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Today, multi-functional materials such as piezoelectric/ferroelectric ceramics, magneto-strictive and shape memory alloys are gaining increasing applications as sensors, actuators or smart composite materials systems for emerging high tech areas. The stable performance and reliability of these smart components under complex service loads is of paramount practical importance. However, most multi-functional materials suffer from various mechanical and/or electro-magnetical degra-dation mechanisms as fatigue, damage and fracture. Therefore, this exciting topic has become a challenge to intensive international research, provoking the interdisciplinary approach between solid mechanics, materials science and physics. This book summarizes the outcome of the above mentioned IUTAM-symposium, assembling contributions by leading scientists in this area.
Particularly, the following topics have been addressed: (1) Development of computational methods for coupled electromechanical field analysis, especially extended, adaptive and multi-level finite elements. (2) Constitutive modeling of non-linear smart material behavior with coupled electric, magnetic, thermal and mechanical fields, primarily based on micro-mechanical models. (3) Investigations of fracture and fatigue in piezoelectric and ferroelectric ceramics by means of process zone modeling, phase field simulation and configurational mechanics. (4) Reliability and durability of sensors and actuators under in service loading by alternating mechanical, electrical and thermal fields. (5) Experimental methods to measure fracture strength and to investigate fatigue crack growth in ferroelectric materials under electromechanical loading. (6) New ferroelectric materials, compounds and composites with enhanced strain capabilities.

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After studying physics at the University of Magdeburg, Prof. Dr. Meinhard Kuna worked as researcher and group leader at the Academy of Sciences of GDR (Institute of Solid State Physics and Electron Microscopy) in Halle. At the university of Halle he graduated with PhD Thesis (1978) and habilitation (1991) in the field of numerical methods in fracture mechanics. After German reunification, he became head of department at Fraunhofer institute for Mechanics of Materials Freiburg/Halle and later at MPA Stuttgart. Since 1997 he is full Professor for Applied Mechanics and Solid Mechanics at TU Bergakademie Freiberg. Prof. Kuna established an internationally recognized research group dealing with computational methods in fracture mechanics, damage mechanics and modelling of materials. His projects are devoted both to fundamental research and industrial applications, ranging from nuclear waste casks, piezoelectric materials to microelectronic devices. Prof. Kuna published about 240 papers and one monograph. He organized several national and international scientific conferences on fracture mechanics and is member of Editorial Boards in international journals.

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