Experiments on the rotational capacity of beams made of high-strength steel

The rotational capacity of beams made of high-strength steel grades S700 and S960 was investigated within the scope of the RUOSTE research project, which was partly funded by the RFCS. Beams made of high-strength steel are supposed to have a lower rotational capacity, and are thus excluded from plastic/plastic design according to [1], [2]. Although the strain hardening of high-strength steel material is generally lower than that of mild steels, for some structures with discrete plastic hinges, the rotational capacity might be still sufficient to reach the respective cross-section classification. In the research presented here, eight tests on beams in bending were carried out to assess the limit of cross-section class 1 for high-strength steel.