Simplified methods for prediction of elastic-plastic behaviour of complex structures with repeated structural units

This paper reviews a range of simplified and approximate techniques developed and implemented by the authors in the context of elastic-plastic, elastic-creep and elastic-plastic-creep, monotonic loading of both simple components and complex structures. The primary motivation for the work is to provide more rapid methods for estimating failure variables for damage assessment of structures. The context of the work has included both aerospace structures and tubular frameworks, such as offshore jacket-type structures, both of which belong to a class of structures, which contain repeated units where localised plastic damage may be concentrated.