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In structural engineering verifications, the plastic capacity of steel members may be utilized for cross sections of class 1 and 2. In literature, algorithms for the primary torsional capacity considering different types of numerical procedures, such as finite element methods, have mainly been addressed. However, there is a lack of explicit illustration of algorithms for cross sections considering combined loading, i.e. procedures for bending and torsional analysis. This paper therefore presents an algorithm for the plastic analysis connected to a cross‐sectional finite element approach. The algorithm considers the description of bilinear material laws, accounting for ideal‐plastic behavior as well as effects of isotropic hardening. Cross sections are discretized by isoparametric two‐dimensional nine‐node elements with curvilinear boundaries, which allow describing any geometry with high accuracy. The study proves that the plastic algorithm combined with the isoparametric elements accurately represents the behavior of cross sections. In addition, precise cross‐sectional capacities of hot‐rolled U‐sections gained by the methodology, i.e. plastic torsional moments and plastic bending moments, are presented. In future research, this methodology will be combined with finite element formulations for beams. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]