Dynamical Integrity: A Novel Paradigm for Evaluating Load Carrying Capacity

The chapter offers an overview of the effects of the research advancements in nonlinear dynamics on the evaluation of system safety. The achievements developed over the last 30 years entailed a substantial change of perspective. After recalling the outstanding contributions due to Euler and Koiter, we focus on Thompson's intuition of global safety. This concept represents a paramount enhancement, full of theoretical and practical implications. Its relevance as a novel paradigm for evaluating the load carrying capacity of a system is highlighted. Making reference to a variety of different case studies, we emphasize that global safety has induced a deep development in the analysis, control, and design of mechanical and structural systems. Recent results are presented, and the possibility to implement effective dedicated control procedures based on global safety concepts is explored. We stress the importance of global safety for valorizing all the potential of the system and guaranteeing superior targets. The very general character of the dynamical integrity approach to design is highlighted.