Energy Absorption of Axially-Impacted Column Controlled by Transverse Impact -- Seismic Performance of Tuned Mass Dampers -- Problems in Fast Moving Non-Holonomic Elastic Systems -- Using GPS sensors in Structural Mechanics -- Hybrid Control Procedures in Mitigating Cable Vibrations -- Thermal Stress Analysis in a Functionally Graded Material Considering Finite Thermal Wave Speed -- Numerical homogenization and optimization of smart composite materials -- Hybride Bell Tower Like Structures in Earthquake Environment -- Tracking of Stresses: A Further Step Towards Ageless Structures -- Non-Linear Dynamic Deformation of a Piezothermoelastic Laminate -- Determining Liquid Properties Using Mechanically Vibrating Sensors -- Mathematical Analysis of Flexural Vibration for a Functionally Graded Material Plate and Vibration Suppression by Flexural Wave Control -- Monitoring and control of multi-storey frame structures by strain-type actuators and sensors -- Transient Piezothermoelastic Problem of a Functionally Graded Thermopiezoelectric Cylindrical Panel -- Control of an Electronic Throttle Valve for Drive-by-Wire Applications -- Output Regulation of Smart Structures, Theory and Practice -- Analysis of Weld Induced Plasticity by BFM -- Evaluation of Internal Friction of Viscoelastic Composites with Meso-Scale Structures for Vibration Damping of Mechanical Structures -- An Identification Method of the Time Dependence of the Impact Force by Using Acoustic Response and FEM Analysis -- Infinite Row of Parallel Cracks in a Piezoelectric Material Strip under Mechanical and Transient Thermal Loadings -- Elastodynamic Doppler Effects by a Moving Interface -- Compensation of flexible vibrations in a two-link robot by piezoelectric actuation -- The basis of optimal active(static and dynamic) shape- and stress-control by means of smart materials.

Mechanics and model-based control are both rapidly expanding scientific fields and fundamental disciplines of mechatronics, sharing demanding mathematical and system-theoretic formulations and methods. The papers in this volume deal with smart materials, which allow the design and implementation of new types of actuator/sensor fields and networks. Main topics treated are fundamental studies on laminated, composite and functionally graded materials, thermal and piezoelectric actuation, active and passive damping, as well as vibrations and waves in smart structures. The book is based on the 1st Japanese-Austrian Workshop which took place in Linz in Fall 2008.