How do you choose the best shape factor for plastic design of beams?
Plastic design of beams is a method of designing steel structures that allows for redistribution of internal forces and moments after the beam reaches its yield stress. This way, the beam can utilize its full plastic capacity and avoid premature failure due to local buckling or instability. However, not all beam cross-sections are equally efficient in plastic design. The shape factor is a parameter that measures how well a beam section can resist plastic bending compared to an ideal rectangular section. In this article, you will learn how to choose the best shape factor for plastic design of beams, and what factors affect its value and performance.