Structural Plasticity

Structural concrete designers nowadays distinguish between B-regions (named after Bernoulli beam theory) and D-regions (D standing for ‘disturbed’). They are all familiar with B-regions, but less acquainted with the expertise required for D-regions. To design D-regions, the Strut-and-Tie Model (STM) is usually applied, a model laid down worldwide in structural codes of practice. The Stringer-Panel Model (SPM) recommended here is a companion method to the STM, with the advantage of being suitable for different load cases and reversed loading. This being so, the SPM is suitable for linear-elastic analyses where durability is a key consideration, but also suits structural design for contexts of cyclical seismic activity. Finally, this book sets out how structural engineers who prefer the STM can nevertheless apply the SPM to determine a proper strut-and-tie model.

The reader aware in Structural Mechanics will find in this book a source of fruitful
knowledge and effective tools useful for imagining, creating, and promoting novel and challenging developments. It addresses a wide range of topics, such as mechanics and geotechnics, vibration and damping, damage and friction, experimental methods, and advanced structural materials.

This book brings together some 20 chapters on state-of-the-art research in the broad field of computational plasticity with applications in civil and mechanical engineering, metal forming processes, geomechanics, nonlinear structural analysis, composites, biomechanics and multi-scale analysis of materials, among others. The chapters are written by world leaders in the different fields of computational plasticity.