The main aim of this lecture is to introduce concepts, theorems and methods for plastic analysis and design of skeletal structures. Six methods based on safe and unsafe theorems will be introduced through solved problems. The students can either take the final exam or alternatively work on a research project. The topics of the projects will be introduced at the beginning of the lecture. These topics will be related to plastic analysis and design of specific structures.

Basic concepts and definitions; Simple beams and frames-derivation of plastic load factor; Fundamental theorems of plastic analysis and design; General methods of plastic analysis and design; Non-conventional structures; Deflections and stability; Assumptions and aims of the plastic design; Topological formulation of plastic analysis and design; Meta-heuristic algorithms for optimal plastic analysis and design.