Stability of Structures: Elastic, Inelastic, Fracture, and Damage Theories

Here is a comprehensive new textbook on one of the key subjects in engineering science: structural stability. Describing the principles and applications of stability analysis, the text is intended for first-year graduate students. It will also serve as a valuable reference for engineers and scientists seeking information on basic ideas, approaches, and concepts. In addition to traditional topics in elastic stability, the work gives considerable attention to nonelastic stability. It also examines modern stability problems of fracture and damage, the thermodynamic principles of stability in irreversible systems, viscoelastic and viscoplastic buckling, and many other key areas where information has been hard to locate or scattered among different sources. The emphasis is on providing an understanding of basic principles rather than detailed solutions of specialized problems. The treatment of each subject proceeds from simple examples to general concepts and rigorous formulations. All the basic results are derived, using mathematics as simple as possible without sacrificing efficiency. Much recent research is presented and the volume is as up-to-date as it is comprehensive. Many examples are given to illustrate key concepts, and 700 exercise problems will help students master this important subject.

Zdenek P. Bazant, Professor and Director, Center for Concrete and Geomaterials, Northwestern University. Luigi Cedolin, Professor of Structural Engineering, Politecnico di Milano.