Although several books and conference proceedings have already appeared dealing with either the mathematical aspects or applications of homogenization theory, there seems to be no comprehensive volume dealing with both aspects. The present volume is meant to fill this gap, at least partially, and deals with recent developments in nonlinear homogenization emphasizing applications of current interest. It contains thirteen key lectures presented at the NATO Advanced Workshop on Nonlinear Homogenization and Its Applications to Composites, Polycrystals and Smart Materials. The list of thirty one contributed papers is also appended. The key lectures cover both fundamental, mathematical aspects of homogenization, including nonconvex and stochastic problems, as well as several applications in micromechanics, thin films, smart materials, and structural and topology optimization. One lecture deals with a topic important for nanomaterials: the passage from discrete to continuum problems by using nonlinear homogenization methods. Some papers reveal the role of parameterized or Young measures in description of microstructures and in optimal design. Other papers deal with recently developed methods – both analytical and computational – for estimating the effective behavior and field fluctuations in composites and polycrystals with nonlinear constitutive behavior. All in all, the volume offers a cross-section of current activity in nonlinear homogenization including a broad range of physical and engineering applications. The careful reader will be able to identify challenging open problems in this still evolving field. For instance, there is the need to improve bounding techniques for nonconvex problems, as well as for solving geometrically nonlinear optimum shape-design problems, using relaxation and homogenization methods.

Smart materials have been categorized employing taxonomical methods used in classification of cybernetics systems. This approach has allowed the systematization of the variety of smart materials (both developed and conceptualized) as well to substantiate the three-stage process of the materials' making. This book proposes a phenomenological model d

The behavior of materials at the nanoscale is a key aspect of modern nanoscience and nanotechnology. This book presents rigorous mathematical techniques showing that some very useful phenomenological properties which can be observed at the nanoscale in many nonlinear reaction-diffusion processes can be simulated and justified mathematically by means of homogenization processes when a certain critical scale is used in the corresponding framework.

In this book the authors show that it is possible to construct efficient computationally oriented models of multi-parameter complex systems by using asymptotic methods, which can, owing to their simplicity, be directly used for controlling processes arising in connection with composite material systems. The book focuses on this asymptotic-modeling-based approach because it allows us to define the most important out of numerous parameters describing the system, or, in other words, the asymptotic methods allow us to estimate the sensitivity of the system parameters. Further, the book addresses the construction of nonlocal and higher-order homogenized models. Local fields on the micro-level and the influence of so-called non-ideal contact between the matrix and inclusions are modeled and investigated. The book then studies composites with non-regular structure and cluster type composite conductivity, and analyzes edge effects in fiber composite materials. Transition of load from a fiber to a matrix for elastic and viscoelastic composites, various types of fiber composite fractures, and buckling of fibers in fiber-reinforced composites is also investigated. Last but not least, the book includes studies on perforated membranes, plates, and shells, as well as the asymptotic modeling of imperfect nonlinear interfaces.

Is it possible to apply a network model to composites with conical inclusions? How does the energy pass through contrast composites? Devoted to the analysis of transport problems for systems of densely packed, high-contrast composite materials, Capacity and Transport in Contrast Composite Structures: Asymptotic Analysis and Applications answers questions such as these and presents new and modified asymptotic methods for real-world applications in composite materials development. A mathematical discussion of phenomena related to natural sciences and engineering, this book covers historical developments and new progress in mathematical calculations, computer techniques, finite element computer programs, and presentation of results of numerical computations. The "transport problem"—which is described with scalar linear elliptic equations—implies problems of thermoconductivity, diffusion, and electrostatics. To address this "problem," the authors cover asymptotic analysis of partial differential equations, material science, and the analysis of effective properties of electroceramics. Providing numerical calculations of modern composite materials that take into account nonlinear effects, the book also: Presents results of numerical analysis, demonstrating specific properties of distributions of local fields in high-contrast composite structures and systems of closely placed bodies Assesses whether total flux, energy, and capacity exhaust characteristics of the original continuum model Illustrates the expansion of the method for systems of bodies to highly filled contrast composites This text addresses the problem of loss of high-contrast composites, as well as transport and elastic properties of thin layers that cover or join solid bodies. The material presented will be particularly useful for applied mathematicians interested in new methods, and engineers dealing with prospective materials and design methods.

This work approaches the fields of homogenization and of materials design for the linear and nonlinear mechanical properties with prescribed properties-profile. The set of achievable properties is bounded by the zeroth-order bounds (which are material specific), the first-order bounds (containing volume fractions of the phases) and the second-order Hashin-Shtrikman bounds with eigenfields in terms of tensorial texture coefficients for arbitrarily anisotropic textured materials.

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have become an integral part of the construction industry because of their versatility, enhanced durability and resistance to fatigue and corrosion, high strength-to-weight ratio, accelerated construction, and lower maintenance and life-cycle costs. Advanced FRP composite materials are also emerging for a w

Shells are basic structural elements of modern technology and everyday life. Examples of shell structures in technology include automobile bodies, water and oil tanks, pipelines, silos, wind turbine towers, and nanotubes. Nature is full of living shells such as leaves of trees, blooming flowers, seashells, cell membranes or wings of insects. In the human body arteries, the eye shell, the diaphragm, the skin and the pericardium are all shells as well. Shell Structures: Theory and Applications, Volume 4 contains 132 contributions presented at the 11th Conference on Shell Structures: Theory and Applications (Gdansk, Poland, 11-13 October 2017). The papers reflect a wide spectrum of scientific and engineering problems from theoretical modelling through strength, stability and dynamic behaviour, numerical analyses, biomechanic applications up to engineering design of shell structures. Shell Structures: Theory and Applications, Volume 4 will be of interest to academics, researchers, designers and engineers dealing with modelling and analyses of shell structures. It may also provide supplementary reading to graduate students in Civil, Mechanical, Naval and Aerospace Engineering.

The study of variational problems showing multi-scale behaviour with oscillation or concentration phenomena is a challenging topic of very active research. This volume collects lecture notes on the asymptotic analysis of such problems when multi-scale behaviour derives from scale separation in the passage from atomistic systems to continuous functionals, from competition between bulk and surface energies, from various types of homogenization processes, and on concentration effects in Ginzburg-Landau energies and in subcritical growth problems.

Applied Analysis of Composite Media: Analytical and Computational Approaches presents formulas and techniques that can used to study 2D and 3D problems in composites and random porous media. The main strength of this book is its broad range of applications that illustrate how these techniques can be applied to investigate elasticity, viscous flow and bacterial motion in composite materials. In addition to paying attention to constructive computations, the authors have also included information on codes via a designated webpage. This book will be extremely useful for postgraduate students, academic researchers, mathematicians and industry professionals who are working in structured media. Provides a uniform, computational methodology that can be applied to the main classes of transport and elastic problems by using a combination of exact formulae, advanced simulations and asymptotic methods Includes critical phenomena in transport and elastic problems for composites and porous media Applies computational methodology to biological structures Presents computer protocols/algorithms that can be used for materials design