True stress-strain curves for ASTM A992 steel for fracture simulation at elevated temperatures

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the development of true stress-strain curves for ASTM A992 steel at elevated temperatures up to 1000 °C. These true stress-strain curves are intended to support numerical simulations of fracture of steel members and connections subjected to heating in severe fires. Such simulations require data on true stress-strain response at very large strains associated with fracture. The true stress-strain curves developed in this study are divided into two main parts; the part prior to necking and the part after the onset of necking. Prior to necking, true stress-strain curves are directly derived from engineering stress-strain curves of ASTM A992 steel determined from high-temperature tensile coupon tests. After the onset of necking, true stress-strain curves are inferred from the engineering stress-strain curves by a trial and error process involving finite element simulations of tension coupon tests.