Shear hinges are modeled to account for inelastic shear behavior. Shear hinges are most useful for link beams which resist lateral load, and do not support gravity load. When gravity load is present, a recommendation is to replace distributed loading with equivalent concentrated loading at element joints.
Another recommendation is to avoid placing shear hinges at either end of a member. Only one shear hinge is necessary. Once a shear hinge begins yielding, capacity begins decreasing, and load is redistributed. If a second hinge then fails, the member will no longer be able to transfer the lateral loading applied between hinge locations. Gravity load must be carried during nonlinear analysis.
CSI
[_Analysis Reference Manual_] will stop analysis if gravity load cannot be redistributed.
When using shear hinges, please keep in mind that once shear capacity is exceeded, the model will not provide any further useful information. There is no sense in continuing with analysis since shear connections must be modified. Once shear capacity is increased, analysis may proceed toward more ductile response mechanisms.