Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
DOI 10.1007/s00158-008-0293-9
BOOK REVIEW
Received: 18 March 2008 / Revised: 5 June 2008 / Accepted: 8 June 2008 / Published online: 22 July 2008
Springer-Verlag 2008
This book is the first monograph that comprehensively presents how the stability theory and optimization methods should be successfully married for
optimization of geometrically-nonlinear structure under stability constraint, which is a fast-growing branch
of application of both structural and mechanical engineering, and of applied mathematics. One important
aspect of this book is that it first serves as a bridge
connecting studies of elastic stability in computational
mechanics and in applied mathematics. A wider and
deeper insight into optimization-based and computerassisted stability design of discrete structures, which is
based on the unified approach to parameter sensitivity
analysis of finite-dimensional structures, is presented
in most readable and illustrative form for graduate
students of engineering and for applied mathematicians
as well as the professional structural and mechanical
engineers.
Another important aspect in optimization against
buckling is that optimized structures often become unfavorable (as Michael J. Thompson warned) by the
danger of naive optimization, through the inevitable
presence of initial imperfections that arise from errors
in manufacturing processes, material defects, and other
causes. This book provides all of us with wonderful
news: Through investigation of imperfection sensitivity,
worst imperfection, and random imperfection based on
the concrete theoretical framework, it is demonstrated
I. Elishakoff (B)
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton,
FL 33431-0991, USA
e-mail: elishako@fau.edu
URL: http://www.me.fau.edu/faculty/elishakoff.html
534
I. Elishakoff
top branching point. An optimum design considering the worst imperfection is presented. In Chapter 12,
a numerical procedure is proposed to obtain the worst
imperfection of braced frames considering mode interaction. In Chapter 13, a simple and numerically efficient
procedure is presented for determining the maximum
load factor of an imperfect elastic structure undergoing stable bifurcation. In Chapter 14, a procedure for
determining the maximum load factor is introduced
for column-type structures considering worst imperfections. In Chapter 15, probability density functions
of critical loads are derived based on an asymptotic
theory. The explicit form of probability density function
of critical loads is derived for a hilltop branching point.
The numerical procedure to obtain the probability density function is presented. In Chapter 16, the asymptotic
probabilistic theory is upgraded to be applicable up to
the minor imperfection, and a numerical procedure for
this theory is presented.
In the Appendix, derivations of several formulations
and details of numerical examples are presented. In
particular, the derivation of imperfection sensitivity
laws by the power series expansion method is an important ingredient for readers who are interested in
stability theory.
To sum up, this first-rate book offers an introduction
to optimization of geometrically nonlinear structures
under stability constraint. The great and inevitable
message of this book is that a thorough and profound
knowledge of nonlinear buckling behaviors is crucial,
via proper problem setting, as a step toward the successful design of the best structure. This book is wholeheartedly recommended to all engineers who deal with
applied mechanics, as well as to applied mathematicians
who are interested in real life applications of mathematics. It vividly shows that concerted efforts are needed
to achieve most appropriate engineering designs. Every
engineering & math library ought to have it; surely all
who deal with either stability or optimization ought to
get familiar with the contents of this outstanding book
on the extremely timely topic.