Inelastic design of load carrying members part 3; significance of inelastic analysis of eccentrically loaded members

The author has worked with others on ten investigations, sponsored by Wright Air Development Division, which have considered the theoretical and experimental inelastic analyses of eccentrically-loaded tension and compression members. In all cases good agreement was found between theory and experiment for numbers tested at room temperature and at elevated temperatures. This investigation was undertaken to consider the significance of an inelastic analysis of eccentrically-loaded members. If the inelastic deformation be considered time independent, a choice has to be made between an elastic and an inelastic solution. A study was made of the effect of several variables on the ratio of the load necessary to produce a specified inelastic deformation to the maximum elastic load. If the inelastic deformation is time dependent (creep), the only choice is an inelastic solution.Wright Air Development Division, Contract No. AF 33 (616)-5658, Project No. 735