Similitude theory allows engineers, through a set of tools known as similitude methods, to establish the necessary conditions to design a scaled (up or down) model of a full-scale prototype structure. In recent years, to overcome the obstacles associated with full-scale testing, such as cost and setup, research on similitude methods has grown and their application has expanded into many branches of engineering. The aim of this paper is to provide as comprehensive a review as possible about similitude methods applied to structural engineering and their limitations due to size effects, rate sensitivity phenomena, etc. After a brief historical introduction and a more in-depth analysis of the main methods, the paper focuses on similitude applications classified, first, by test article, then by engineering fields.

The weak form quadrature element method (QEM) combines the generality of the finite element method (FEM) with the accuracy of spectral techniques and thus has been projected by its proponents as a potential alternative to the conventional finite element method. The progression on the QEM and its applications is clear from past research, but this has been scattered over many papers. This paper presents a state-of-the-art review of the QEM employed to analyze a variety of problems in science and engineering, which should be of general interest to the community of the computational mechanics. The difference between the weak form quadrature element method (WQEM) and the time domain spectral element method (SEM) is clarified. The review is carried out with an emphasis to present static, buckling, free vibration, and dynamic analysis of structural members and structures by the QEM. A subroutine to compute abscissas and weights in Gauss–Lobatto–Legendre (GLL) quadrature is provided in the Appendix.

This study revisits Timoshenko beam theory (TBT). It discusses at depth a more consistent and simpler governing differential equation. The so-called second spectrum is also addressed. Then, we provide the asymptotic justification of the aforementioned differential equation along with detailed discussion of the boundary and initial conditions. The paper also presents remarks of historical character, in the context of other pertinent studies.

This paper reviews the state-of-the-art in numerical wave propagation analysis. The main focus in that regard is on guided wave-based structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. A brief introduction to SHM and SHM-related problems is given, and various numerical methods are then discussed and assessed with respect to their capability of simulating guided wave propagation phenomena. A detailed evaluation of the following methods is compiled: (i) analytical methods, (ii) semi-analytical methods, (iii) the local interaction simulation approach (LISA), (iv) finite element methods (FEMs), and (v) miscellaneous methods such as mass–spring lattice models (MSLMs), boundary element methods (BEMs), and fictitious domain methods. In the framework of the FEM, both time and frequency domain approaches are covered, and the advantages of using high order shape functions are also examined.

The anisotropy of composite plates often poses difficulties for stress field analysis in the presence of notches. The most common methods for these analyses are: (i) analytical means (AM), (ii) finite element analysis (FEA), and (iii) semi-analytical means (SAM). In industry, FEA has been especially popular for the determination of stresses in small to medium size parts but can require a considerable amount of computing power and time. For faster analyses, one can use AM. The available solutions for a given problem, however, can be quite limited. Additionally, AM implemented in commercial computer software are scarce and difficult to find. Due to this, these methods are not widespread and SAM were proposed. SAM combine the (easy) implementation of complex problems from FEA and the computational efficiency from AM to reduce the difficulty on mathematical operation and increase computational speed with respect to FEA. AM, however, are still the fastest and most accurate way to determine the stress field in a given problem. Complex problems, however, e.g., finite width plates with multiple loaded/unloaded notches, require a significant amount of mathematical involvement which quickly discourages, even seasoned, scientists, and engineers. To encourage the use of AM, this paper gives a brief review of the mathematical basis of AM followed by a historic perspective on the expansions originating from this mathematical basis. Specifically the case of a two-dimensional anisotropic plate with unloaded cut-outs subjected to in-plane static load is presented.

This paper reviews some topics related to the advances and applications of structural impact dynamics in recent years. Dynamic behavior of structural members including tubes, beams and plates under axial or transverse loading, and cellular materials and sandwich structures under impact or blast loading are summarized here. The research methodology involves experimental studies, theoretical modeling, as well as numerical simulations. However, as we mainly focus on the longer time dynamic responses of structures and cellular materials, studies of stress wave propagation and the material's strain-rate sensitivity are not included.

Many of the early works on symplectic elasticity were published in Chinese and as a result, the early works have been unavailable and unknown to researchers worldwide. It is the main objective of this paper to highlight the contributions of researchers from this part of the world and to disseminate the technical knowledge and innovation of the symplectic approach in analytic elasticity and applied engineering mechanics. This paper begins with the history and background of the symplectic approach in theoretical physics and classical mechanics and subsequently discusses the many numerical and analytical works and papers in symplectic elasticity. This paper ends with a brief introduction of the symplectic methodology. A total of more than 150 technical papers since the middle of 1980s have been collected and discussed according to various criteria. In general, the symplectic elasticity approach is a new concept and solution methodology in elasticity and applied mechanics based on the Hamiltonian principle with Legendre’s transformation. The superiority of this symplectic approach with respect to the classical approach is at least threefold: (i) it alters the classical practice and solution technique using the semi-inverse approach with trial functions such as those of Navier, Lévy, and Timoshenko; (ii) it consolidates the many seemingly scattered and unrelated solutions of rigid body movement and elastic deformation by mapping with a series of zero and nonzero eigenvalues and their associated eigenvectors; and (iii) the Saint–Venant problems for plane elasticity and elastic cylinders can be described in a new system of equations and solved. A unique feature of this method is that bending of plate becomes an eigenvalue problem and vibration becomes a multiple eigenvalue problem.

Presented herein is a literature review on the design and performance of antimotion structures/devices such as breakwaters, submerged plates, oscillating water column breakwaters, air-cushion, auxiliary attachments, and mechanical joints for mitigating the hydroelastic response of very large floating structures (VLFS) under wave action. Shapes of VLFS that could minimize the hydrodynamic response of the structure are also discussed. The analytical, numerical, and experimental methods used in studying the effect of these antimotion structures/devices toward reducing the hydroelastic responses of VLFS are also reviewed.

The present state-of-the-art article is devoted to the analysis of new trends and recent results carried out during the last 10 years in the field of fractional calculus application to dynamic problems of solid mechanics. This review involves the papers dealing with study of dynamic behavior of linear and nonlinear 1DOF systems, systems with two and more DOFs, as well as linear and nonlinear systems with an infinite number of degrees of freedom: vibrations of rods, beams, plates, shells, suspension combined systems, and multilayered systems. Impact response of viscoelastic rods and plates is considered as well. The results obtained in the field are critically estimated in the light of the present view of the place and role of the fractional calculus in engineering problems and practice. This articles reviews 337 papers and involves 27 figures.

Stiffened plates and shells are encountered in many engineering applications. Several analytical and numerical procedures were developed over the past decades for analysis of these structures. Empirical and simplified analytical models were also developed to estimate their ultimate strength for various limit states. The paper reviews and pieces together engineering work developed for all the applications. The first part reviews the analytical, numerical, and orthotropic plate procedures that were developed for analysis of stiffened plates and shells. The structural idealization, the theoretical basis, and the merits of each method are also discussed. The second part of the paper reviews the design philosophies that were developed to predict the ultimate strength of these structures. The influence of various parameters affecting the structural performance, such as geometric and material imperfections, stiffener profile, etc., is discussed. The optimization procedures to minimize the weight of the structure are also reviewed. The paper offers a comprehensive and unique “reference-manual” for all types of stiffened plate applications.

A large variety of plate theories are described and assessed in the present work to evaluate the bending and vibration of sandwich structures. A brief survey of available works is first given. Such a survey includes significant review papers and latest developments on sandwich structure modelings. The kinematics of classical, higher order, zigzag, layerwise, and mixed theories is described. An exhaustive numerical assessment of the whole theories is provided in the case of closed form solutions of simply supported panels made of orthotropic layers. Reference is made to the unified formulation that has recently been introduced by the first author for a plate/shell analysis. Attention has been given to displacements, stresses (both in-plane and out-of-plane components), and the free vibration response. Only simply supported orthotropic panels loaded by a transverse distribution of bisinusoidal pressure have been analyzed. Five benchmark problems are treated. The accuracy of the plate theories is established with respect to the length-to-thickness-ratio (LTR) geometrical parameters and to the face-to-core-stiffness-ratio (FCSR) mechanical parameters. Two main sources of error are outlined, which are related to LTR and FCSR, respectively. It has been concluded that higher order theories (HOTs) can be conveniently used to reduce the error due to LTR in thick plate cases. But HOTs are not effective in increasing the accuracy of the classical theory analysis whenever the error is caused by increasing FCSR values; layerwise analysis becomes mandatory in this case.

This paper reviews most of the recent research done in the field of dynamic stability/dynamic instability/parametric excitation/parametric resonance characteristics of structures with special attention to parametric excitation of plate and shell structures. The solution of dynamic stability problems involves derivation of the equation of motion, discretization, and determination of dynamic instability regions of the structures. The purpose of this study is to review most of the recent research on dynamic stability in terms of the geometry (plates, cylindrical, spherical, and conical shells), type of loading (uniaxial uniform, patch, point loading … ), boundary conditions (SSSS, SCSC, CCCC … ), method of analysis (exact, finite strip, finite difference, finite element, differential quadrature, and experimental … ), method of determination of dynamic instability regions (Lyapunovian, perturbation, and Floquet’s methods), order of theory being applied (thin, thick, three-dimensional, nonlinear … ), shell theory used (Sanders’, Love’s and Donnell’s), materials of structures (homogeneous, bimodulus, composite, FGM … ), and the various complicating effects such as geometrical discontinuity, elastic support, added mass, fluid structure interactions, nonconservative loading and twisting, etc. The important effects on dynamic stability of structures under periodic loading have been identified and influences of various important parameters are discussed. A review of the subject for nonconservative systems in detail will be presented in Part 2. This review paper cites 156 references.

It has still not been shown that current failure theories can be accurate for all loading configurations, boundary conditions, layups, and thicknesses of composite laminates. A comprehensive discussion is neither available in the most recent bibliographical reviews, nor in the most recent assessments of their accuracy. In this review article, new failure theories, recent improvements to existing theories, and the most relevant contributions to the modeling of failure mechanisms of composites with continuous reinforcement fibers are discussed, together with their recent applications. The most recent physically based practical failure criteria, which use standard engineering quantities, have affordable computational costs and do not require empirical parameters to be examined for a variety of situations. Their predictions are compared to those of generalized failure criteria currently implemented into widespread finite element codes. The objective is to offer designers a guidance of the range of validity of current theories. To enlarge the set of tests for a single theory, the sample test set, i.e., layups, constituent materials, loading configurations, and boundary conditions, and the experimental results used to develop a failure criterion are used for different criteria. The finite element analysis is carried out using three-dimensional (3D), mixed elements capable of very accurately predicting the local stresses. The ply level stresses are computed discretizing the layers by a 3D meshing. The fiber and matrix stresses, which can differ significantly from the ply level stresses, are computed using a local 3D discretization of the constituents. The phase-averaged fiber and matrix stresses and the ply level stresses are used for failure computations. It is seen that generalized failure criteria can be as accurate as physically based failure criteria for some cases, while the opposite occurs for other cases. Likewise, a criterion can be the most accurate for a particular case and inaccurate in other cases. None of the failure criteria considered appeared accurate for all of the cases considered. However, a group of physically based criteria is identified that, collectively, provides quite accurate predictions. These criteria could be used as reciprocal checks. There on 136 references cited in this reivew article.

Three-dimensional (3D) constitutive equations of piezoelectric (PZ) plates and shells are considered for inverse linear and electrostrictive (quadratic) piezoeffects. Prestressed multilayer PZ shells reinforced with metal including the case of uneven thickness polarization are studied. Asymptotic and variational methods to solve the governing differential equations of PZ shells are considered. Concentrations of electrical and mechanical fields near structure imperfections and external local loading are investigated. The electrothermoviscoelastic heating of PZ shells is considered at harmonic excitation. From numerical analysis and the experimental data of energy dissipation and the temperature behavior of PZ shell the conditions of optimal transformation of electric energy into mechanical deformations are defined. Thus, the geometrical parameters and working frequencies are determined with due account of dielectric relaxation processes. The following nonlinear phenomena are studied: acoustoelectronic wave amplification; electron injection into metalized polar dielectric; resonance growth by 5–20 times of internal electrical field strength in the PZ shells and plates; and autothermostabilization of ferroelectric resonators. For a better understanding of R.D. Mindlin’s gradient theory of polarization in view of electron processes in thin metal-dielectric-metal structures, use was made of solid state physics interpretations as well as experimental data. High concentration of mechanical stresses and temperature and electrical fields near structure defects (first of all, near boundary between various materials) defines the main properties of polar dielectrics. An unknown domain of electrode rough surface influence was estimated, and as result an uneven polarization distribution was found. A theory of nonlinear autowave systems with energy dissipation was used in a physical model of the electrothermal fracture of dielectrics (contacting with metal electrodes), and as a result a nondestructive testing method to study the microstructure defect formation has been suggested.

This review covers studies dealing with simplified analytical models for ballistic penetration of an impactor into different solid media, namely, metals, soil, concrete, and composites at high speeds, but not at hypervelocities. The overview covers mainly papers that were published in the last decade, but not analyzed in previous reviews on impact dynamics. Both mathematical models and their engineering applications are considered. The review covers 280 citations.

This paper presents an overview of the Trefftz finite element and its application in various engineering problems. Basic concepts of the Trefftz method are discussed, such as T-complete functions, special purpose elements, modified variational functionals, rank conditions, intraelement fields, and frame fields. The hybrid-Trefftz finite element formulation and numerical solutions of potential flow problems, plane elasticity, linear thin and thick plate bending, transient heat conduction, and geometrically nonlinear plate bending are described. Formulations for all cases are derived by means of a modified variational functional and T-complete solutions. In the case of geometrically nonlinear plate bending, exact solutions of the Lamé-Navier equations are used for the in-plane intraelement displacement field, and an incremental form of the basic equations is adopted. Generation of elemental stiffness equations from the modified variational principle is also discussed. Some typical numerical results are presented to show the application of the finite element approach. Finally, a brief summary of the approach is provided and future trends in this field are identified. There are 151 references cited in this revised article.

The fracture mechanics of plates and shells under membrane, bending, twisting, and shearing loads are reviewed, starting with the crack tip fields for plane stress, Kirchhoff, and Reissner theories. The energy release rate for each of these theories is calculated and is used to determine the relation between the Kirchhoff and Reissner theories for thin plates. For thicker plates, this relationship is explored using three-dimensional finite element analysis. The validity of the application of two-dimensional (plate theory) solutions to actual three-dimensional objects is analyzed and discussed. Crack tip fields in plates undergoing large deflection are analyzed using von Ka´rma´n theory. Solutions for cracked shells are discussed as well. A number of computational methods for determining stress intensity factors in plates and shells are discussed. Applications of these computational approaches to aircraft structures are examined. The relatively few experimental studies of fracture in plates under bending and twisting loads are also reviewed. There are 101 references cited in this article.