YIELD LINE ANALYSIS

Energy Method
1. Determine the ultimate moment of a square isotropic slab simply
supported on three sides and subjected to a uniform load q per unit
area.
Solution:
l

Part-1
1

m
Part-3

Part-2

l/2

b
1

l/2

m
2

l/2

l/2

I =
Internal work done

=External work done

I = E
For part 1,

Tan 1

1
x

, For small deflection Tan is equal (Small-angle

approximation)

1
= x

1
l
2

2
l

Page 1 of 25

Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I=( m+m' ) l
l

= Projected length of yield line on axis of rotation of that region

(m)
= Angle of rotation of slab panel (rad)
I1

I 3 =I 2

1
x

ml
x

xlx

2
l

m1 x l x

m2

Internal work done,

2m
1

ml
x

E1 + E2 + E3

4m
1

l
= m[ x + 4]
External work done,

It is equal to resultant on each part multiplied by the vertical

displacement of its point of application.
External work done (

E1

) for part-1

1
1
E1=q x x x x l x
2
3

qxl
6

External work done (

E3E 2

) for part-3 or part-2

E3=E 2= One Triangle +One Rectangle

1
l 1
l
1
E3=E 2=q x x x x x +q x x ( lx ) x
2
2 3
2
2
qxl ql(lx )
= 12 +
4
Page 2 of 25

External work done,

qxl
6

qxl
+ 6

q l2
2

q l2
2

qxl
6

2[

qxl ql ( lx )
+
]
12
4

qxl
2

qxl
6

1 x
ql 2 ( )
2 6l

I = E
l
m[ + 4] =
x

1 x
ql 2 ( )
2 6l
q l 2( 3l x)
= 6l( l + 4)
x

q l (3l x) x
6 l (l +4 x )

ql(3l x) x
6(l+ 4 x)

The maximum value of m is obtained when

dm
=0,
dx

( 6 l+ 24 x )( 3 l2 x )=( 3lx x 2)(24)

18 l2 12lx+72 lx48 x 2=72lx24 x 2
2

18 l 12lx24 x =0
x=

(12 l) (12l)24 (24)(18 l 2)

2(24)

= 1.15 l0.65l , Value of

cant be negative

Page 3 of 25

m=

ql (3 l0.65 l)(0.65l)
6 {l+4 ( 0.65 l ) }

ql 2
14.1

2. Consider the isotropic slab with an opening which is simply supported

along the edge AB, built-in along edge BC and CD and supported on a
column at E as shown in figure below. The edges DE, EF and AF are free
and the effect of column size can be ignored. The slab is subjected to a
uniformly distributed load q (KN/m 2) throughout and a live load intensity
p=0.9 qb (KN/m) acting on the free edge AF. Assume that m=2m (KNm/m). Where m and m are the sagging (positive) and hogging (negative)
ultimate moments of resistance per unit length respectively. If a yield line
pattern during collapse is proposed as shown in figure, apply the virtual
work method to determine the optimum value and hence the ultimate
moment m of the slab for b=2.5m and q=12 KN/m2 .
B

UDL=q

Part-2
3b

p=0.9 bq
Part-1
P

Part-3
I F
G
Part-4
E

1.5b

m'=2 m

b=2.5 m

Part-5
H
b

q=12 KN /m

4b

Solution:
EH=b

Page 4 of 25

KJ=1.5b-b=b(1.5-)
JC=4b
BK=b
HD=3b
Assume max displacement of 1 unit along IF

1
Part-1

1
b

tan 2
Part-2

1
3b

1
3b

3
Similarly

4 5

1
1

HD 3b

1
1
1

EH EF b

m=2m
I (m m' )l

Internal work done

m = Sagging ultimate moment (+ve)
m= Hogging ultimate moment (-ve)
i.e on fixed support only.
Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I 4 + I5

I =( m+m' ) l
I 1 =m x 3 b x

1
b

Page 5 of 25

3m

m
( ' ) (5.5 b ) x

1
1
+m x ( 4 + ) b x
3b
3b
I 2 =

11 m 4 m m
+
+
3
3
3

15 m+ m
3
m+m
1
3b

( ' ) ( 4 b ) x
I 3=

12 m
3

m+m
1
b
I 4=I 5=

( ' ) x b x

3m

Internal work done,

=

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I 4 + I5

3m
15 m+m
12 m
3m + 3m
+
+

3
3 +

3
15+
= +
+10]
3
m
External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4 + E 5

1
1
1
E1=q x x b x 3 b x +0.9 qb x b x +0.9 qb(1.5) b
2
3
2

Page 6 of 25

3 q b
+0.45 q b 2+1.35 q b20.9 q b 2
6

0.05 q b +1.35 q b

1
1
1
1
E2=0.5 q b 2+ q x ( 1.5 ) b x 3 b x +q x b x 3 bx + q x x 3 b x 3 b x
2
2
2
3
=

0.5 q b2 +2.25 q b 21.5 q b2 +1.5 q b2 +1.5 q b 2

5.25 q b2 q b2

E3=1.5 q b2 +q x 3 b x b x
2

1
2

= 1 .5 q b +1 .5 q b

2b/3

2
= 3 qb

b/3

CG

a
a/3

2a/3

Axis of rotation pass through column

Page 7 of 25

1/3

2/3

Part-2
CG
Part-3
CG

F
G
Part-4
E

Part-5
H

2/3

1/3

1
2
E4 =E5=q x x b x b x
2
3
2
= 0.33 q b

External work done,

=
qb

0.05 q b +1.35 q b

E1 + E2 + E3
2

+
2

+ 5.25 q b q b

E4 + E 5

+3 q b

+0.33 q b

+0.33

2
2
= 10.27 q b 0.95 q b

q b 2 [10.270.95 ]

I = E
3
15+
+
+10] =
3
m
m=

q b 2 [10.270.95 ]

q b2 [10.270.95 ]
3 15+
+
+10

Page 8 of 25

The maximum value of m is obtained when

3 15+
( +
+10)(0.95) =

(10.270.95 )(

dm
=0,
d

3 1
+ )
2
3

2.85
30.81
2.85
4.75.32 9.5=
+ 3.42+
0.32
2

30.81 5.7

17.67=0

2
30.815.7 17.67 2=0
=

5.7 (5.7)24(30.81)(17.67)
2(17.67)

= -1.49 or 1.17, Value of

cant be negative

12(2.5)2 [10.270.95(1.17)]
m=
3 15+1.17
+
+10
1.17
3
= 38.26 KN-m/m

3. Determine the ultimate moment and find out the optimum value of
for the given pattern of yield line as shown in Fig. 2

m' =2 m
UDL=q

Part-3
Part-4
Part-2

0.75b

Solution:

b
Fig. 2

Part-1

Part-5

H
b

D
b

Page 9 of 25

Assume maximum vertical displacement=1 along MN

Then find deflections at F and E (
Displacement at E and F ,

1= 5=

2 4

F E

E = F =

) by similar triangles method

b
1
=
b+ b 1+

F
0.75b

1
1

b b (1 )b

1
b

Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I 4 + I5

I =( m+m' ) l
I 1 =I 5=m x b x

mxbx

F
0.75b

1
0.75 b(1+ )

m
0.75(1+ )

1.33 m
1+
m+m
1
b ( 1+ )
I 2=I 4=

( ' ) x 1.75 b x

5.25 m
1+

Page 10 of 25

I 3 =m x 2(b+b) x

1
b

2 (1+ ) m

Internal work done,

2

= 2

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I 4 + I5

1.33 m 5.25 m
+
+2 ( 1+ ) m
1+
1+

2
1.33 m+5.25 m 2(1+ ) m
+
1+
(1+ )

2
6.58 m 2(1+ 2 + ) m
2
+
=
1+
(1+ )

13.16 m+2 m+ 4 m +2 m 2
=
1+

( 15.16+4 +2 2 ) m

1+

External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4 + E 5

1
1
1
E1=E 5=q x x 0.75 b x b x
x
2
1+ 3
0.125 q b2
1+

1
1
1
1
1
E2=E 4=q x x 0.75 b x b x
x +q x x b x (1+ ) b x
2
1+ 3
2
3
2

0.125 q b
+ 0.17 q b2 +0.17 q b 2
1+

1
1
1
E3=2 q x x b x (1+ ) b x +q x (12 ) b xbx
2
3
2

Page 11 of 25

( 1+ ) q b2 (12 ) q b 2
+
=
3
2
2

= 0.33 q b + 0.33 q b +0.5 q b q b

2
2
= 0.83 q b 0.67 q b

External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4 + E 5

2( 0.125 q b2 )
0.125 q b2
+2
+ 0.17 q b 2+0.17 q b2 +0.83 q b 20.67 q b 2
1+
1+

0.5 q b2
+1.17 q b20.33 q b 2
1+

q b2
= 1+ [0.5+1.17 ( 1+ ) 0.33 ( 1+ ) ]
2

qb
2
= 1+ [1.67 +0.84 0.33 ]

I = E
( 15.16+4 +2 2 ) m
1+

Therefore,

m=

qb
[1.67+0.84 0.33 2 ]
1+

q b2 [1.67+0.84 0.33 2]
( 15.16+4 +2 2 )

The maximum value of m is obtained when

dm
=0,
d

( 15.16+ 4 + 2 2 ) ( 0.840.66 )=[1.67+ 0.84 0.33 2](4 +4 )

12.7310.01 + 3.36 2.64 2+1.68 21.32 3=6.68+6.68 +3.36 +3.36 21.32 21.32 3
6.0516.69 3 2=0

Page 12 of 25

16.69 (16.69)24 (6.05)(3)

=
2(3)
= -5.9 or 0.34, Value of
m=

cant be negative

q b2 [1.67+0.84 (0.34)0.33(0.34)2 ]
2
[15.16+ 4(0.34)+2 ( 0.34 ) ]

=0.1145 q b

KN m/m

4. Consider an isotropic slab with opening as shown in figure 1. The slab is

simply supported along edge CD, fixed support along edges AB and BC
and supported by a column at F. Edges AF, EF and DE are free. The slab is
subjected to uniformly distributed load q KN/m2 and line load along edge
DE with intensity, P=1.5qb (KN/m). Assume that m'= 2m (KN m/m) where
m and m' are positive and negative ultimate moments respectively. If the
proposed yield line fracture pattern is as shown below, determine the
ultimate moment resistance, m per unit length for the slab.

m'
Part-3

UDL=q

2.5b

m
m'

Part-2
E

m
Part-1

m L
m' Part-5

m Part-4
K

2b

m' =2 m
P=1.5 qb
q=10 KN /m2

C
3.5b

1.5b

b=2 m

Page 13 of 25

Solution:

Assume maximum displacement of 1 unit along line JK

Displacement at E
(5-2)b
3.5b

From similar triangles approach

1
E
3.5b

1 (5 - 2 )b

3.5
(5 - 2 )

E
3.5

b (5 - 2 )b

Rotations,
JK
1
2

(5 - 2 )b (5 - 2 )b
JK
1
3

(2.5b - b) (2.5 - )b
1
4
2b
1
5
b
Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I 4 + I5

I =( m+m' ) l
I 1 =m x 3.5 b x

E
b

m x 3.5 b x

3.5
(52 ) b

12.25 m
52

Page 14 of 25

m+ m
1
(
b 52 )
I 2=

( ') x 3.5 b x

10.5 m
52
'

I 3 =( m+m ) x 5 bx

15 m
2.5

I 4=( m+m ' ) xbx

1
( 2.5 ) b

1
2 b

3m
2

I 5 =( m+m ' ) x 2 bx

1
b

= 6m
Internal work done,
=

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I 4 + I5

12.25 m 10.5 m 30 m 3 m
+
+
+
+6 m
52 52 52 2
52.75 m 15 m
+
52
2

105.5 m+15 m(52 )

=
2(52 )
m
[90.2515 ]
= (52 )
External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4 + E 5

Page 15 of 25

1
3.5
1
1
3.5
E1=q x x 3.5 b x b x
x +1.5 qb x b x x
2
52 3
2 52
2

2.04 q b 2.625 q b
+
52
52

4.67 q b 2
52

E2=

2.04 q b2
1
1
1
+q x ( 52 ) b x b x + q x x (2.5 ) b x(52 ) b x
52
2
2
3

( 12.510 +2 2 ) q b 2
2.04 q b2
+2.5 q b2 2 q b2 +
52
6

2.04 q b
+2.08 q b2 +0.833 q b 20.67 2 q b2
52

E 3=

( 12.510 +2 2 ) q b2
6
2

+ q x 2 bx ( 2.5 ) b x

1
2
2

= 2.08 q b 1.67 q b +0.33 q b + 2.5 q b q b

=

2.08 q b2 +0.833 q b 20.67 2 q b2

1
2
E4 =q x x 2 b x b x
2
3
0.67 2 q b2
1
2
E5=q x x 2 b x b x
2
3
2

0.67 q b

External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4 + E 5

=
4.67 q b 2 2.04 q b2
+
+2.08 q b2 +0.833 q b 20.67 2 q b2 +2.08 q b2 +0.833 q b 20.67 2 q b2 +0.67 2 q b2 +0.
52
52

Page 16 of 25

2
= qb

6.71
+ 4.16+1.66 ]
52

qb
2
= 52 [6.71+20.88.32 +8.35 3.32 ]
q b2
2
= 52 [27.51+0.03 3.32 ]

I = E
m
[90.2515 ]=
(52 )

q b2
[27.51+0.03 3.32 2 ]
52

Therefore,

m=

q b [ 27.51+0.03 3.32 ]
[90.2515 ]

The maximum value of m is obtained when

dm
=0,
d

[90.2515 ] ( 0.036.64 )=[27.51+ 0.03 3.32 2 ](15)

2

1.805599.26 0.3 +99.6 =412.650.3 + 49.8

49.8 599.26 + 414.46=0

212.03 +8.32=0
=0.74

or 11.29,

Therefore

=0.74

10(2)2 [27.51+0.03( 0.74)3.32 ( 0.74 )2 ]

m=
[90.2515( 0.74)]
=13.0 KN m/m

5. Find the ultimate moment resistance, m per unit length for the slab
shown in figure.
Page 17 of 25

Find if m=2m, =0.2, b=2.0 m and q=20 KN/m2.

m'

Given,
1.5b

Part-3

m m'
Part-4

UDL=q

P=0.5 qb

(line load)

Part-2

m'

Part-1

(point load)

W =1.5 q b

m' =2 m

3b

1.5b

=0.2 m
b=2.0 m

q=20 KN /m2
Solution:
3

Assume maximum vertical displacement=1 along apex of part

Angle of rotation of each panel is

1
b

1
3b

1
1.5b

1
b

Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I4

I =( m+m' ) l

Page 18 of 25

I 1 =(m+m' ) x 3 b x

1
b

9m

I 2 =m x (1.5+ )b x

1
3b

0.5 m+ 0.33 m

I 3 =m ( 3+ ) b x

1
1
+ m' (4.5 b)
1.5 b
1.5 b

2 m+0.67 m+ 6 m

8 m+ 0.67 m

I 4=(m+ m') x 1.5 b x

1
b

4.5 m

Internal work done,

=

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I4

9m
4.5 m
+0.5 m+ 0.33 m+8 m+ 0.67 m+

9 4.5
= m[ + +0.33 +0.67 + 8.5]
External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4

1
1
1
E1=q x x 3 b x b x + 0.5 qbx b x +0.5 qb x (1 ) bx 1+ 1.5q b2 x 1
2
3
2
=

0.5 q b2+ 0.25 q b 2+ 0.5 q b20.5 q b2 +1.5 q b 2

0.25 q b 2+ 2.0 q b2

Page 19 of 25

1
1
1
E2=0.5 q b2 +qx ( 1 ) bx 3 b x + q x x 3 b x 1.5b x
2
2
3
2

0.5 q b +1.5 q b 1.5 q b +0.75 q b

2
2
=2 .25 q b q b

1
1
1
2
E3=0.75 q b +q x (1.5 ) b x 1.5 bx + q x x 1.5 bx bx
2
2
3
2
2
2
2
= 0.75 q b +1.125 q b 0.75 q b +0.25 q b
2

1.875 q b 0.5 q b

E4 =0.25 q b2
External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4

0.25 q b 2+ 2.0 q b2 +2.25 q b 2q b2 +1.875 q b20.5 q b2 +0.25 q b2

6.125 q b2 0.75 q b 20.25 q b2

2
= q b [6.1250.75 0.25 ]

I = E
9 4.5
m[ +
+0.33 +0.67 + 8.5]=q b2 [6.1250.75 0.25 ]

2

Therefore,

m=

q b [ 6.1250.75 0.25 ]
4.5
[ 53.57+
+0.67 ]

q b [5.9750.25 ]
2
53.57 + 4.5+0.67

The maximum value of m is obtained when

dm
=0,
d

( 53.57 + 4.5+0.67 2 ) ( 5.9750.5 )=[5.975 0.25 2 ](53.57+1.34 )

Page 20 of 25

320.08 26.79 +26.892.25 + 4 .34 =320.08 +8.01 13.39 0.34

17.41 22.25 +26.89=0

=

2.25 (2.25)24 (26.89)(17.41)

2(17.41)

= 1.17 or -1.31, Value of

cant be negative

m=

20(2) [ 5.9750.25 ( 1.17 ) ] 1.17

2

53.57(1.17)+ 4.5+0.67(1.17)

=7.81 KN m/m

6 Determine optimum value of moment resistance and , if =1, b=2.5m

and q=15 KN/m2
C

B
Part-3

1.8b

UDL=q
P=0.8 qb

(line load)

Part-4
Part-2

W
E

(point

Part-1
F
2.5b

W =1.5 q b

D
b

load)
A

1.5b

m' =2 m

Solution
Assume point E has a virtual downward displacement of =1 along apex
of part 3
Page 21 of 25

1
b

1
2.5b

1
1.8b

1
b

Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I4

I =( m+m' ) l
I 1 =m x 2.5b x

1
b

2.5 m

I 2 =m x (1.8+ ) b x

1
1
+m' (2.8 b) x
2.5 b
2.5 b

0.72 m+

m
+2.24 m
2.5

2.96 m+

m
2.5

I 3 =m ( 2.5+ ) b x

1
1
+ m' (4.0 b)
1.8 b
1.8 b

1.39 m+

m
+ 4.44 m
1.8

5.83 m+

m
1.8

Page 22 of 25

I 4=m x 1.8 b x

1
b

1.8 m

Internal work done,

I 1 + I 2+ I 3

I4

2.5 m
m
m 1.8 m
+ 2.96 m+
+5.83 m+
+
=

2.5
1.8

2.5
1.8
m[
+
+
+
+8.79]
=
2.5 1.8

External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4

1
1
1
2
E1=q x x 2.5 b x b x + 0.8 qbx b x +0.8 qb x (1 ) bx 1+ 1.5 q b x 1
2
3
2
=

0.42 q b 2+ 0.4 q b2+ 0.8 q b2 0.8 q b 2+1.5 q b2

0.02 q b +2.3 q b

1
1
1
E2=0.42 q b2 +qx ( 1 ) bx 2.5 b x + q x x 2.5 b x 1.8 b x
2
2
3
=

0.42 q b 2+1.25 q b21.25 q b2 +0.75 q b 2

2
2
=2 .0 q b 0.83 q b

1
1
1
2
E3=0.75 q b +q x (1.5 ) b x 1.8 bx + q x x 1.8 bx bx
2
2
3
2

= 0.75 q b +1.35 q b 0.9 q b +0.3 q b

=

2.1 q b20.6 q b2

E3=0.3 q b2
External work done,

E1 + E2 + E3

E4

Page 23 of 25

0.02 q b +2.3 q b + 2 .0 q b 0.83 qb

6.4 q b 20.81 q b20.3 q b 2

+ 2.1 q b 0.6 q b +0.3 q b

2
= q b [6.40.81 0.3 ]

I = E
2.5
1.8
2
+
+
+
+8.79]=q b [ 6.40.81 0.3 ]
2.5 1.8

m[

Therefore ultimate moment resistance,

2

m=

q b [6.40.81 0.3 ]
2.5
1.8
[
+
+
+
+8.79]
2.5 1.8

For, =1, b=2.5m and q= 15 KN/m2

m=

q b2 [6.40.81 0.3 ]
2.5
1.8
[
+
+
+
+8.79]
2.5 1.8
2

q b [5.590.3 ]

1.8
+11.69+
1.8

q b [10.060.54 ]
2 +21.04 +3.24

The maximum value of m is obtained when

dm
=0,
d

( 21.04 +3.24+ 2 ) ( 10.061.08 )=[10.06 0.54 2] (21.04+2 )

211.66 22.72 2+32.593.50 + 10.06 21.08 3=211.66 +20.12 211.36 21.08 3
21.42 23.5 + 32.59=0

3.5 (3.5)24 (32.59)(21.42)

2(21.42)

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= 1.15 or -1.32, Value of

cant be negative

m=

15(2.5) [ 10.060.54 ( 1.15 ) ] 1.15

2

21.04 (1.15)+ 3.24+( 1.15)

=35.39 KN m/m

Page 25 of 25