Yield mechanisms of a bent cantilever beam subjected to a suddenly applied constant out-of-plane tip force

Previous studies of the out-of-plane deformation of a bent cantilever under a step load applied at its tip have shown that the validity of the deformation mechanism is governed by certain geometrical restrictions. Single and double hinge mechanisms have been proposed previously and the present paper shows that the family of possible mechanisms can be expanded and completed by introducing new double and triple-hinge mechanisms. With the aid of these mechanisms, it is shown that the initial deformation mode can be derived for any bent cantilever regardless of the magnitude of the applied force and the geometry of the beam.