A MODIFIED ELASTIC COMPENSATION METHOD FOR THE COMPUTATION OF LIMIT LOADS

To reduce the relatively large computational errors of the elastic compensation method (ECM) for complicated structures, a modified elastic compensation method (MECM) is developed by introducing an adjustable factor f. This method improves the precision of the ECM and preserves the advantages of simplicity and high efficiency. Three representative examples are calculated here. The results are compared with those of the elastic-plastic analysis method (EPAM) and the twice elastic slope method (TESM). It is found that the MECM can provide good estimations of plastic limit loads for complex structures.