Solids • Structures • Fluids • Multiphysics

Computers & Structures publishes advances in the development and use of computational methods for the solution of problems in engineering and the sciences. The range of appropriate contributions is wide, and includes papers on establishing appropriate mathematical models and their numerical solution in all areas of mechanics. The journal also includes articles that present a substantial review of a field in the topics of the journal.

With the modern use of computers and numerical methods to model and solve problems, the traditional boundaries between the fields of solid/structural mechanics and fluid mechanics hardly exist any longer, and multiphysics problems are solved that involve all aspects of mechanics. The word 'structures' must therefore now be interpreted in a broad sense including solids, fluids and multiphysics.

Computers & Structures publishes papers in these fields that either present novel and quite general techniques, or offer substantial new insights into important methods. If a paper presents novel techniques, some comparison with known advanced methods is necessary. If a paper is to provide substantial new insights into advanced methods, then this can be achieved by strong numerical experiments, some mathematical analysis, and/or comparisons with well-designed physical test data. In either case, the paper must contribute to advancing the state of the art.

The focus of Computers & Structures is on having an impact on the practice of simulations in mechanics as found in many industries and research endeavours, including the fields of engineering, such as civil and environmental, mechanical, biomechanical, automotive, aeronautical, and ocean engineering, and including the various fields of the sciences.

In these areas, papers are sought on the automatic solution of mathematical models of 'structures' in the broadest sense, possibly including phenomena of multiphysics, multiscale, and uncertainties. Also, papers presenting algorithms for optimization and the simulation of complete life cycles of systems are sought.

Established in 1971, and with online submission and review launched in 2006, Computers & Structures is indispensable for researchers and practitioners in academic, governmental and industrial communities.

Related Conferences: can be accessed via the links on the right menu bar, under Related websites.

Special Issue on Research Progress and Applications of Deformation Reconstruction for Smart Sensing and Structural Health Monitoring of Aerostructures
Submission Date: 2024-09-30

In the current landscape of aerospace engineering, the significance of Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems has experienced substantial growth. This phenomenon is primarily attributed to the rapid advancements in sensor technologies and intelligent sensing capabilities, coupled with innovative approaches for addressing complex issues. A notable recent advancement involves utilizing networks of sensors and digital models to reconstruct the changing shapes of structures, commonly referred to as shape sensing. This development holds significant importance as it greatly enhances real-time, integrated monitoring systems. These systems assume a vital role in offering concrete insights into the mechanical behaviors of aerospace structures during flight operations. Consequently, in the past decade, both academic and industrial sectors have concentrated their efforts on developing inventive algorithms centered on sensors. These algorithms are designed to facilitate continuous monitoring and evaluation during the operational conditions. These developments not only enhance overall performance and safety measures but also offer promising advantages for diverse aerospace structures made from metallic, composite, and hybrid materials.

The aim of this Special Issue is to showcase the most recent advancements in the domain of emerging computational and experimental methods created for the real-time reconstruction of shape changes, as well as the distribution of strains and stresses in aerospace structures. The goal is to bring together a variety of research results, including computer simulations and practical applications of advanced smart sensing technologies. These technologies are specifically designed to measure and quantify deformations, strains, and stresses across the entire volume of structural components, both on a larger scale and in specific areas, while they are under active operational conditions. They achieve this by utilizing measurements taken directly in the operating environment and by making use of techniques to optimize the sensors' performance. Furthermore, this Special Issue will also explore approaches to identify and predict damage to structures based on analyzing complete sets of data showing how the structures respond to different conditions. This scope includes a range of endeavors, such as identifying and monitoring fracture patterns, assessing the resilience of materials to fatigue, reconstructing essential vibration patterns, providing data for controlling the behavior of adaptive structures, and several other related principles. Furthermore, the scope extends to include the implementation of sensor optimization algorithms tailored for high-performance and economical shape sensing solutions. It also involves innovative inverse techniques developed for the reconstruction of both linear and nonlinear structural deformations.

This Special Issue is soliciting contributions in the form of original research articles to expound upon the advances, diagnoses, impacts, and complexities associated with deformation reconstruction within the setting of aerospace structural health monitoring. It aspires to enrich the domain of applied digital twins by casting illumination upon the assimilation of diverse sensor typologies—ranging from fiber optic and resistive sensors to piezoelectric counterparts—into the fabric of physical structures. Thereby engendering invaluable insights concerning real-time comprehensive mechanical behavior. Submissions are invited encompassing a breadth of potential subjects, embracing but not confined to the ensuing categories:

    Innovative computational models and experimental methodologies relevant to deformation reconstruction and the field of Structural Health Monitoring.
    Theoretical, empirical, and experimental methodologies encompassed by the domain of the inverse Finite Element Method (iFEM).
    Novel algorithms and methodologies designed for the purpose of damage identification, localization, characterization, and predictive analysis based on full-field deformation and strain datasets.
    Non-traditional approaches for sensor positioning and optimization methodologies driving deformation reconstruction and damage detection processes.
    Exploring nonlinear deformation reconstruction within morphing structures and/or the determination of aero structural vibrational modes using discrete strain datasets.

This open call warmly invites enthusiastic researchers and respected experts to contribute their original research or comprehensive review articles. These contributions should focus on cutting-edge computational methods, numerical algorithms, and innovative experimental techniques relevant to the field of intelligent sensing for complex aeronautical and aerospace structures. The overarching aim is to inspire greater creativity and innovation within these pertinent fields.

Guest editors:

Assoc. Prof. Adnan Kefal
Sabanci University, İstanbul, Türkiye

Prof. Marco Gherlone
Polytechnic of Turin, Torino, Italy

Dr. Alexander Tessler
NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia, United States of America

Manuscript submission information:

    Open for Submission: from 01-Dec-2023 to 30-Sept-2024
    Submission Site: Editorial Manager®
    Article Type Name: "VSI: Advances in Shape Sensing" - please select this item when you submit manuscripts online

For any inquiries about the appropriateness of contribution topics, welcome to contact Assoc. Prof. Adnan Kefal.

Guide for Authors will be helpful for your future contributions, read more: Guide for authors - Computers & Structures - ISSN 0045-7949 (elsevier.com)

For more information about our Journal, please visit our ScienceDirect Page: Computers & Structures | Journal | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier

Keywords:

    Structural Health Monitoring
    inverse problem
    deformation reconstruction
    damage diagnosis and prognosis
    sensor optimization
    aerostructures
    morphing structures