In a previous companion paper (Part I: A Plastic Hinge Approach), adaptive elasto-plastic analysis of space frames was discussed in the context of a plastic hinge approach. The present paper extends the concept of automatic mesh refinement to deal with accurate elasto-plastic large displacement analysis accounting for the spread of yield within structural members. This is achieved through the u...

This is one of two companion papers presenting new procedures for the efficient largedisplacement analysis of steel frames in the elasto-plastic range. Emphasis is given in this paper to the development and improvement of a plastic hinge approach utilizing the concept of adaptive mesh refinement. In the companion paper, such a concept is discussed in the context of a more accurate approach acco...

This paper presents a detailed study of the folding and deployment of a slotted tube hinge made from a two-ply laminate of carbon-fibre reinforced plastic. A physical model of a particular version of this hinge has been used to carry out quasi-static deployment tests and this process has been fully captured through a finite element simulation. The first stage in this simulation was to generate ...

Plastic hinge models are widely used in earthquake engineering to predict the load-deformation relationships of reinforced concrete members. For the seismic assessment of bridges, it is appealing to use those relatively simple models if the response is predicted with sufficient accuracy. The applicability of these models to wall-type bridge piers with weak seismic detailing is examined. Flexura...

This report presents a study of a recently proposed low-cost hinge for deployable spacecraft appendages. The hinge consists of one or more pairs of steel carpenter tapes (tape springs) connected to a rolling hinge made from plastic " wheels " connected by steel cables (Rolamite). This hinge is known as Tape-Spring Rolamite (TSR) hinge. The report includes: a brief review of the relevant backgro...