A comprehensive and systematic analysis of elastic structural stability is presented in this volume. Traditional engineering buckling concepts are discussed in the framework of the Liapunov theory of stability by giving an extensive review of the Koiter approach. The perturbation method for both nonlinear algebraic and differential equations is discussed and adopted as the main tool for postbuckling analysis. The formulation of the buckling problem for the most common engineering structures - rods and frames, plates, shells, and thin-walled beams, is performed and the critical load evaluated for problems of interest. In many cases the postbuckling analysis up to the second order is presented. The use of the Ritz-Galerkin and of the finite element methods is examined as a tool for approximate bifurcation analysis. The volume will provide an up-to-date introduction for non-specialists in elastic stability theory and methods, and is intended for graduate and post-graduate students and researchers interested in nonlinear structural analysis problems. Basic prerequisites are kept to a minimum, a familiarity with elementary algebra and calculus is all that is required of readers to make use of this book.

This book overcomes the separation existing in literature between the static and the dynamic bifurcation worlds. It brings together buckling and post-buckling problems with nonlinear dynamics, the bridge being represented by the perturbation method, i.e., a mathematical tool that allows for solving static and dynamic problems virtually in the same way. The book is organized as follows: Chapter one gives an overview; Chapter two illustrates phenomenological aspect of static and dynamic bifurcations; Chapter three deals with linear stability analysis of dynamical systems; Chapter four and five discuss the general theory and present examples of buckling and post-buckling of elastic structures; Chapter six describes a linearized approach to buckling, usually adopted in the technical literature, in which pre-critical deformations are neglected; Chapters seven to ten, analyze elastic and elasto-plastic buckling of planar systems of beams, thin-walled beams and plate assemblies, respectively; Chapters eleven to thirteen, illustrate dynamic instability phenomena, such as flutter induced by follower forces, aeroelastic bifurcations caused by wind flow, and parametric excitation triggered by pulsating loads. Finally, Chapter fourteen discusses a large gallery of solved problems, concerning topics covered in the book. An Appendix presents the Vlasov theory of open thin-walled beams. The book is devoted to advanced undergraduate and graduate students, as well as engineers and practitioners. The methods illustrated here are immediately applicable to model real problems. The Book Introduces, in a simple way, complex concepts of bifurcation theory, by making use of elementary mathematics Gives a comprehensive overview of bifurcation of linear and nonlinear structures, in static and dynamic fields Contains a chapter in which many problems are solved, either analytically or numerically, and results commented

Theory of Stability of Continuous Elastic Structures presents an applied mathematical treatment of the stability of civil engineering structures. The book's modern and rigorous approach makes it especially useful as a text in advanced engineering courses and an invaluable reference for engineers.

Bifurcation and Buckling in Structures describes the theory and analysis of bifurcation and buckling in structures. Emphasis is placed on a general procedure for solving nonlinear governing equations and an analysis procedure related to the finite-element method. Simple structural examples using trusses, columns, and frames illustrate the principles. Part I presents fundamental issues such as the general mathematical framework for bifurcation and buckling, procedures for the buckling load/mode analyses, and numerical analysis procedures to trace the solution curves and switch to bifurcation solutions. Advanced topics include asymptotic theory of bifurcation and bifurcation theory of symmetric systems. Part II deals with buckling of perfect and imperfect structures. An overview of the member buckling of columns and beams is provided, followed by the buckling analysis of truss and frame structures. The worst and random imperfections are studied as advanced topics. An extensive review of the history of buckling is presented. This text is ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in engineering and applied mathematics. To assist readers, problems are listed at the end of each chapter, and their answers are given at the end of the book. Kiyohiro Ikeda is Professor Emeritus at Tohoku University, Japan. Kazuo Murota is a Project Professor at the Institute of Statistical Mathematics, Japan, as well as Professor Emeritus at the University of Tokyo, Kyoto University, and Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan.

The book retraces the history of the Italian Association of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics (AIMETA) since its establishment in 1965. AIMETA is the official Italian association of mechanics adhering to IUTAM (International Union of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics), which organizes and coordinates a meaningful number of research activities, the most important of which are the biennial National Congress and the internationally renowned journal “Meccanica”, published by Springer. Besides collecting and organizing all related important data and information, as far as possible, by distinguishing among the five scientific areas – general mechanics, solids, structures, fluids, machines – encompassed by AIMETA, the history of the association is assumed as a proper perspective to overview the evolution of theoretical and applied mechanics in Italy over about the last fifty years. This is accomplished in the first part of the book. with also a specific focus on the mechanics of solids and structures, where the biographies of a meaningful number of recognized Italian scholars of mechanics in all areas are also provided, along with testimonials and memories by a few senior people meaningfully involved with AIMETA and Italian mechanics. The second part gives an account, although unavoidably incomplete, of recent developments of mechanical sciences in Italy, as reflected also in the activities of AIMETA and with reference to the international context. Contributions by a number of invited senior scholars, still very active, consist of overviews on some scientific themes in the various areas, summaries of achievements of research groups, expressions of research viewpoints, prospects for future developments.

The study of structural instability plays a role of primary importance in the field of applied mechanics. Despite the remarkable progresses made in the recent past years, the structural instability remains one of the most challenging topics in applied - chanics. Many problems have bee:: solved in the last decades but still many others remain to be solved satisfactorily. The increasing number of papers published in jo- nals and conferences organized by ECCS, SSRC, IUTAM, and EUROMECH strongly indicates the interest of scientists and engineers in the subject. A careful examination of these publications shows that they tend to fall into one of the two categories. The first is that of practical design direction in which methods for analyzing specific stability problems related to some specific structural typologies are developed. The research works are restricted to determining the critical load, considering that it is sufficient to know the limits of stability range. These studies are invaluable since their aim is to provide solutions to practical problems, to supply the designer with data useful for design and prepare norms, specifications and codes. The second direction is that of theoretical studies, aiming at a mathematical modeling of the instability problems, for a better understanding of the phenomena. In these studies, special emphasis is placed on the behavior of structures after the loss of stability in the post-critical range. This approach is less familiar to designers as its results have not yet become part of current structural design practice.

There have been stability theories developed for beams, plates and shells — the most significant elements in mechanical, aerospace, ocean and marine engineering. For beams and plates, the theoretical and experimental values of buckling loads are in close vicinity. However for thin shells, the experimental predictions do not conform with the theory, due to presence of small geometric imperfections that are deviations from the ideal shape.This fact has been referred to in the literature as ‘embarrassing’, ‘paradoxical’ and ‘perplexing’. Indeed, the popular adage, “In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is”, very much applies to thin shells whose experimental buckling loads may constitute a small fraction of the theoretical prediction based on classical linear theory; because in practice, engineers use knockdown factors that are not theoretically substantiated.This book presents a uniform approach that tames this prima-donna-like and capricious behavior of structures that has been dubbed the ‘imperfection sensitivity’ — thus resolving the conundrum that has occupied the best minds of elastic stability throughout the twentieth century.

This book is concerned with the dynamic behavior of reinforced/prestressed concrete structures, such as: buildings and bridges. It discusses how to predict or check the real inelastic behavior of concrete structures subjected to dynamic loads, including equipment loads, earthquake motions, seismic interactions and missile impacts. A number of techniques have recently been developed to assist in evaluating such occurrences. This book is intended to apply structural dynamics to concrete structures and is appropriate as a textbook for an introductory course in dynamic behavior of concrete structures at the upper-undergraduate or graduate level as well as for practicing engineers.

A crucial element of structural and continuum mechanics, stability theory has limitless applications in civil, mechanical, aerospace, naval and nuclear engineering. This text of unparalleled scope presents a comprehensive exposition of the principles and applications of stability analysis. It has been proven as a text for introductory courses and various advanced courses for graduate students. It is also prized as an exhaustive reference for engineers and researchers. The authors' focus on understanding of the basic principles rather than excessive detailed solutions, and their treatment of each subject proceed from simple examples to general concepts and rigorous formulations. All the results are derived using as simple mathematics as possible. Numerous examples are given and 700 exercise problems help in attaining a firm grasp of this central aspect of solid mechanics. The book is an unabridged republication of the 1991 edition by Oxford University Press and the 2003 edition by Dover, updated with 18 pages of end notes.

This book is the consequence of research undertaken by the authors in the field of advanced problems of structural mechanics. Stability analysis of structures comes under this area because of the complex models and computational methods needed for analysis. In the mid seventies, a joint effort began between a group of researchers and teachers of the Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Center of the Cracow University of Technology. One of the important results of the collaboration has been this publication.