A review of nonlinear dynamics and vibration in lightweight composite structures: recent advances and challenges

Journal article : Review

Advanced lightweight composite structures have become increasingly important in modern industry due to their high strength-to-weight ratio, design flexibility, fatigue resistance, and potential for structural/functional integration. However, their inherent thin-walled nature makes them susceptible to large-amplitude nonlinear vibrations under complex coupled physical fields, potentially leading to performance degradation and structural failure. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the nonlinear vibration behavior of lightweight composite structures. We categorize these structures based on their geometric architecture and constituent materials. Furthermore, we describe and compare traditional and advanced modeling techniques, followed by a detailed illustration of solution methods and nonlinear dynamic response analysis. Finally, we discuss future challenges and research directions in this field. This review aims to serve as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers involved in the design and analysis of lightweight composite structures.

Authors: Liu, Y; Vella, D; Qin, Z; Chu, F; Amabili, M

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Journal: Engineering Structures
• Volume: 360
• Article number: 122835
• Publication date: 2026-04-27
• Acceptance date: 2026-04-22
• DOI: 10.1016/j.engstruct.2026.122835
• EISSN: 1873-7323
• ISSN: 0141-0296
• Language: English
• Keywords: lightweight composite structures; nonlinear vibrations; dynamic modeling; solution methods; mechanical analysis
• Subtype: Review