The differential quadrature hierarchical finite element method (DQHFEM) was proposed by Bo Liu. This method incorporated the advantages and the latest research achievements of the hierarchical finite element method (HFEM), the differential quadrature method (DQM) and the isogeometric analysis (IGA). The DQHFEM also overcame many limitations or difficulties of the three methods.This unique compendium systemically introduces the construction of various DQHFEM elements of commonly used geometric shapes like triangle, tetrahedrons, pyramids, etc. Abundant examples are also included such as statics and dynamics, isotropic materials and composites, linear and nonlinear problems, plates as well as shells and solid structures.This useful reference text focuses largely on numerical algorithms, but also introduces some latest advances on high order mesh generation, which often has been regarded as the major bottle neck for the wide application of high order FEM.

Composites materials have aroused a great interest over the last few decades. Several applications of fibrous composites, functionally graded materials, laminated composites, nano-structured reinforcements, morphing structures, can be found in many engineering fields, such as aerospace, mechanical, naval and civil engineering. The necessity of lightweight structures, smart and adaptive systems, high-level strength, have led both the academic research and the manufacturing development to a recurring employment of these materials. Many journal papers and technical notes have been published extensively over the last seventy years in international scientific journals of different engineering fields. For this reason, the establishment of this second edition of Mechanics of Composites International Conference has appeared appropriate to continue what has been begun during the first edition occurred in 2014 at Stony Brook University (USA). MECHCOMP wants to be an occasion for many researchers from each part of the globe to meet and discuss about the recent advancements regarding the use of composite structures. As a proof of this event, which has taken place in Porto (Portugal), selected plenary and key-note lectures have been collected in the present book.

The use of composite materials has grown exponentially in the last decades and has affected many engineering fields due to their enhanced mechanical properties and improved features with respect to conventional materials. For instance, they are employed in civil engineering (seismic isolators, long-span bridges, vaults), mechanical engineering (turbines, machine components), aerospace and naval engineering (fuselages, boat hulls and sails), automotive engineering (car bodies, tires), and biomechanical engineering (prostheses).Nevertheless, the greater use of composites requires a rapid progress in gaining the needed knowledge to design and manufacture composite structures. Thus, researchers and designers devote their own efforts to develop new analysis techniques, design methodologies, manufacturing procedures, micromechanics approaches, theoretical models, and numerical methods. For these purpose, it is extremely easy to find many recent journal papers, books, and technical notes, focused on the mechanics of composites. In particular, several studies are presented to take advantage of their superior features by varying some typical structural parameters (such as geometry, fiber orientations, volume fraction, structural stiffness, weight, lamination scheme). Therefore, this Conference aims to collect contributions from every part of the globe that can increase the knowledge of composite materials and their applications, by engaging researches and professional engineers and designers from different sectors. The same aims and scopes have been reached by the previous editions of Mechanics of Composites International Conferences (MECHCOMP), which occurred in 2014 at Stony Brook University (USA) and in 2016 at University of Porto (Portugal).

It is well-known that the topic of composite mate- rials affects many engineering fields, such as civil, mechanical, aerospace, automotive and chemical. In the last decades, in fact, a huge number of scientific papers concerning these peculiar constituents has been published. Analogously, the industrial progress has been extremely noticeable. The study of composite materials, in general, is a challenging activity since the advancements both in the academia and in the industry provide continually new sparks to develop innovative ideas and applications. The communication, the sharing and the exchange of views can surely help the works of many researchers. This aspect represents the main purpose of this Conference, which aims to collect high-level contributions on the development and the application of composite materials. The establishment of this 21st edition of International Conference on Composite Structures has appeared appropriate to continue what has been begun during the previous editions. ICCS wants to be an occasion for many researchers from each part of the globe to meet and discuss about the recent advancements regarding the use of composite structures, sandwich panels, nanotechnology, bio-composites, delamination and fracture, experimental methods, manufacturing and other countless topics that have filled many sessions during this conference. As a proof of this event, which has taken place in Bologna (Italy), selected plenary and key-note lectures have been collected in the present book.

This book presents a theoretical approach that allows the analysis of structures with magnetorheological and electrorheological layers, and shows, with the help of examples, how the mechanical behaviour of thin-walled laminated structures can be influenced. It consists of six chapters: Chapter 1 presents a brief overview of derivation approaches for theories of thin-walled structures, modelling of composites and modelling of laminated and sandwich structures. Chapter 2 describes the equivalent single layer model for thin laminated cylindrical shells, including the special cases of plates and beams. In addition to the classical mechanical properties, it also considers the electrorheological and magnetorheological properties. Chapter 3 presents the elastic buckling of laminated beams, plates, and cylindrical shells, discussing various problems, such as the influence of the boundary conditions, external loading and magnetic fields. It also suggests different approximations for asymptotic methods. Chapter 4 focuses on the free vibrations of elastic laminated beams, plates and cylindrical shells, investigating the influence of the boundary conditions and other factors. Chapter 5 presents the latest results concerning vibration of laminated structures composed of smart materials and discusses in detail the influence of electric and magnetic fields on smart structures. These results provide insights into the optimal design of these structures. Lastly, Chapter 6 features a short appendix presenting asymptotic estimates and series.