Civil Engineering Association

Plastic Theory of Structures

"The plastic theory of structures," the author writes, "is an essential complement to elastic theory. The readily applied forms of either theory depend on idealized mathematical models both of the material properties and of the fabricated nature of the structure. By applying each theory in turn to the same structure, a much better overall picture is obtained of the stability, rigidity, and strength than is possible by applying either theory on its own."

Plastic theory is used as the basis of design for the majority of single-story rigid frames and is being increasingly applied to multistory frames. An important feature of the theory is the extent to which intuitive ideas of structural behavior may be used to solve problems. In this text, Professor Horne employs this method to explain the principles involved. He backs up the intuitive approach by formal statements and proofs of theorems and explains the methods of plastic analysis. Methods which are of value in design applications and are suited primarily to hand calculations are emphasized, but methods suitable for computer application are also included. Relevant problems are given at the end of each chapter with answers at the end of the book.