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.

The functionality of modern structural, mechanical and electrical or electronic systems depends on their ability to perform under uncertain conditions. Consideration of uncertainties and their effect on system behavior is an essential and integral part of defining systems. In eleven chapters, leading experts present an overview of the current state of uncertainty modeling, analysis and design of large systems in four major areas: finite and boundary element methods (common structural analysis techniques), fatigue, stability analysis, and fault-tolerant systems. The content of this book is unique; it describes exciting research developments and challenges in emerging areas, and provide a sophisticated toolbox for tackling uncertainty modeling in real systems.

The IMA Hot Topics workshop on compatible spatialdiscretizations was held in 2004. This volume contains original contributions based on the material presented there. A unique feature is the inclusion of work that is representative of the recent developments in compatible discretizations across a wide spectrum of disciplines in computational science. Abstracts and presentation slides from the workshop can be accessed on the internet.

This monograph describes the numerical analysis of non-linearities in structural mechanics, i.e. large rotations, large strain (geometric non-linearities), non-linear material behaviour, in particular elasto-plasticity as well as time-dependent behaviour, and contact. Based on that, the book treats stability problems and limit-load analyses, as well as non-linear equations of a large number of variables. Moreover, the author presents a wide range of problem sets and their solutions. The target audience primarily comprises advanced undergraduate and graduate students of mechanical and civil engineering, but the book may also be beneficial for practising engineers in industry.

Presents the material from general theory and fundamentals through to practical applications. Explains the finite element method for elastic bodies, trusses, frames, non-linear behavior of materials, and more. Includes numerous practical worked examples and case studies throughout each chapter.

Highlights of the book: Discussion about all the fields of Computer Aided Engineering, Finite Element Analysis Sharing of worldwide experience by more than 10 working professionals Emphasis on Practical usuage and minimum mathematics Simple language, more than 1000 colour images International quality printing on specially imported paper Why this book has been written ... FEA is gaining popularity day by day & is a sought after dream career for mechanical engineers. Enthusiastic engineers and managers who want to refresh or update the knowledge on FEA are encountered with volume of published books. Often professionals realize that they are not in touch with theoretical concepts as being pre-requisite and find it too mathematical and Hi-Fi. Many a times these books just end up being decoration in their book shelves ... All the authors of this book are from IIT€™s & IISc and after joining the industry realized gap between university education and the practical FEA. Over the years they learned it via interaction with experts from international community, sharing experience with each other and hard route of trial & error method. The basic aim of this book is to share the knowledge & practices used in the industry with experienced and in particular beginners so as to reduce the learning curve & avoid reinvention of the cycle. Emphasis is on simple language, practical usage, minimum mathematics & no pre-requisites. All basic concepts of engineering are included as & where it is required. It is hoped that this book would be helpful to beginners, experienced users, managers, group leaders and as additional reading material for university courses.

Plate and Shell Structures: Selected Analytical and Finite Element Solutions Maria Radwañska, Anna Stankiewicz, Adam Wosatko, Jerzy Pamin Cracow University of Technology, Poland Comprehensively covers the fundamental theory and analytical and numerical solutions for different types of plate and shell structures Plate and Shell Structures: Selected Analytical and Finite Element Solutions not only provides the theoretical formulation of fundamental problems of mechanics of plates and shells, but also several examples of analytical and numerical solutions for different types of shell structures. The book contains advanced aspects related to stability analysis and a brief description of modern finite element formulations for plates and shells, including the discussion of mixed/hybrid models and locking phenomena. Key features: 52 example problems solved and illustrated by more than 200 figures, including 30 plots of finite element simulation results. Contents based on many years of research and teaching the mechanics of plates and shells to students of civil engineering and professional engineers. Provides the basis of an intermediate-level course on computational mechanics of shell structures. The book is essential reading for engineering students, university teachers, practitioners and researchers interested in the mechanics of plates and shells, as well as developers testing new simulation software.

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.

The definitive guide to stability design criteria, fully updated and incorporating current research Representing nearly fifty years of cooperation between Wiley and the Structural Stability Research Council, the Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures is often described as an invaluable reference for practicing structural engineers and researchers. For generations of engineers and architects, the Guide has served as the definitive work on designing steel and aluminum structures for stability. Under the editorship of Ronald Ziemian and written by SSRC task group members who are leading experts in structural stability theory and research, this Sixth Edition brings this foundational work in line with current practice and research. The Sixth Edition incorporates a decade of progress in the field since the previous edition, with new features including: Updated chapters on beams, beam-columns, bracing, plates, box girders, and curved girders. Significantly revised chapters on columns, plates, composite columns and structural systems, frame stability, and arches Fully rewritten chapters on thin-walled (cold-formed) metal structural members, stability under seismic loading, and stability analysis by finite element methods State-of-the-art coverage of many topics such as shear walls, concrete filled tubes, direct strength member design method, behavior of arches, direct analysis method, structural integrity and disproportionate collapse resistance, and inelastic seismic performance and design recommendations for various moment-resistant and braced steel frames Complete with over 350 illustrations, plus references and technical memoranda, the Guide to Stability Design Criteria for Metal Structures, Sixth Edition offers detailed guidance and background on design specifications, codes, and standards worldwide.

The first optimal design problem for an elastic column subject to buckling was formulated by Lagrange over 200 years ago. However, rapid development of structural optimization under stability constraints occurred only in the last twenty years. In numerous optimal structural design problems the stability phenomenon becomes one of the most important factors, particularly for slender and thin-walled elements of aerospace structures, ships, precision machines, tall buildings etc. In engineering practice stability constraints appear more often than it might be expected; even when designing a simple beam of constant width and variable depth, the width - if regarded as a design variable - is finally determined by a stability constraint (lateral stability). Mathematically, optimal structural design under stability constraints usually leads to optimization with respect to eigenvalues, but some cases fall even beyond this type of problems. A total of over 70 books has been devoted to structural optimization as yet, but none of them has treated stability constraints in a sufficiently broad and comprehensive manner. The purpose of the present book is to fill this gap. The contents include a discussion of the basic structural stability and structural optimization problems and the pertinent solution methods, followed by a systematic review of solutions obtained for columns, arches, bar systems, plates, shells and thin-walled bars. A unified approach based on Pontryagin's maximum principle is employed inasmuch as possible, at least to problems of columns, arches and plates. Parametric optimization is discussed as well.