This book emphasizes a plastic analysis method based on the
hinge by hinge concept. Frames of any degree of complexity can be
analyzed plastically using this method. This method is based on the
elastoplastic analysis procedure where a linear elastic analysis, performed
either manually or by computers, is used between the formation
of consecutive plastic hinges. The results of the linear elastic
analysis are used in a proforma created in a spreadsheet environment
where the next plastic hinge formation can be predicted automatically
and the corresponding culmulative forces and deflections calculated.
In addition, a successive approximation method is described to take
account of the effect of force interaction on the evaluation of the collapse
load of a structure. This method can be performed using results
from analysis obtained from most commercially available computer
programs.