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...

LIOn Delamination of Laminated Composites (a) Fiber-Reinforced Composites Considerable technological advances in the production of high-strength fibers (graphite, boron, etc.) have led to a wide use of light high-strength composite materials (graphite epoxy, boron-epoxy, etc.). It is expedient, to make thin walled composite rods, plates, and shells from such materials. Plates can be made by bonding a set of unidirectional thin fiber layers, Fig.l.l. Such plates are orthotropic, as a rule. A random short-fiber composite is shown in Fig. 1.2. Fiber-reinforced composites are widely used in...

This book originally appeared as a text prepared for the Defense Nuclear Agency to summarize research on dynamic pulse buckling, by the authors and their colleagues at SRI International, during the period from 1960 to 1980. The original printing of 300 copies by the DNA Press was followed shortly by a small second printing to meet the demand by readers who heard of the book from the primary recipients. This supply was also quickly exhausted, to researchers and practicing engineers outside the DNA community and to academics who wanted to include the material in courses on elastic and plastic...

This report describes the work performed by Lockheed Palo Alto Research Labora tory, Palo Alto, California 94304. The work was sponsored by Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Bolling AFB, Washington, D. C. under Grant F49620-77-C-0l22 and by the Flight Dynamics Laboratory, Air Force Wright Aeronautical Laboratories, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio under Contract F3361S-76-C-31OS. The work was completed under Task 2307Nl, "Basic Research in Behavior of Metallic and Composite Components of Airframe Structures." The work was admini stered by Lt. Col. J. D. Morgan (AFOSR) and Dr. N. S. Khot...

This book is designed for use by students and teachers in the field of applied mechanics and mathematics, and for practitioners in civil and mechanical engineering. Since tensor calculus is an indispensable prerequisite when dealing with the theory of elasticity in a modern way, the first part of the book consists in an introduction into this subject. In the second part, the physical foundations of the theory of elasticity are given, including nonlinearities. The excursion into the field of geometric and physical nonlinearities is done in order to prepare the reader for further advances into...