Mechanics of Materials

VS has contributed to various areas of Mechanics of Materials, especially on the effect of stochastic microstructure of materials on their properties and performance, including main deformation, damage and fracture mechanism. VS contributed considerably to the development of foundations of mechanics of fibrous networks (such as nonwovens and hydrogels), composites and nanocomposites, cortical and trabecular bone, pure collagen, combining mechanical testing, microstructural characterisation and advanced numerical simulations. Additionally, VS developed approaches dealing with the effect of advanced manufacturing technologies as well as harsh environmental and loading conditions on mechanical properties and performance of various materials – from engineering to biological. VS also contributed to development of foundations of dynamic deformation, damage and fracture of composite materials. These activities resulted in development of multiple novel approaches and tools, including, e.g., world-first numerical models of hybrid machining technologies.

During his career VS has (co-)supervised some 90 Doctoral Researchers with some 80 already graduated. Among them are several full professors, working in different counties, and one Vice-Chancellor. VS has been involved in multiple multi-institutional and international projects, leading some of them. As a result, VS has a broad network of international collaboration, with members of which VS continues maintaining close contacts.

VS founded and have been Head of Mechanics of Advanced Materials Research Group with some 30-40 members for more than 15 years. In 2011-2014 VS was Associated Dean (Research) of a School with more than 60 faculty and 200 Doctoral Researchers, supporting their development. VS also has been acting as formal and informal mentor to many early career researchers and academics, with whom VS continues close contacts even after their promotion or moves to other organisations.

VS co-authored six research monographs (one – in its second edition), more than 70 book chapters and more than 770 peer-reviewed scientific papers (including more than 460 journal papers). In 2024, Elsevier published four-volume major reference work “Comprehensive Mechanics of Materials” with VS as its Editor-in-Chief.

VS chairs Technical Committee 14 “Integrity of Biomedical and Biological Materials” of the European Structural Integrity Society and is Editor-in-Chief of Elsevier Series in Mechanics of Advanced Materials, Associate Editor of “Shock and Vibration” (Wiley) and "Journal of Vibration and Control" (SAGE Publications) and a member of Editorial Boards of international journals “Materials Science and Engineering A: Structural Materials: Properties, Microstructure and Processing” (Elsevier); “Computers, Materials & Continua” (Tech Science Press); “International Journal of Automotive Composites” (Inderscience), “Reviews on Advanced Materials Science” (De Gruyter), “Defence Technology” (Elsevier), “Discover Mechanical Engineering” (Springer) and “Science and Engineering of Composite Materials” (De Gruyter).

VS is actively involved in organisation of various international scientific events, including organisation of two series of conferences and long-standing series of symposia in main international congresses and conferences in his areas of research.

VS is an Honorary and Visiting Professor at several universities in different countries.

VS also serve as a reviewer and chair or member of panels for multiple national and international finding bodies, including EPSRC, EU, European Research Council, and various bodies in more than 20 countries.