6. Conclusion

The aim of this dossier was to introduce the elementary structural instability phenomena specific to bars, to highlight the difference between elastic critical load and ultimate load for each of them, and to develop the physical model used to determine the latter.

The emphasis is deliberately on concepts and principles, rather than on detailed procedures for the regulatory verification of structural elements with regard to instability. For this reason, the way in which structural safety is to be ensured on projects is not dealt with or even mentioned.

The practical implementation procedure, in a regulatory verification context, of all the concepts set out here is developed and discussed in the files specific to metal components likely to be affected by one or more of the instability phenomena reviewed...