ABSTRACT
Abstract The paper deals with the determining of the plastic rotational capacity of I steel sections. This rotation is limited by the local flange and web buckling. The method of predicting the moment-rotation curve of a locally buckled element is developed using a collapse mechanism formed by plastic zones and yielding lines. A specialized program DUCTROT-93 is developed for determining the ultimate plastic rotation. The comparison of theoretical values obtained using this program, theoretical values determinated with FEM procedure, and experimental-results shows a good correspondence. Keywords : Ductility, Flange width-thickness ratio, Localbuckling, Plastic buckling, Plastic rotation, Plastic rotation capacity, Rigid-plastic mechanism, Web width - thickness ratio.
