Two steel rods of equal length are supported and loaded as shown in Figure P4.5. Rod AB is...

Two steel rods of equal length are supported and loaded as shown in Figure P4.5. Rod AB is elastic–perfectly plastic and has yield strength YAB = 250 MPa. Rod BC is assumed to remain elastic. Both rods have cross-sectional area A = 25 mm2 and E = 200 GPa. A horizontal load P is applied at B. Load P is initially zero and increases to 20 kN. From that point, the load is slowly cycled from 20 kN to −20 kN to 20 kN. Construct a load P versus displacement u curve for the system.

FIGURE P4.5