Nonlinear analyses of steel beams and arches using virtual unit moments and effective rigidity

This study examined geometric and physical nonlinear analyses of beams and arches specifically from rolled profiles used in mining and underground constructions. These profiles possess the ability to create plastic hinges owing to their robustness. It was assumed that displacements in beams and arches fabricated from these profiles were comparable with the size of the structure. It also considered changes in the shape of a rod cross-section and the nonlinearities of the structure. The analyses were based on virtual unit moments, effective flexural rigidity of used open sections, and a secant method. The use of the approach led to a solution for the "after-critical" condition in which deformation increased with decreases in loads. The solution was derived for static determinate beams and static indeterminate arches. The results were compared with results obtained in other experimental tests and methods.