A consistent theory for thin anisotropic layered structures is developed starting from asymptotic analysis of 3D equations in linear elasticity. The consideration is not restricted to the traditional boundary conditions along the faces of the structure expressed in terms of stresses, originating a new type of boundary value problems, which is not governed by the classical Kirchhoff-Love assumptions. More general boundary value problems, in particular related to elastic foundations are also studied.The general asymptotic approach is illustrated by a number of particular problems for elastic and thermoelastic beams and plates. For the latter, the validity of derived approximate theories is investigated by comparison with associated exact solution. The author also develops an asymptotic approach to dynamic analysis of layered media composed of thin layers motivated by modeling of engineering structures under seismic excitation.

As structural elements, anisotropic elastic plates find wide applications in modern technology. The plates here are considered to be subjected to not only inplane load but also transverse load. In other words, both plane and plate bending problems as well as the stretching-bending coupling problems are all explained in this book. In addition to the introduction of the theory of anisotropic elasticity, several important subjects have are discussed in this book such as interfaces, cracks, holes, inclusions, contact problems, piezoelectric materials, thermoelastic problems and boundary element analysis.

A major basic text on the theory and structural applications of laminated anisotropic plates. Detailed coverage of problems of bending under transverse load, stability, and free-vibrations, as well as laminated beams, expansional strain effects, curved plates, and free-edge effects.

The main purpose of this work is construction of the mathematical theory of elastic plates and shells, by means of which the investigation of basic boundary value problems of the spatial theory of elasticity in the case of cylindrical do mains reduces to the study of two-dimensional boundary value problems (BVP) of comparatively simple structure. In this respect in sections 2-5 after the introductory material, methods of re duction, known in the literature as usually being based on simplifying hypotheses, are studied. Here, in contradiction to classical methods, the problems, connected with construction of refined theories of anisotropic nonhomogeneous plates with variable thickness without the assumption of any physical and geometrical re strictions, are investigated. The comparative analysis of such reduction methods was carried out, and, in particular, in section 5, the following fact was established: the error transition, occuring with substitution of a two-dimensional model for the initial problem on the class of assumed solutions is restricted from below. Further, in section 6, Vekua's method of reduction, containing regular pro cess of study of three-dimensional problem, is investigated. In this direction, the problems, connected with solvability, convergence of processes, and construction of effective algorithms of approximate solutions are studied.