The work summarizes theoretical and experimental investigations of real loading conditions of thin-walled plated and shell structures under loads concentrated on parts of their surface. There are presented more accurate and improved models of strain or stress distribution under patch loads considering geometrical and material nonlinearity in connection with stability problems and fatigue damage of studied structural types. The results of these investigations are of particular importance in the design and safety verification of many engineering structures, e.g. plate girders subjected to partial edge loading, closures of fuel tanks, footings and sadles of pressure vessels, reservoirs and pipelines.