Large dynamic plastic deflection of a simply supported beam subjected to rectangular pressure pulse

This paper concerns the dynamic behaviour of rigid, perfectly plastic simply supported beams with finite deflections by considering both bending moments and axial forces. In the case of rectangular pressure pulse loading, approximate rigid-plastic theoretical solutions are obtained for both medium load and high load; to this end a parabolic law between bending moment and axial force as yield condition is approximated by a circumscribing or an inscribing rectangle. The concept of Saturation Impulse is put forward for the dynamic response of rigid, perfectly plastic structures with finite deflections subjected to rectangular pressure pulse. The value of dimensionless saturation impulse for both simply supported and fully clamped beams are given.