ABSTRACT
Design for ULS is concerned with safety and this means ensuring that the ultimate load of the structure is at least equal to the design ultimate load. The theoretical principles used in design at ULS are based on classical theory of plasticity which was developed for the design of steel structures with unlimited ductility. Fig. 13.1 shows the moment−curvature relationship for a steel section. As can be seen, once the ultimate or plastic moment capacity is reached, for further changes in curvature and hence increasing deformation, the moment capacity is maintained provided that the compression flanges do not buckle.
