Abstract:The lumped plastic hinge model is often used to simulate the nonlinearity of beam-columns elements, but there are many realization algorithms for it. The lumped plastic hinge element model proposed based on the finite element flexibility method is in a system without rigid body displacement. The theory and algorithm are derived according to the relation between the section and the deformation at the elastic beam element and the plastic hinge, and are implemented in the framework of object-oriented finite element program solution. To verify the accuracy and reliability of this element model, a nonlinear analysis of typical cases is conducted using this model. And the analysis results, the simulated values of commercial software SAP2000 and MIDAS are compared with the theoretical values for lateral displacement and rotation angle respectively. The result shows that this element model is convenient to model and has a simple algorithm, which is easy to integrate into the finite element analysis program and can be used together with ordinary beam elements to form components, and can be used to analyze the nonlinear problems of bridge piers, frame beams and columns.