This book focuses on the nonlinear behaviour of thin-wall shells (single- and multilayered with delamination areas) under various uniform and non-uniform loadings. The dependence of critical (buckling) load upon load variability is revealed to be highly non-monotonous, showing minima when load variability is close to the eigenmode variabilities of solution branching points of the respective nonlinear boundary problem. A novel numerical approach is employed to analyze branching points and to build primary, secondary, and tertiary bifurcation paths of the nonlinear boundary problem for the case of uniform loading. The load levels of singular points belonging to the paths are considered to be critical load estimates for the case of non-uniform loadings.

Stability and Vibrations of Thin-Walled Composite Structures presents engineering and academic knowledge on the stability (buckling and post buckling) and vibrations of thin walled composite structures like columns, plates, and stringer stiffened plates and shells, which form the basic structures of the aeronautical and space sectors. Currently, this knowledge is dispersed in several books and manuscripts, covering all aspects of composite materials. The book enables both engineers and academics to locate valuable, up-to-date knowledge on buckling and vibrations, be it analytical or experimental, and use it for calculations or comparisons. The book is also useful as a textbook for advanced-level graduate courses. Presents a unified, systematic, detailed and comprehensive overview of the topic Contains contributions from leading experts in the field Includes a dedicated section on testing and experimental results

Stability of NonLinear Shells is a compilation of the author's work on analyzing the behaviour of spherical caps and related shell structures under various (axisymmetric) load systems. Differing from other texts on shells of revolution, it is one of the first attempts to deal with effects of multi-parameter load systems. This extension leads to the discovery of some new, hitherto unknown phenomena exhibited by these structures. In addition, the book presents a novel way to characterize properties of solutions of the governing equations for spherical caps - a classification anchored in a theory called reciprocal systems. The author has introduced a deformation map, a projection of multi-dimensional solutions to two-dimensional graphs, to enable analysts to gain insight into the physical meaning of the results obtained. Numerous examples illustrate the concepts introduced. This book also comes to grips with many misconceptions existing in engineering literature about the question of the stability of solutions.

This unique book explores both theoretical and experimental aspects of nonlinear vibrations and stability of shells and plates. It is ideal for researchers, professionals, students, and instructors. Expert researchers will find the most recent progresses in nonlinear vibrations and stability of shells and plates, including advanced problems of shells with fluid-structure interaction. Professionals will find many practical concepts, diagrams, and numerical results, useful for the design of shells and plates made of traditional and advanced materials. They will be able to understand complex phenomena such as dynamic instability, bifurcations, and chaos, without needing an extensive mathematical background. Graduate students will find (i) a complete text on nonlinear mechanics of shells and plates, collecting almost all the available theories in a simple form, (ii) an introduction to nonlinear dynamics, and (iii) the state of art on the nonlinear vibrations and stability of shells and plates, including fluid-structure interaction problems.

"Stability of NonLinear Shells is a compilation of the author's work on analyzing the behaviour of spherical caps and related shell structures under various (axisymmetric) load systems. Differing from other texts on shells of revolution, it is one of the first attempts to deal with effects of multi-parameter load systems. This extension leads to the discovery of some new, hitherto unknown phenomena exhibited by these structures. In addition, the book presents a novel way to characterize properties of solutions of the governing equations for spherical caps - a classification anchored in a theory called reciprocal systems. The author has introduced a deformation map, a projection of multi-dimensional solutions to two-dimensional graphs, to enable analysts to gain insight into the physical meaning of the results obtained. Numerous examples illustrate the concepts introduced. This book also comes to grips with many misconceptions existing in engineering literature about the question of the stability of solutions"--Provided by publisher.

This volume is a collection of chapters that present several key principles and theories, as well as their potential uses in the development of mathematical models in areas like waves, thermodynamic, electromagnetics, fluid dynamics, and catastrophes. The techniques and methodologies used in this book, on the other hand, should have a long-term impact and be applicable to a wide range of different topics of study and research. Each chapter should also help readers in gaining a better knowledge of the underlying and connected concepts. The companion volume (Contemporary Mathematics, Volume 787) is devoted to theory and application.

This book commemorates the 80th birthday of Prof. W. Pietraszkiewicz, a prominent specialist in the field of general shell theory. Reflecting Prof. Pietraszkiewicz’s focus, the respective papers address a range of current problems in the theory of shells. In addition, they present other structural mechanics problems involving dimension-reduced models. Lastly, several applications are discussed, including material models for such dimension-reduced structures.