A　link　element　incorporating　a　nonlinear　axial-shear-flexural　(PVM)　yield　function　is　established　for　idealized　beams　with　reduced　web　section　(RWS),　focusing　on　the　static　response　when　a　column　loss　is　triggered.　The　proposed　model　is　considered　in　terms　of　the　lowest　level　of　model　reduction,　that　is,　axially　restrained　beams　subjected　to　mid-span　point　loading　(MPL)　with　boundary　springs.　A　monotonic　loading　test　was　conducted　on　the　perforated　beams　to　calibrate　the　proposed　model.　The　main　features　of　the　new　approach　include　the　consideration　of　the　multi-surfaces　concept　and　an　anisotropic　hardening　rule　is　employed　in　the　plastic　hinge.　The　proposed　model　can　predict　the　load–displacement　relationship　before　the　failure　limit.　The　internal　force　evolution　of　the　inner　hinge　is　analyzed　to　determine　the　change　in　the　load　transfer　mechanism　of　the　RWS　connection　with　rectangular　openings.　The　numerical　results　show　that　the　traditional　equivalent　rectangular　opening　method　should　be　improved　to　reflect　the　large　deformation　response　of　the　circular　web　opening　beams.　The　proposed　model　can　offer　a　practical　tool　for　the　progressive　collapse　design　of　steel　frames　with　web　opening　beams　under　column　removal　scenarios.　©　2022