This book has grown out of lectures and courses given at Linkoeping University, Sweden, over a period of 15 years. It gives an introductory treatment of problems and methods of structural optimization. The three basic classes of geometrical - timization problems of mechanical structures, i. e. , size, shape and topology op- mization, are treated. The focus is on concrete numerical solution methods for d- crete and (?nite element) discretized linear elastic structures. The style is explicit and practical: mathematical proofs are provided when arguments can be kept e- mentary but are otherwise only cited, while implementation details are frequently provided. Moreover, since the text has an emphasis on geometrical design problems, where the design is represented by continuously varying-frequently very many- variables, so-called ?rst order methods are central to the treatment. These methods are based on sensitivity analysis, i. e. , on establishing ?rst order derivatives for - jectives and constraints. The classical ?rst order methods that we emphasize are CONLIN and MMA, which are based on explicit, convex and separable appro- mations. It should be remarked that the classical and frequently used so-called op- mality criteria method is also of this kind. It may also be noted in this context that zero order methods such as response surface methods, surrogate models, neural n- works, genetic algorithms, etc. , essentially apply to different types of problems than the ones treated here and should be presented elsewhere.

This is a textbook on models and modeling in mechanics. It introduces a new unifying approach to applied mechanics: through the concept of the open scheme, a step-by-step approach to modeling evolves. The unifying approach enables a very large scope on relatively few pages: the book treats theories of mass points and rigid bodies, continuum models of solids and fluids, as well as traditional engineering mechanics of beams, cables, pipe flow and wave propagation. Models of Mechanics complements existing books that deal with continuum mechanics. In contrast to such books it gives a setting that is broad enough to encompass also the mechanics of mass points, and theories of beams and other intrinsically one-dimensional bodies. An obtained knowledge of the unifying approach can be a base for advanced studies of fluid and solid mechanics, as well as specializations in mechatronics, control and structural optimization.

This book has grown out of lectures and courses given at Linkoeping University, Sweden, over a period of 15 years. It gives an introductory treatment of problems and methods of structural optimization. The three basic classes of geometrical - timization problems of mechanical structures, i. e. , size, shape and topology op- mization, are treated. The focus is on concrete numerical solution methods for d- crete and (?nite element) discretized linear elastic structures. The style is explicit and practical: mathematical proofs are provided when arguments can be kept e- mentary but are otherwise only cited, while implementation details are frequently provided. Moreover, since the text has an emphasis on geometrical design problems, where the design is represented by continuously varying-frequently very many- variables, so-called ?rst order methods are central to the treatment. These methods are based on sensitivity analysis, i. e. , on establishing ?rst order derivatives for - jectives and constraints. The classical ?rst order methods that we emphasize are CONLIN and MMA, which are based on explicit, convex and separable appro- mations. It should be remarked that the classical and frequently used so-called op- mality criteria method is also of this kind. It may also be noted in this context that zero order methods such as response surface methods, surrogate models, neural n- works, genetic algorithms, etc. , essentially apply to different types of problems than the ones treated here and should be presented elsewhere.

This textbook on models and modeling in mechanics introduces a new unifying approach to applied mechanics: through the concept of the open scheme, a step-by-step approach to modeling evolves. The unifying approach enables a very large scope on relatively few pages: the book treats theories of mass points and rigid bodies, continuum models of solids and fluids, as well as traditional engineering mechanics of beams, cables, pipe flow and wave propagation.

This book deals with the dynamics of mechanical systems in presence of impact and friction. The contributors are an international group of engineers and scientists from industrial and academic institutions of more than 23 countries around the world concerned with the modeling, analysis, measurement and control of nonsmooth mechanical structures. Contact laws lead to mathematical models that are highly nonlinear and nonsmooth or discontinuous. Discontinuous and nonsmooth processes introduce problems with data processing techniques and analytical methods. Thanks to great advances in computer technology and computational analysis, as well as the introduction of new experimental devices such as the atomic-force microscope and the quartz-crystal-microbalance probe, the study of impact and friction - one of the oldest problems in physics, is now in a phase of rapid and exciting development. The growing number of research breakthroughs have promoted the development of new technologies in the description and design of systems with impact and friction models to understand nature, structures, machines, transportation systems, and other processes. A fairly comprehensive picture of these new developments is presented in this book by researchers who are giving up-to-date accounts of the present state of the field in many aspects.The book is essential for introducing readers in mechanical engineering, material science, applied mathematics, aerospace engineering, ocean engineering, biomechanics, and civil engineering to recent developments in nonsmooth mechanics. It is also useful for self-study purposes by professionals and practitioners in the field.