Static deformation theory of elastoplastic structures can be applied only if the magnitude of loading is less than the plastic collapse force $F_c$. However, with impact or explosive blast loading, the structure can be subjected to an intense but short-duration force pulse that exceeds the plastic collapse force and initiates structural collapse. In this paper, the dynamic response of a rigid-perfectly plastic cantilever subject to intense impact loading is examined in terms of the plastic collapse force. When a step loading is applied, the motion of the beam is calculated and analyzed through the non-dimensionalization of variables. It is concluded that the motion of a beam can be characterized as a function of the nondimensionalized force parameter, $f{equiv}F/F_c$, where $F_c$ represents the critical force for plastic collapse. This result is used to the analysis of the beam motion subject to rectangular force pulse.