Thin-walled bars currently applied in metal construction engineering belong to a group of members, the cross-section resistance of which is affected by the phenomena of local or distortional stability loss. This results from the fact that the cross-section of such a bar consists of slender-plate elements. The study presents the method of calculating the resistance of the cross-section susceptible to local buckling which is based on the loss of stability of the weakest plate (wall). The "Critical Plate" (CP) was identified by comparing critical stress in cross-section component plates under a given stress condition. Then, the CP showing the lowest critical stress was modelled, depending on boundary conditions, as an internal or cantilever element elastically restrained in the restraining plate (RP). Longitudinal stress distribution was accounted for by means of a constant, linear or non-linear (acc. the second degree parabola) function. For the critical buckling stress, as calculated above, the local critical resistance of the cross-section was determined, which sets a limit on the validity of the Vlasov theory. In order to determine the design ultimate resistance of the cross-section, the effective width theory was applied, while taking into consideration the assumptions specified in the study. The application of the Critical Plate Method (CPM) was presented in the examples. Analytical calculation results were compared with selected experimental findings. lt was demonstrated that taking into consideration the CP elastic restraint and longitudinal stress variation results in a more accurate representation of thin-walled element behaviour in the engineering computational model

Buckling of the stiffened flange of a thin-walled member is reduced to the buckling analysis of the cantilever plate, elastically restrained against rotation, with the free edge stiffener, which is susceptible to deflection.Longitudinal stress variation is taken into account using a linear function and a 2nd degree parabola. Deflection functions for the plate and the stiffener, adopted in the study, made it possible to model boundary conditions and different buckling modes at the occurrence of longitudinal stress variation. Graphs of buckling coefficients are determined for different load distributions as a function of the elastic restraint coefficient and geometric details of the stiffener. Exemplary buckling modes are presented.

The issues of local stability and ultimate resistance of a continuous beam with thin-walled box section (Class 4) were reduced to the analysis of the local buckling of bilaterally elastically restrained internal plate of the compression flange at longitudinal stress variation. Critical stress of the local buckling was determined using the so-called Critical Plate Method (CPM). In the method, the effect of the elastic restraint of the component walls of the bar section and the effect of longitudinal stress variation that results from varying distribution of bending moments were taken into account. On that basis, appropriate effective characteristics of reliable sections were determined. Additionally, ultimate resistances of those sections were estimated. The impact of longitudinal stress variation and of the degree of elastic restraint of longitudinal edges on, respectively, the local buckling of compression flanges in the span section (p) and support section (s) was analysed. The influence of the span length of the continuous beam and of the relative plate slenderness of the compression flange on the critical ultimate resistance of box sections was examined.

The study presents the results of theoretical investigations into lateral torsional buckling (LTB) of bi-symmetric I-beams, elastically restrained against warping at supports. Beam loading schemes commonly used in practice are taken into account. The whole range of stiffness of the support joints, from free warping to warping fully restrained, is considered. To determine the critical moment, the energy method is used. The function of the beam twist angle is described with power polynomials that have simple physical interpretation. Computer programs written in symbolic language for numerical analysis are developed. General approximation formulas are devised. Detailed calculations are performed for beams with end-plate joints. Critical moments determined with programs and approximation formulas are compared with the results obtained by other researchers and with those produced by FEM. Very good accuracy of results is obtained.

The study presents the summary of the knowledge of energy-active segments of steel buildings adapted to obtain electrical energy (EE) and thermal energy (TE) from solar radiation, and to transport and store TE. The study shows a general concept of the design of energy-active segments, which are separated from conventional segments in the way that allows the equipment installation and replacement. Exemplary solutions for the design of energy-active segments, optimised with respect to the principle of minimum thermal strain and maximum structural capacity and reliability were given [34]. The following options of the building covers were considered: 1) regular structure, 2) reduced structure, 3) basket structure, 4) structure with a tie, high-pitched to allow snow sliding down the roof to enhance TE and EE obtainment. The essential task described in the study is the optimal adaptation of energy-active segments in large-volume buildings for extraction, transportation and storage of energy from solar radiation.

Attractive large-scale glazing is currently an architectural trend. However, achieving adequate stiffness for larger glazing spans requires the use of complex cross-sections, generally aluminium sections of considerable height. Members with openwork webs are sometimes used in order to achieve increased load-bearing capacity and stiffness with reduced weight. The disadvantage is that this solution takes up a lot of space inside the building. A recently patented diagonalless member attempts to solve the above-mentioned problems. The member is fully demountable and allows glass units to be installed in the space between the chords. It consists of two chords spaced apart by metal sleeves with bolts passed through them. In this study, preliminary qualitative experimental tests were carried out to determine the behaviour of the member under load and to identify zones sensitive to local deformation. On this basis, numerical models (bar and 3D solid models, including contact interactions) were created and tested. Subsequently, the optimum sleeve spacing was determined, the effect of rotational and translational stiffness reduction at the nodes was investigated, and stress concentration zones and forms of stability loss were identified. A new form of local loss of stability of the chord facewall was identified, the so-called sliding push effect of the chord walls on the sleeve (within the larger openings). This is a completely different type of chord facewall failure from that found in known tubular welded joints. The research programme focused on identifying the phenomena occurring in the new member in order to provide a basis for further, more advanced analyses.