We investigate the use of a second-order cone programming (SOCP) framework for computing complex 3D steel assemblies in the context of elastoplasticity and limit analysis. Displacement and stress-based variational formulations are considered and appropriate finite-element discretization strategies are chosen, yielding respectively an upper and lower bound estimate of the exact solution. An efficient interior-point algorithm is used to solve the associated optimization problems. The discrete solution convergence is estimated by comparing both static and kinematic solutions, offering a way to perform local mesh adaptation. The proposed framework is illustrated on the design of a moment-transmitting assembly, its performance is assessed by comparison with classical elastoplastic computations using Abaqus and, finally, T-stub resistance and failure mechanisms when assessing the strength of a column base plate are compared with the Eurocodes design rules.