An elastic-plastic analysis of a bar under repeated axial loading

Abstract An elastic-perfectly plastic analysis of a bar under repeated axial loading is herein presented. The bar is taken as a one-dimensional continuum with both ends simply supported. The plastic interaction is considered for the combined action of bending and axial deformation, based on a piecewise-linear yield condition. The solution is derived in a closed form, and can describe the hysteretic behavior of a bar, such as a structural brace or a truss member, under any given history of tension and/or compression or of corresponding displacements. An example is illustrated, and some implications of the analytical results are discussed. The paper is concluded with critical comments on the basic assumptions adopted in the course of the analysis.