Global static and stability analysis of thin-walled structures with open cross-section using FE shell-beam models

•FE models for stability analysis of thin-walled structures have been proposed.•Two finite shell-beam models have been elaborated.•The total Lagrangian approach has been used.•The second terms of the finite rotations have been taken into account.•Matrices and vectors of the element have been computed using symbolic operations.

The finite shell-beam models for static and global stability analysis of thin-walled structures with open cross-section are proposed. The discretization using thin-walled beam elements is connected with the space discretization of some parts of the frame. The space joint element, formulated using only translational degrees of freedom on cross-sections connecting the joint with the thin-walled beams and the so-called transition elements, defined between the beam and the shell nodes are used for consistent coupling beams and shell parts.