Based upon refined plastic-hinge method treatment methods of calculation unit,second-order effects,plastic growth of cross-section,residual stress,primary geometric defects and other nonlinear factors are discussed.

The refined plastic-hinge method is one of the simplified advanced analysis methods.

For the purpose of refined plastic hinge analysis of 3-D steel frames,a spatial beam-column element considering the shear deformation effects is presented,which can account for the gradual yielding of the section and the reduction of the element stiffness due to distributed plasticity resulted from residual stresses.

Simplified calculation for the externally prestressed beam based on the plastic hinge;

Nonlinear finite element analysis of reinforced concrete eccentricbeam-column joints with spread-ended beams and the study of plastic hinge;

An improved calculation method for stirrup ratios in plastic hinge regions of concrete piers by using RBF neural network;

By adoption of yield line theory, the author analyses the bearing capacity of square slabs reinforced with carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) or steel strips and improves Zhang Jiwen s yield line pattern.

Based on the result, the authors put forward the yield line distribution trait:leaning direction of the yield line is within the interval (0°,45°].

The yield line pattern and strength of the plated RC slabs subjected to a uniformly distributed load are analyzed and calculated by employing yield line method,and furthermore,a practical design procedure and corresponding designing tables are also proposed.