The structural imperfections, namely, the residual stresses, are generated during most manufacturing processes involving material deformation, heat treatment, machining or processing operations. The intensity and distribution of residual stresses are dependent on the techniques used in the production of steel sections (welding, rolling or cold formed techniques) and their dimensions. An appropriate evaluation of residual stress is of great importance for the structural performance of steel I-beams. Residual stresses can have a significant impact on the stability of structural members. In the case of I-section beam elements, such stresses can impact lateral torsional buckling (LTB) strength, particularly in the inelastic range. For the development of post buckling numerical analyses, the consideration of residual stress distribution models is fundamental for the correct determination of the LTB strength of I-beams. However, there are several models that attempt to represent the distribution and intensity of residual stresses. These models have a different influence on the LTB behavior of I-beams in numerical analysis. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate, through the development of post buckling numerical analyses with the ABAQUS software, the influence of the different residual stress distribution models on the LTB strength of I-beams. Seven different residual stress models were analyzed on simply supported I-beams subject to uniformly distributed loading applied in the shear center and in the upper flange. The results were compared with standard procedures. It was verified considerable divergences in LTB strength depending on the residual stress model applied. In addition, this paper presents a synthesis of the main residual stress distribution models. The analyses showed in this work shall help the choice of the residual stress distribution model on future numerical simulations.

结构缺陷，即残余应力，在涉及材料变形，热处理，机加工或加工操作的大多数制造过程中产生。残余应力的强度和分布取决于钢型材生产中使用的技术（焊接，轧制或冷成型技术）及其尺寸。残余应力的适当评估对于工字钢的结构性能非常重要。残余应力可能对结构构件的稳定性产生重大影响。对于I形截面梁单元，这种应力会影响横向扭转屈曲（LTB）的强度，特别是在非弹性范围内。为了发展后屈曲数值分析，考虑残余应力分布模型对于正确确定工字钢的LTB强度至关重要。但是，有几种模型试图表示残余应力的分布和强度。在数值分析中，这些模型对工字钢的LTB行为有不同的影响。因此，本文旨在通过使用ABAQUS软件进行屈曲后数值分析的方法，研究不同残余应力分布模型对工字钢LTB强度的影响。在承受剪切中心和上凸缘的均匀分布载荷的情况下，对简单支撑的工字梁分析了七个不同的残余应力模型。将结果与标准程序进行比较。事实证明，根据所采用的残余应力模型，LTB强度存在很大差异。另外，本文介绍了主要残余应力分布模型的综合。这项工作中显示的分析将有助于在未来的数值模拟中选择残余应力分布模型。