On dimensionless numbers for dynamic plastic response of structural members

Summary A dimensional analysis is reported for the dynamic plastic response and failure of structural members, which includes material strain hardening, strain rate and temperature effects. Critical shear failure conditions are also discussed based on the dimensional analysis results. It is shown that the response number R _n proposed in [3], is an important independent dimensionless number for the dynamic plastic bending and membrane response of structural members. However, additional dimensionless numbers are necessary when transverse shear, strain hardening, strain rate, and temperature effects are important. Received 22 February 1999; accepted for publication 15 June 1999