Saturated analysis of pulse-loaded beams based on Membrane Factor Method

•Combining MFM (Membrane Factor Method) and SA (saturation analysis) to solve the large deflection plastic response of beams with consideration of both transient phase and exact yield curve.•Obtaining the complete solutions of fully clamped and simply supported beams under rectangular pulse loadings and demonstrating the saturation phenomenon.•Based on the MFM+SA approach, proposing a set of simple formulae for predicting the saturated duration and saturated deflection of beams so as to facilitate engineering applications.