Instability of Dynamically-Loaded Structures

The article presents a review of the field of dynamic stability of structures. By structure, one means a flexible solid and therefore applications to rigid solids are excluded. Since many phenomena and many classes of problems have been included under the heading of dynamic stability, an effort is made to classify the various phenomena, and discuss similarities and differences. Furthermore, whenever applicable, criteria and estimates of critical conditions are presented. Moreover, an attempt is made to identify important effects and influences of various parameters, through proper referencing. Finally, in the case of fluid–structure type of instabilities the review is rather sketchy. For these types of problems the reader is referred to recent reviews of substantially greater depth and detail.