AbstractExperiments on stainless steel frames were carried out within this research. In total, 5 portal frames made of austenitic stainless steel SHS/RHS were tested. The paper thoroughly describes the performance of the loading tests including the layout of auxiliary elements and measuring devices. The technical drawing of the experiment layout with a description is presented as well as several photos. The load‐bearing capacities of the frames are summarised in a table. The research aims for a global structure behaviour examination with a particular focus on stainless steel structures. Their behaviour is highly influenced by nonlinear material stress‐strain response. Material nonlinearity leads to loss of stiffness, which results in greater deflections. And greater deflections generate greater second‐order effects. Worldwide research show this particularity needs to be taken into consideration when conducting a global analysis of the structure.