Nonlinear vibration of continuous systems

Continuous systems, such as beams, membranes, plates, shells, and other structural/mechanical components, represent fundamental elements of mechanical systems in any field of engineering: Aerospace, Aeronautics, Automation, Automotive, Civil, Nuclear, Petroleum, and Railways. The modern designer is required to optimize structural elements to improve the performance-to-cost ratio, produce lightweight machines, and improve the efficiency. Such optimizations easily lead to a magnification of vibration/dynamic problems such as resonances, instabilities, and nonlinear behaviors. Therefore, the development of new methods of analysis, testing, and monitoring is greatly welcome. This special issue focuses on sharing recent advances and developments of theories, algorithms, and applications that involve the dynamics and vibrations of continuous systems. The contributions to this special issue include innovative theoretical studies, advanced numerical simulations, and new experimental approaches to investigate and better understand complex dynamic phenomena; more specifically, methods and theories for beams, membranes, plates, and shells; numerical approaches for structural elements; fluid-structure interaction; nonlinear acoustics; identification, diagnosis, friction models, and vehicle dynamics. Seventeen contributions have been received from all over the world: Canada, China, Kazakhstan, Italy, Macau, Spain, and USA. This shows the generalized interest on the topic. The following short description of the special issue content is organized by grouping the contributions in coherent subtopics.