  Five-dimensional scenarios with infinitesimally thin branes replaced by
appropriate configurations of a scalar field were considered. A possibility of
periodic extra dimension was discussed in the presence on non-minimal
scalar-gravity coupling and a generalized Gibbons-Kallosh-Linde sum rule was
found. In order to avoid constraints imposed by periodicity, a non-compact
spacial extra dimension was introduced. A five dimensional model with warped
geometry and two thin branes mimicked by a scalar profile was constructed and
discussed. In the thin brane limit the model corresponds to a set-up with two
positive-tension branes. The presence of two branes allows to address the issue
of the hierarchy problem which could be solved by the standard warping of the
four dimensional metric provided the Higgs field is properly localized.
Stability of the background solution was discussed and verified in the presence
of the most general perturbations of the metric and the scalar field.
