Tests on ferritic stainless steel simply supported and continuous SHS and RHS beams

Development of efficient design guidance for stainless steel structures (considering non-linear behaviour, strain hardening and allowing for moment redistribution in indeterminate structures) is crucial for the widespread use of this corrosion-resistant material. This paper presents an experimental programme involving ferritic stainless steel simply supported and continuous beams (RHS and SHS) and the assessment of existing cross-sectional classifications and different plastic design methods available in the literature for indeterminate stainless steel structures, not currently allowed in stainless steel standards. The analysis indicated that some cross-sectional classification limits seem to be too optimistic for ferritic stainless steels and further research is needed in order to extend plastic design to these grades.