Advances in Structural Optimisation with Practical Applications

Introduction

Increasing demands, extreme events and ageing structures and infrastructure pose unprecedented challenges to our building and geotechnical systems worldwide.  Preservation of our existing structures and infrastructure along with the development of new technologies requires a rigorous, engineering-focused approach. This special issue on Structural Optimisation with Practical Applications seeks to advance the field by exploring the fundamental principles that govern structural function and to develop practical engineering solutions that ensure long-term sustainable resilience. We must embrace new ideas that emphasise the design and implementation of engineered systems that actively improve the resilience of our structural and infrastructure health. This perspective includes not only modern reinforced and composite systems, but also extensive stocks of existing and heritage masonry structures, whose material heterogeneity, limited tensile capacity, and vulnerability to seismic and environmental actions require specialised analytical and optimisation strategies.

We invite contributions that showcase innovative methodologies and technologies, including advanced numerical modelling of limit analysis and optimisation, and the development of robust monitoring systems for structural responses to increasingly diverse loading. This collection of papers will serve as a platform for disseminating cutting-edge research that brings together contributions from some of the world-leading researchers and practitioners in the field of structural optimisation with practical applications ranging from structures to geotechnics to create resilient and functional environments and communities. We encourage submissions that demonstrate a clear understanding of the underlying physical processes and provide quantifiable metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of engineered solutions in promoting system integrity.

The aim of this special issue is to commemorate the memory of the former Editor-in-Chief, Prof. Matthew Gilbert, by bringing world-leading researchers and practitioners in the field structural optimisation with practical applications to showcase the indispensable role of mechanics addressing critical challenges inherent in civil engineering. Matthew played a pioneering role in the development of structural optimisation inspiring many researchers and engineers to work in this field.

List of topic areas

• Limit analysis and advanced computational modelling
• Structural optimisation methods (topology, shape, size, reliability-based design)
• Optimisation, assessment, and strengthening of masonry and heritage structures
• Innovative materials and retrofit technologies
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) applications in fluid-structure interaction
• Structure Design and Optimization
• Remote Sensing, Monitoring, and Prognostics of Structures in a range of environments
• Bio-inspired Design and Engineering
• Soil–structure interaction and geotechnical optimisation
• Digital twin applications
• Resilient design under extreme and multi-hazard loading

Submissions Information

You can submit your full paper here. Once you have registered, navigate to the journal that you wish to submit to. Choose article type "Themed Issue" and then the specific name from the drop-down menu on screen.

Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.

Key deadlines