Symmetry in Impact Mechanics of Materials and Structures

A special issue of Symmetry (ISSN 2073-8994). This special issue belongs to the section "Engineering and Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 385

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, China
Interests: experimental mechanics; mechanical inverse problems; macroscopic/microscopic characterization of material mechanical properties; metal additive and integrated manufacturing

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Symmetry simplifies analyses of complex systems and plays a key role in optimizing material properties, improving design efficiency, and ensuring structural safety. By applying symmetry, researchers can gain a deeper understanding of material and structural behavior under impact loading, enabling more accurate predictions of response and failure mechanisms. This Special Issue explores how symmetry influences the dynamic response of materials, structural stability, and design optimization, promoting a closer integration of theory and engineering practice.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but not limited to) the following:

  • Material Response: Symmetry enhances energy absorption, improves elastic–plastic deformation, and aids in crack propagation prediction.
  • Structural Stability: Symmetry optimizes shock wave propagation, minimizing energy loss and reducing structural damage under impact.
  • Numerical and Experimental Integration: Utilizing symmetry improves simulation and experimental design accuracy, increasing reliability.
  • Engineering Applications: Symmetry enhances material and structural designs, boosting performance and safety, especially in the aerospace and automotive industries.
  • Artificial Intelligence: AI integrated with symmetry optimizes designs, predicts damage, and supports real-time health monitoring.
  • Sensor Design: Symmetry principles refine sensor layout and performance, ensuring accurate monitoring and early damage detection.

I look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Hao Jiang
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Symmetry is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • impact mechanics
  • structural symmetry
  • material dynamic response
  • energy absorption mechanisms
  • crack propagation
  • shock wave propagation
  • numerical simulation
  • artificial intelligence optimization
  • damage detection
  • structural health monitoring

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

21 pages, 6146 KiB  
Article
Impact and Post-Impact Compression Buckling Behavior of Symmetrical Foam-Filled Hat-Stiffened Panels
by Da Liu, Zhijia Zheng, Yuhao Shen, Xiao Wei, Dawei Wang, Zhongsheng Zhai, Zhenfei Guo, Wei Feng, Shanting Ding and Xuanze Wang
Symmetry 2025, 17(4), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym17040570 - 9 Apr 2025
Viewed by 267
Abstract
This study investigates the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of SFHCPs under low-velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) conditions. Symmetric foam-filled hat-stiffened composite panels (SFHCPs) are widely used in critical load-bearing structures such as vessels and aircraft due to their high strength-to-weight [...] Read more.
This study investigates the mechanical behavior and failure mechanisms of SFHCPs under low-velocity impact and compression after impact (CAI) conditions. Symmetric foam-filled hat-stiffened composite panels (SFHCPs) are widely used in critical load-bearing structures such as vessels and aircraft due to their high strength-to-weight ratio and integrated stiffener design. However, due to the material’s high sensitivity to impact, it is necessary to conduct a systematic evaluation of its application reliability. By integrating experimental testing and numerical simulation, the buckling modes characterized by symmetry and envelope number were adopted as key performance indicators. The integration of an optical buckling measurement method with iterative finite element model (FEM) updates significantly enhances model accuracy and computational efficiency. Experimental results indicate that for specimens impacted at the mid-section of the stiffener the residual compressive strength drops sharply from 106 kN to 40.6 kN (a reduction of 61.7%), with the buckling mode changing from a symmetric four-wave pattern in the undamaged state to localized buckling in the impact region, leading to brittle failure. The integration of FPP data improved the accuracy of the FEM, highlighting the critical influence of the symmetry of the buckling mode in optimizing impact-resistant composite structures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Symmetry in Impact Mechanics of Materials and Structures)
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