Abstract :
The paper attempts a broad overview of the vast ®eld of stability of structures, including elastic and anelastic
structures, static and dynamic response, linear and non-linear behavior, energy approach, thermodynamic aspects,
creep stability and fracture or damage-induced instability. The importance of stability theory to various ®elds of
engineering and applied science is pointed out and the history of the discipline is brie¯y sketched. The principal
accomplishments are succinctly reviewed, and fruitful recent trends, particularly the stability analysis of damage
localization and fracture, are emphasized. Only selected references are given
