This paper derives kinematic admissible bending moment – axial force (M-P) interaction relations for mild steel by considering strain hardening idealisations. Two models for strain hardening – Linear and parabolic have been considered, the parabolic model being closer to the experiments. The interaction relations can predict strains, which is not possible in a rigid, perfectly plastic idealization. The relations are obtained for all possible cases pertaining to the locations of neutral axis. One commercial rolled steel T-section has been considered for studying the characteristics of interaction curves for different models. On the basis of these interaction curves, most significant cases for the position of neutral axis which are enough for the establishment of interaction relations have been suggested. The influence of strain hardening in the interaction study has been highlighted. The strains and hence the strain rates due to bending and an axial force can be separated only for the linear-elastic case because the principle of superposition is not valid for the nonlinear case. The difference between the interaction curves for linear and parabolic hardening for the particular material is small. Manuscript profile