Mechanics Of Elastic Structures

The subject discussed in this book is the stability of thin-walled elastic systems under static loads. The presentation of these problems is based on modern approaches to elastic-stability theory. Special attention is paid to the formulation of elastic-stability criteria, to the statement of column, plate and shell stability problems, to the derivation of basic relationships, and to a discussion of the boundaries of the application of analytic relationships. The author has tried to avoid arcane, nonstandard problems and elaborate and unexpected solutions, which bring real pleasure to connoisseurs, but confuse students and cause bewilderment to some practical engineers. The author has an apprehension that problems which, though interesting, are limited in application can divert the reader's attention from the more prosaic but no less sophisticated general problems of stability theory.

This monograph presents the mechanics of vibration, buckling and bending of elastic structures with inclined members such as x-braced high rise frames and conical shells. More than giving detailed derivations of basic equations, Mechanics of Elastic Structures with Inclined Members is mainly oriented towards practical problem-solving. The book can be used as a textbook for graduate students concentrating on structural mechanics, or as a reference book for engineers and researchers in the fields of engineering mechanics, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and aerospace engineering.

Elasticity theory is a classical discipline. The mathematical theory of elasticity in mechanics, especially the linearized theory, is quite mature, and is one of the foundations of several engineering sciences. In the last twenty years, there has been significant progress in several areas closely related to this classical field, this applies in particular to the following two areas. First, progress has been made in numerical methods, especially the development of the finite element method. The finite element method, which was independently created and developed in different ways by sci entists both in China and in the West, is a kind of systematic and modern numerical method for solving partial differential equations, especially el liptic equations. Experience has shown that the finite element method is efficient enough to solve problems in an extremely wide range of applica tions of elastic mechanics. In particular, the finite element method is very suitable for highly complicated problems. One of the authors (Feng) of this book had the good fortune to participate in the work of creating and establishing the theoretical basis of the finite element method. He thought in the early sixties that the method could be used to solve computational problems of solid mechanics by computers. Later practice justified and still continues to justify this point of view. The authors believe that it is now time to include the finite element method as an important part of the content of a textbook of modern elastic mechanics.

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Recently, a new research stimulus has derived from the observation that soft structures, such as biological systems, but also rubber and gel, may work in a post critical regime, where elastic elements are subject to extreme deformations, though still exhibiting excellent mechanical performances. This is the realm of ‘extreme mechanics’, to which this book is addressed. The possibility of exploiting highly deformable structures opens new and unexpected technological possibilities. In particular, the challenge is the design of deformable and bi-stable mechanisms which can reach superior mechanical performances and can have a strong impact on several high-tech applications, including stretchable electronics, nanotube serpentines, deployable structures for aerospace engineering, cable deployment in the ocean, but also sensors and flexible actuators and vibration absorbers. Readers are introduced to a variety of interrelated topics involving the mechanics of extremely deformable structures, with emphasis on bifurcation, instability and nonlinear behavior, both in the quasi-static and dynamic regimes. Essential and up-to-date theoretical, numerical and experimental methodologies are covered, as a tool to progress towards a satisfactory modeling of the nonlinear behavior of structures.