Homogeneous generalized yield criterion based elastic modulus reduction method for limit analysis of thin-walled structures with angle steel

•Bad accuracy is found by using present elastic modulus adjustment procedure.•A homogeneous generalized yield criterion (HGYC) is proposed for angle section.•A HGYC based elastic modulus reduction method for limit analysis is presented.•Limit load may be overestimated by only considering one force component.•Efficiency and stability are compared between presented and other methods.

A homogeneous generalized yield criterion (HGYC) expressed by piecewise polynomial is given for angle section. The element bearing ratio (EBR), reference EBR, and uniformity of EBR are defined in term of the HGYC. Then, a HGYC based elastic modulus reduction method for limit analysis of thin-walled structures with angle steel is presented based on the modulus adjustment strategy established on the EBR and the conservation criterion of energy. The method proposed can overcome the disadvantage of the conventional elastic modulus adjustment procedure where the nonhomogeneous generalized yield criterion is employed and the proportional loading condition is not satisfied.