Automatic collapse load analysis of regular plane frames using the force method
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Spiliopoulos, KV
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Souliotis, PG
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The limit analysis of regular plane frames consisting of meshes of strictly four members is considered. The inherent difficulty of the force method for automatic geometric data generation is overcome by developing an algorithm which is used to provide a statical basis. Using a shortest path technique between two points of an undirected graph, consecutive cycles are found whose check for independence is done by fictitiously increasing the lengths of the cycle's members. Equilibrium with applied loads is satisfied by the use of cantilevers that coincide with the shortest path of each load to the ground. Examples of application are given. (C) 1997 Civil-Comp Ltd and Elsevier Science Ltd.
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