The remarkable increase of computer power in recent years has been instrumental in enabling the development of simulation-based analysis in current design activity. This still involves tremendous effort in research, which focuses on, for example, multi-field and multi-scale problems, algorithmic robustness, and geometrical accuracy. Moreover, several aspects of Contact Mechanics, Debonding and Fracture Mechanics, have been combined to offer new enhanced possibilities to the computer simulation of complex phenomena.
With these contributions of prominent scientists, this book offers a wide overview on the ongoing research at the highest level in the field.