Thin-walled structures are designed with sophisticated numerical analysis techniques and constructed using fabrication processes requiring highly skilled workmanship. However, during construction a number of factors may lead to the final structure varying from the original design. These anomalies may be associated with changes in the properties of the structure or deviations from the structure's design geometry.

Even small variations from the proposed design may produce significant changes in response; this book details the influence imperfections may have on the analysis and behavior of thin-walled structures.