Post-failure behaviour of box section beams under pure bending (an experimental study)

The results of a program of experiments set up to explore the post-failure behaviour of box section beams subjected to pure bending are presented. Rectangular and trapezoidal cross-section beams were loaded up to and beyond collapse in a four-point bending configuration. Load–deflection graphs were recorded and the details of the observed plastic collapse mechanisms were noted. Experimental collapse curves are compared with those derived from theoretical models of plastic collapse mechanisms based upon rigid–plastic theory.