab is reinforced at left and right
supports, and in span in such a way
that the capacities of the respective
sections are m1, m3 and m2.
Let be the plastic deflection at x-
distance from left hand support to
positive yield line
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
External work
wx w( L x) 1
WE wu L per m strip
2 2 2
Internal work
WI mLy (m1 m2 )1 (m2 m3 ) 2 per m strip

For small deflection1 and 2

x Lx

WI (m1 m2 ) (m2 m3 )
x Lx
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
By principle of virtual work; WE =WI
which simplifies to give:
2 L(m1 m2 ) x(m1 m3 )
wu
xL( L x)
dwu
To obtain the minimum collapsedxload
0

(m1 m3 ) xL( L x) L(m1 m2 ) x(m1 m3 ) ( L2 2 xL) 0

 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
This gives the practical values of x
such that:
m1 m2 m3 m1
x L 1 1
m3 m1 m1 m2

Thus, identical solution to the

equilibrium methods is obtained
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Moments along Skewed yield
lines
Consider a two
way slab
orthogonally
reinforced
where the yield
lines are
inclined at an
angle with one
of the principal
axes.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
The Fig. shows an orthogonal gird of
reinforcement having moment resistance
my and mx per unit length about the y axis
and x axis, respectively.
the resisting moment per unit length along
the axis provided mxu cos
by the y2 direction bars
my mx cos
u cos
is:

the resisting momentm u sin per unit length

my x mx cos sin
perpendicular to u cosaxis provided by the y
direction bars is:
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
the resisting moment per unit length along
the axis provided by the x direction bars
is: my v sin
mx 2
m y sin
v sin

the resisting moment per unit length

perpendicular to axis provided by the x
m y v cos
mx is:
direction bars my cos sin
v sin
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Thus for the combined set of bars:
the resisting normal moment per unit
length measured along the axis is:
m mx cos 2 m y(1)
sin 2
the resisting torsional moment per
unit length measured along the
axis mis:
m x cos sin m y cos sin

(2)
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
An isotropically reinforced slab is one in
which the ultimate moment per unit
length of the slab is the same in two
orthogonal directions
If a slab is isothropically reinforced with m x =
my = m, equations (1) and (2) become:
m m and m 0

Therefore the ultimate moment resistance in

an isotropically reinforced slabs in any
direction is the same.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
An orthotropically reinforced slab is
one in which the ultimate moment
per unit length of the slab is different
in the two orthogonal directions
If a slab is orthothropically reinforced
with mx = m and my = m, equations (1)
and (2) mbecome:
m(cos 2 sin 2 )

m m(1 ) sin cos

 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Effects of restrained corners
Corner lever is the effect of forking of
the yield line before reaching the
corner. To this effect the following
schematic sketches the resulting
yield pattern at the corners.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
H o g g i n g y i e ld li n e

U p li f t w h e n th e c o r n e r s a r e n o t C o r n e r s h e ld d o w n b u t n o t w e ll
h e ld o r f a s te n e d r e i n f o r c e d f o r n e g a ti v e m o m e n t
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs

Development of corner levers in a simply

 Chapter 1 Yield Line
m=0 Analysis for slabs
m=
m/4

m=
m/2
m=
m
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
The triangular segment fails to form
when the negative reinforcement is
large and hence, the simple diagonal
yield line in to the corner is correct
with out modification.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Slabs with more than one variable
So far the slabs consider have only one
variable dimension which defines the yield
line mechanism. When the slab has more
than one variable, the work equation,
together with equations obtained by
differentiating with respect to each
unknown, give the necessary expressions
to obtain solution. This can be illustrated
using the following example.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
L

(1 - 1)L

1L

2L (1 -2 2)L 2L
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
In this case first develop suitable
expression from the work relation for
wu in terms of 1 & 2. Then

wu wu
and
0 0
1 2

Will provide two additional equations

to make the problem solvable.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Advantages of yield line theory
It is a powerful analytical tool.
It can be used for slabs of any shape,
supported in a variety of ways.
Concentrated, UD and partially
distributed loads can be considered.
The effects of holes of any size can
be included.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
Limitations of yield line theory
If the selected failure mechanism is not the
controlling one or the location of the YL are not
exactly correct, it may predict a collapse load
greater than the true collapse load. Unsafe !!
The slab section has to be checked for the
adequateness of rotation capacity.
It is presumed that premature failure will not
occur due to shear or torsion and the cracking
and deflections at service loads will not be
excessive.
 Chapter 1 Yield Line
Analysis for slabs
References
Nilson, Darwin and Doran, Design of
Concrete Structures, 14th Edition, 2010,
Chapter 14.
MacGregor and Wight, Reinforced
Concrete, Mechanics and Design, 6th
Edition, 2012, Chapter 14.