Accuracies of Finite Beam Element in Prediction of Inelastic Material Behaviors

Abstract

This paper presents an evaluation of accuracies of a plastic hinge (PH) beam element and a spread plastic (SP) beam element for structural material nonlinear analysis. The cases of beam sectional material behavior under hardening and softening are investigated. The result shows that post-yielding response of member nodal force and deformation presented by the PH element is strongly influenced by the preset hinge length. The refined mesh of the SP element should be employed to obtain the accurate post-yielding response of member nodal force and deformation. The SP element fails to present consistent and rational evaluation of the post-yielding response of member nodal force and deformation in the case of section under softening. The two elements present consistent response of section force and deformation but different maximum curvatures.