Dear Colleagues,

Recent trends in engineering research are seeing diverse computer methods being applied for structural simulations involving advanced materials that are usually subjected to nonlinear deformation. In these problems, the selection of the appropriate constitutive model for describing the material’s mechanical response is crucial, which has to be supported by a robust computational framework (e.g., finite element method, boundary element method or meshless methods) in order to yield reliable simulated results both at the material point and at the overall structural scale. These methods are being applied in vast engineering and scientific branches, modelling a large diversity of materials, ranging from bio-materials, eco-materials, composites, textiles, glass, timber, paperboard to more commonly used materials such as metals, ceramics or concrete.

The reliability of these simulations depends to a large extent on the accuracy of the parameters entered into the governing equations of the constitutive models selected. The calibration of these parameters is traditionally carried out based on data collected from the experiments; these data can be destructive, quasi-non-destructive or completely non-destructive. Inverse analyses provide significant help when transitioning from experimentally measured quantities to the targeted parameters. A similar methodology, with only marginal modifications, can be successfully applied in the diagnostic analysis of aged or possibly damaged structural materials. Computer methods employed in the outlined problems of parameter identification may take advantage of novel techniques such as reduced order models, evolutionary algorithms and artificial neural networks.

This Special Issue of Materials is devoted to the application of some of the abovementioned methods combined with experimental techniques in diverse applications, including (but not limited to) aeronautical, biomechanical, civil and mechanical engineering.

Dr. Jakub Krzysztof Grabski
Dr. Buljak Vladimir
Dr. Aram Cornaggia
Guest Editors

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• numerical methods
• finite element method
• meshless methods
• boundary element method
• reduced order models
• artificial intelligence
• artificial neural networks
• evolutionary algorithms
• inverse problems
• structural optimization
• parameter identification
• material modelling
• material characterisation
• experimental material testing
• non‑destructive testing
• advanced materials
• engineered materials
• eco‑materials
• metamaterials