As the theories and methods have evolved over the years, the mechanics of solid bodies has become unduly fragmented. Most books focus on specific aspects, such as the theories of elasticity or plasticity, the theories of shells, or the mechanics of materials. While a narrow focus serves immediate purposes, much is achieved by establishing the common foundations and providing a unified perspective of the discipline as a whole. Mechanics of Solids and Shells accomplishes these objectives. By emphasizing the underlying assumptions and the approximations that lead to the mathematical formulations, it offers a practical, unified presentation of the foundations of the mechanics of solids, the behavior of deformable bodies and thin shells, and the properties of finite elements. The initial chapters present the fundamental kinematics, dynamics, energetics, and behavior of materials that build the foundation for all of the subsequent developments. These are presented in full generality without the usual restrictions on the deformation. The general principles of work and energy form the basis for the consistent theories of shells and the approximations by finite elements. The final chapter views the latter as a means of approximation and builds a bridge between the mechanics of the continuum and the discrete assembly. Expressly written for engineers, Mechanics of Solids and Shells forms a reliable source for the tools of analysis and approximation. Its constructive presentation clearly reveals the origins, assumptions, and limitations of the methods described and provides a firm, practical basis for the use of those methods.

As the theories and methods have evolved over the years, the mechanics of solid bodies has become unduly fragmented. Most books focus on specific aspects, such as the theories of elasticity or plasticity, the theories of shells, or the mechanics of materials. While a narrow focus serves immediate purposes, much is achieved by establishing the common foundations and providing a unified perspective of the discipline as a whole. Mechanics of Solids and Shells accomplishes these objectives. By emphasizing the underlying assumptions and the approximations that lead to the mathematical formulations, it offers a practical, unified presentation of the foundations of the mechanics of solids, the behavior of deformable bodies and thin shells, and the properties of finite elements. The initial chapters present the fundamental kinematics, dynamics, energetics, and behavior of materials that build the foundation for all of the subsequent developments. These are presented in full generality without the usual restrictions on the deformation. The general principles of work and energy form the basis for the consistent theories of shells and the approximations by finite elements. The final chapter views the latter as a means of approximation and builds a bridge between the mechanics of the continuum and the discrete assembly. Expressly written for engineers, Mechanics of Solids and Shells forms a reliable source for the tools of analysis and approximation. Its constructive presentation clearly reveals the origins, assumptions, and limitations of the methods described and provides a firm, practical basis for the use of those methods.

Modern computer simulations make stress analysis easy. As they continue to replace classical mathematical methods of analysis, these software programs require users to have a solid understanding of the fundamental principles on which they are based.Develop Intuitive Ability to Identify and Avoid Physically Meaningless PredictionsApplied Mechanics o

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.

The authors present a modern continuum mechanics and mathematical framework to study shell physical behaviors, and to formulate and evaluate finite element procedures. With a view towards the synergy that results from physical and mathematical understanding, the book focuses on the fundamentals of shell theories, their mathematical bases and finite element discretizations. The complexity of the physical behaviors of shells is analysed, and the difficulties to obtain uniformly optimal finite element procedures are identified and studied. Some modern finite element methods are presented for linear and nonlinear analyses. A state of the art monograph by leading experts.

The book presents mathematical and mechanical aspects of the theory of plates and shells, applications in civil, aero-space and mechanical engineering, as well in other areas. The focus relates to the following problems:• comprehensive review of the most popular theories of plates and shells,• relations between three-dimensional theories and two-dimensional ones,• presentation of recently developed new refined plates and shells theories (for example, the micropolar theory or gradient-type theories),• modeling of coupled effects in shells and plates related to electromagnetic and temperature fields, phase transitions, diffusion, etc.,• applications in modeling of non-classical objects like, for example, nanostructures,• presentation of actual numerical tools based on the finite element approach.

Plate and shell theories experienced a renaissance in recent years. The potentials of smart materials, the challenges of adaptive structures, the demands of thin-film technologies and more on the one hand and the availability of newly developed mathematical tools, the tremendous increase in computer facilities and the improvement of commercial software packages on the other caused a reanimation of the scientific interest. In the present book the contributions of the participants of the EUROMECH Colloquium 444 "Critical Review of the Theories of Plates and Shells and New Applications" have been collected. The aim was to discuss the common roots of different plate and shell approaches, to review the current state of the art, and to develop future lines of research. Contributions were written by scientists with civil and mechanical engineering as well as mathematical and physical background.