Plastic hinge

Not to be confused with living hinge.
Diagram of a structure featuring plastic hinges

In the structural engineering beam theory, plastic hinge is the deformation of a section of a beam where plastic bending occurs.[1] In earthquake engineering plastic hinge is also a type of energy damping device allowing plastic rotation [deformation] of an otherwise rigid column connection.[2]

  1. ^ Megson, T.H.G. (2005-04-29). Structural and Stress Analysis, Second Edition (2 ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann. ISBN 0-7506-6221-2.
  2. ^ Analysis of Rotational Column with Plastic Hinge Michael Long and Corey Bergad, retrieved November 5, 2006