The influence of material properties on plastic hinge rotational capacity and strength

In this article the effects of standardised material stress-strain behaviours on plastic hinge length, moment and rotational capacity are investigated using a specially developed computer program. Material properties are described using three standard post-yield stress-strain characteristics, as given in the Dutch steel code. Two cross-sections are inciuded in this study, an HE 140 A and an IPE 140. The static system and loading investigated is a simple-span beam subjected to three point loading. The influence of residual stresses are taken into account based upon simplified models given in the Dutch steel code. To indicate clearly the inftuence of material stress-strain behaviour, the effects of local and global instabilitïes, bad introduction widths and shear are not taken into account in the model