On the theory of limit loads (Q1083258)

The theory of limit loads makes use of certain conditions imposed on the yield surface. It is usually assumed that the zero stresses lie strictly within it and(or) that the yield surface is bounded. These conditions, however, are not satisfied in some cases (e.g. for perfectly free-flowing media the yield surface has the form of a cone with the apex at zero). It is shown that the basic assertions concerning the limit load remain valid also in many cases when the above conditions are not satisfied. However, the assertions will then not hold for all loads, but for a certain (wide) class described. At the same time, the assertions may not be valid for other loads, e.g. the kinematic method yields only a trivial upper estimate for the load reserve coefficient. The corresponding example given shows that the constraints usually imposed on the yield surface are essential from the point of satisfying the known assertions as applied to all loads.