Subject Datasheet
Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Stability of Structures
1.2 Code
BMEEOHSMSFST02-00
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 2 |
| Seminar | 1 |
1.5 Evaluation
Exam
1.6 Credits
5
1.7 Coordinator
| name | Dr. Dunai László |
| academic rank | Professor |
| dunai.laszlo@emk.bme.hu |
1.8 Department
Department of Structural Engineering
1.9 Website
1.10 Language of instruction
hungarian
1.11 Curriculum requirements
Compulsory in the Structural Engineering (MSc) programme
1.12 Prerequisites
Recommended prerequisites:
- Structures 1 (BMEEOHSMS51)
1.13 Effective date
1 September 2025
2. Objectives and learning outcomes
2.1 Objectives
The objective of the subject is the presentation of the most important problems in the stability analysis and stability design of steel structures. The student will learn the terminology of theory of engineering stability and theory of torsion of thin-walled members, as well as their practical importance and applicability. The most relevant modes of instabilities of engineering steel structures will be presented (flexural buckling, flexural-torsional buckling, lateral-torsional buckling, plate buckling). To each instability mode the student will learn the background and mathematical bases, as well as the Eurocode design procedures and their practical applications.
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
1. Will know the terminology of engineering stability theory.
2. Will know the basics of engineering torsion theory of thin-walled members.
3. Will know the two- and three-dimensional instability phenomena typical to columns and beams.
4. Will know the design procedures for the determination of the resistance of columns/beams against stability.
5. Will know the stability behaviour and post-critical behaviour of unstiffened plates.
6. Will know the stability behaviour and post-critical behaviour of stiffened plates.
7. Will know the specialities of the design of unstiffened plates.
8. Knowledge of the basic design principles and methods used in civil engineering practice.
B. Skills
1. Will be able to calculate stresses from St.Venant and Vlasov torsion theories.
2. Will be able to calculate the critical loads for simple structures made of rigid bodies and elastic springs.
3. Will be able to calculate the buckling resistance to flexural-torsional buckling of columns with mono-symmetric thin-walled cross-sections.
4. Will be able to determine the critical load parameters to plate buckling and to global buckling of structural members.
5. Will be able to calculate the critical moment to lateral-torsional buckling of beams with arbitrary thin-walled cross-sections.
6. Will be able to calculate the plate buckling resistance of longitudinally stiffened plates subjected to membrane loading effects.
7. Will be able to apply finite element and finite strip based computer software to calculate critical load parameter.
8. Applies models and computational methods of civil engineering design.
C. Attitudes
1. Cooperates with the tutor/lecturer and with fellow students.
2. Is ready to apply numerical computational tools.
3. Is intent on learning and applying the relevant tools of stability design.
4. Is intent on precise and error-free problem solving.
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
1. Able to autonomously evaluate instability phenomena and able to autonomously complete design calculations based on the literature.
2. Is open to new design procedures, and autonomously evaluates the correctness and applicability of new design procedures.
3. Applies specific working methods to carry out his/her activities with or without little supervision.
4. Uses cognitive skills to make decisions and to move logically from one idea to another.
2.3 Methods
Lectures, exercises, written and oral communications, application of IT tools and techniques, assignments solved individually or, optionally, in teams.
2.4 Course outline
1. Basic concepts of engineering stability theory
2. Engineering torsion theory - restrained torsion of thin-walled members
3. Stability analysis of compressed columns - in-plane buckling, elastic supports
4. Stability analysis of compressed columns - theoretical background for Eurocode based design
5. Torsional buckling - critical force and buckling resistance
6. Lateral torsional buckling of beams - critical moment and moment resistance
7. Interaction of flexural buckling and lateral torsional buckling
8. Stability analysis of a compressed columns based on numerical method - geometric stiffness matrix
9. Numerical model based stability analysis and design - rod structures - HW1
10. Unstiffened and stiffened plate elements - plate buckling, postcritical behaviour
11. Buckling of stiffened plated structural elements
12. Design of stiffened plated structural elements - HW2
13. Numerical model-based stability analysis and design - plated structures
14. Current research topics in stability of plate structures
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
2.5 Study materials
a) Textbooks:
Kollár L: A mérnöki stabilitáselmélet különleges problémái
Iványi Miklós: Stabilitástan
ECCS: Commentary and worked examples to EN 1993-1-5 „Plated Structural Elements”
Ádány S, Dulácska E., Dunai L., Fernezelyi S., Horváth L., Kövesdi B: Acélszerkezetek, Tervezés az Eurocode alapján – Általános eljárások,
Ádány S, Dulácska E., Dunai L., Fernezelyi S., Horváth L.: Acélszerkezetek, Tervezés az Eurocode alapján
– Speciális eljárások
Yu Wei-Wen: Cold-formed steel design, 2000
Timoshenko, Gere: Theory of elastic stability.
b) Online materials:
Papp F: Stabilitáselmélet – egyetemi jegyzet
órai anyagok, előadásfóliák
Ádány, Dunai, Kövesdi: Lecture notes.
2.6 Other information
1) Attendance to lectures and exercise classes is compulsory. The signature and credits from the subject will be refused to students missing more than allowed by the Code of Studies and Exams of BME.
2) Students are evaluated based on their actual individual performance. Students are required to show evidence of their own knowledge and skills. Submitting a work of others, obtaining or giving unauthorized help (e.g. during an exam or test) cheating and plagiarism in any form is unacceptable. Whoever violate the respective Regulations of the University will be given a failing grade (1), without the possibility of retake and repeat, and will be reported to the Dean’s Office.
2.7 Consultation
The instructors are available for consultation during their office hours, as advertised on the department website. Special appointments can be requested via e-mail.
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2026/2027 semester I
II. Subject requirements
Assessment and evaluation of the learning outcomes
3.1 General rules
The student performance will be evaluated, based on the learning outcomes specified in clause 2.2., via two homework assignments, and examination.
Criterion for completion of the subject is to collect at least 50% of the total points of the Test, and at least 50% of the total points of the Assignment. Moreover, unsatisfactory performance during the Exam will lead to a final mark 'failed' (1) independently of the results of the Test and Assignment.
3.2 Assessment methods
| Assessment Name (Type) | Code | Assessed Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| HW1 | HW1 | A.1-A.4, A.8; B.1-B.3 |
| HW2 | HW2 | A.5-A.8; B.4, B.6-B.7; C.1-C.4 |
| oral exam | E | A.1-A.8; B.1-B.8; D.1-D.4 |
The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
3.3 Evaluation system
| Code | Weight |
|---|---|
| HW1 | 15% |
| HW2 | 15% |
| E | 70% |
| Total | 100% |
3.4 Requirements and validity of signature
Criterion for the signature is to collect at least 50% of the total points of the Test, and at least 50% of the total points of the Assignment.
Results of the Test and Assignment can be considered in the determination of the final mark for maximum 6 semesters.
Results of the Test and Assignment can be considered in the determination of the final mark for maximum 6 semesters.
3.5 Grading system
| Grade | Score (P) |
|---|---|
| excellent (5) | 85≤P |
| good (4) | 75≤P<85% |
| satisfactory (3) | 65≤P<75% |
| pass (2) | 50≤P<65% |
| fail (1) | P<50% |
3.6 Retake and repeat
Late submission of homeworks is possible according to the schedule found on the website (late fee applies).
3.7 Estimated workload
| Activity | Hours/Semester |
|---|---|
| participation in contact hours | 3x14=42 |
| preparation for lectures | 1x14=14 |
| completing homeworks | 2x20=40 |
| home studying of the recommended material | 25 |
| preparation for exam | 29 |
3.8 Effective date
1 September 2025
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2026/2027 semester I