Special Issue: "Computational Mechanics of Structures and Materials".

Computational methods have always affected many engineering fields due to their enormous potential and ability to facilitate various tasks [...].

Third-Order Theory for the Bending Analysis of Laminated Thin and Thick Plates Including the Strain Gradient Effect.

The aim of the paper is the development of a third-order theory for laminated composite plates that is able to accurately investigate their bending behavior in terms of displacements and stresses. The starting point is given by the corresponding Reddy's Third-order Shear Deformation Theory (TSDT). This model is then generalized to consider simultaneously the Classical Laminated Plate Theory (CLPT), as well as the First-order Shear Deformation Theory (FSDT). The constitutive laws are modified according to the principles of the nonlocal strain gradient approach. The fundamental equations are solved analytically by means of the Navier methodology taking into account cross-ply and angle-ply lamination schemes. The numerical applications are presented to highlight the nonlocal effects on static behavior.

Special Issue: "Advances in Structural Mechanics Modeled with FEM".

The current Special Issue entitled "Advances in Structural Mechanics Modeled with FEM" aims to collect several numerical investigations and analyses focused on the use of the Finite Element Method (FEM) [...].

An Auto-Calibrating Semi-Adiabatic Calorimetric Methodology for Strength Prediction and Quality Control of Ordinary and Ultra-High-Performance Concretes.

A timely knowledge of concrete and ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) strength is possible through the so-called strength-equivalent time (Et) curves. A timely knowledge of concrete strength is useful, for instance, to precisely determine when the shores of a hardening structural element can be safely removed. At the present time, the preparation of the strength-Et curves requires time-consuming and labor-intensive testing prior to the beginning of construction operations. This paper proposes an innovative method to derive the strength-Et and total heat-Et curves for both normal strength and UHPC. Results confirmed that the proposed method is fast, inexpensive, self-calibrating, accurate and can detect any variation of the concrete mix proportions or components quality. In addition, the quality of predictions of strength-maturity curves can be constantly improved as the specimens' population increases. Finally, results obtained with the proposed method were compared with those obtained using standard methods, showing a good agreement.

FE Analyses of Hyperelastic Solids under Large Bending: The Role of the Searle Parameter and Eulerian Slenderness.

A theoretical model concerning the finite bending of a prismatic hyperelastic solid has been recently proposed. Such a model provides the 3D kinematics and the stress field, taking into account the anticlastic effects arising in the transverse cross sections also. That model has been used later to extend the Elastica in the framework of finite elasticity. In the present work, Finite Element (FE) analyses of some basic structural systems subjected to finite bending have been carried out and the results have been compared with those provided by the theoretical model performed previously. In the theoretical formulation, the governing equation is the nonlinear local relationship between the bending moment and the curvature of the longitudinal axis of the bent beam. Such a relation has been provided in dimensionless form as a function of the Mooney-Rivlin constitutive constants and two kinematic dimensionless parameters termed Eulerian slenderness and compactness index of the cross section. Such parameters take relevance as they are involved in the well-known Searle parameter for bent solids. Two significant study cases have been investigated in detail. The results point out that the theoretical model leads to reliable results provided that the Eulerian slenderness and the compactness index of the cross sections do not exceed fixed threshold values.

Free Vibrations of Sandwich Plates with Damaged Soft-Core and Non-Uniform Mechanical Properties: Modeling and Finite Element Analysis.

The paper aims to investigate the natural frequencies of sandwich plates by means of a Finite Element (FE) formulation based on the Reissner-Mindlin Zig-zag (RMZ) theory. The structures are made of a damaged isotropic soft-core and two external stiffer orthotropic face-sheets. These skins are strengthened at the nanoscale level by randomly oriented Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and are reinforced at the microscale stage by oriented straight fibers. These reinforcing phases are included in a polymer matrix and a three-phase approach based on the Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka scheme and on the Halpin-Tsai approach, which is developed to compute the overall mechanical properties of the composite material. A non-uniform distribution of the reinforcing fibers is assumed along the thickness of the skin and is modeled analytically by means of peculiar expressions given as a function of the thickness coordinate. Several parametric analyses are carried out to investigate the mechanical behavior of these multi-layered structures depending on the damage features, through-the-thickness distribution of the straight fibers, stacking sequence, and mass fraction of the constituents. Some final remarks are presented to provide useful observations and design criteria.

Assessment of stone columns as a mitigation technique of liquefaction-induced effects during Italian earthquakes (May 2012).

Soil liquefaction has been observed worldwide during recent major earthquakes with induced effects responsible for much of the damage, disruption of function, and considerable replacement expenses for structures. The phenomenon has not been documented in recent time with such damage in Italian context before the recent Emilia-Romagna Earthquake (May 2012). The main lateral spreading and vertical deformations affected the stability of many buildings and impacted social life inducing valuable lessons on liquefaction risk assessment and remediation. This paper aims first of all to reproduce soil response to liquefaction-induced lateral effects and thus to evaluate stone column mitigation technique effectiveness by gradually increasing the extension of remediation, in order to achieve a satisfactory lower level of permanent deformations. The study is based on the use of a FE computational interface able to analyse the earthquake-induced three-dimensional pore pressure generation adopting one of the most credited nonlinear theories in order to assess realistically the displacements connected to lateral spreading.