Limit load analysis is usually performed by the interpretation of stress redistribution using either linear elastic or inelastic methods. Several redistribution iterations are required to achieve an accurate estimate of the limit load. In this paper the reference volume method is illustrated and shown to be effective in finding the limit load using few linear elastic redistribution iterations. The reference volume is based on the concept of using a part of the volume of the component that is undergoing plastic deformation. The method is applied to a number of problems illustrating different cases of reference volumes to verify the analysis procedure.
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