In many applications composite structures are subjected to vibration which strongly influences service performance and life. This is the first systematic pre- sentation of the problems of and analytical techniques for random vibration and its effect on different types of composite structures.

This volume explains the dramatic effect of cross-correlations in forming the structural response of aircraft in turbulent excitation, ships in rough seas, cars on irregular roads, and other dynamic regimes. It brings into sharp focus the dramatic effect of cross correlations often neglected due to the analytical difficulty of their evaluation. Veteran author Professor Isaac Elishakoff illustrates how neglect of cross correlations could result in underestimation of the response by tens or hundreds of percentages the effect of the random vibrations of structures’ main elements, including beams, plates, and shells.

The first edition of this book appeared over three decades ago (Wiley-Interscience, 1983), whereas the second one saw light on the verge of new millennium (Dover, 1999). This is third, corrected and expanded edition that appears in conjunction with its companion volume .Thus, the reader is able to both get acquainted with the theoretical material and be able to master some of the problems, following Chinese dictum: I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand — Confucius.The main idea of the book lies in the fact that three topics: probabilistic strength of materials, random vibrations, and probabilistic buckling are presented in a single package allowing one to see the forest in between the trees. Indeed, these three topics usually are presented in separate manners, in different specialized books. Here, the reader gets a feeling of true unity of the subject at large in order to appreciate that in the end what one wants is reliability of the structure, in conjunction with its operating conditions.As the author describes in the Preface of the second edition, this book was not conceived ab initio, as a book that author strived to compose. Rather, it was forced, as it were, upon me due to two reasons. One was rather a surprising but understandable requirement in the venerable Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands to prepare the lecture notes for students with the view of reducing skyrocketing costs of acquisition of textbooks by the students. The other one was an unusually warm acceptance of the notes that the author prepared while at Delft University of Technology and later in Haifa, at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology by the legendary engineering scientist Warner Tjardus Koiter (1914-1997). The energy necessary to prepare the second and third editions came from enthusiastic reviews that appeared in various sources. Author embraced the simplicity of exposition as the main virtue following Isaac Newton's view that 'Truth is ever to be found in simplicity, and not in the multiplicity and confusion of things.'

The refined theory of beams, which takes into account both rotary inertia and shear deformation, was developed jointly by Timoshenko and Ehrenfest in the years 1911-1912. In over a century since the theory was first articulated, tens of thousands of studies have been performed utilizing this theory in various contexts. Likewise, the generalization of the Timoshenko-Ehrenfest beam theory to plates was given by Uflyand and Mindlin in the years 1948-1951.The importance of these theories stems from the fact that beams and plates are indispensable, and are often occurring elements of every civil, mechanical, ocean, and aerospace structure.Despite a long history and many papers, there is not a single book that summarizes these two celebrated theories. This book is dedicated to closing the existing gap within the literature. It also deals extensively with several controversial topics, namely those of priority, the so-called 'second spectrum' shear coefficient, and other issues, and shows vividly that the above beam and plate theories are unnecessarily overcomplicated.In the spirit of Einstein's dictum, 'Everything should be made as simple as possible but not simpler,' this book works to clarify both the Timoshenko-Ehrenfest beam and Uflyand-Mindlin plate theories, and seeks to articulate everything in the simplest possible language, including their numerous applications.This book is addressed to graduate students, practicing engineers, researchers in their early career, and active scientists who may want to have a different look at the above theories, as well as readers at all levels of their academic or scientific career who want to know the history of the subject. The Timoshenko-Ehrenfest Beam and Uflyand-Mindlin Plate Theories are the key reference works in the study of stocky beams and thick plates that should be given their due and remain important for generations to come, since classical Bernoulli-Euler beam and Kirchhoff-Love theories are applicable for slender beams and thin plates, respectively.Related Link(s)

Over the past three decades advanced polymer composites have emerged as an attractive construction material for new structures and the strengthening/rehabilitation of existing buildings and bridges. The techniques associated with the technology, analysis and design of polymer composites in construction are continually being researched and the progress made with this exciting material will continue at an ever- increasing rate to meet the demands of the construction industry. This volume of proceedings is from the Second ACIC 2004 International Conference, which focused on the application and further exploitation of advanced composites in construction. The conference allowed practising engineers, asset managers, researchers and representative of regulatory bodies to promote the active exchange of scientific and technical information on the rapidly changing scene of advanced composites in construction. This volume focuses on the presentation of new concepts, techniques and case studies, which will lead to greater exploitation of advanced polymer composites and FRP materials for civil engineering infrastructure, rehabilitation and renewal. Presents new concepts, techniques and case studies