This issue of Structures and Buildings offers five papers on advanced numerical analyses and theoretical studies of different types of structures, from the simulation of anchor-jointed precast structural walls to modelling of light timber-framed walls, to evaluation of strain-hardening cementitious composites (SHCCs) for the seismic strengthening of reinforcedconcrete (RC) columns, investigation of fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) RC slabs, and finally, the development of a new shear strength model for RC exterior joints. These studies demonstrate that currently available commercial finite-element packages are capable of solving a wide range of engineering problems providing that appropriate material parameters and modelling techniques are applied.The first paper by El Semelawy et al. (2017) presents a numerical simulation of an anchor-jointed precast structural wall system by using LS-DYNA. In this system, precast walls are joined together by using threaded steel anchor bolts. Owing to the local nonlinear effects of the connections, accurate prediction of the lateral response of the proposed system and the failure mode of the anchor bolts is a difficult task. In this study, a three-dimensional, non-linear finite-element model is formulated to simulate the lateral behaviour of the proposed system. The effects of concrete breakout, rupture of the steel anchors, dowel action, shear friction, anchor pre-tensioning and gravity load on the lateral load response have been fully taken into consideration. The numerical results demonstrate that the developed model can capture the complex internal load transfer mechanisms and failure modes as well as predict the failure loads of the system. Gravity loads are found to greatly enhance the lateral capacity of the system. In the second paper by Togay et al. (2017), a static finiteelement analysis of light timber-framed walls with oriented strand board (OSB) panels was conducted by using Ansys. This paper gives new insight into the accurate prediction of the load-deformation responses of timber-framed panels. In this study, stress-strain relationships between timber and OSB materials are obtained from tensile and compression tests. The behaviour of the nails was simulated as a nonlinear spring element with spring/dashpot properties. The timber frames were modelled as Timoshenko beams. The plastic behaviour of the timber and OSB panels was modelled by using a multi-linear kinematic hardening model. It was found that the numerical results are in good agreement with the test results. The study further demonstrated that the presence of wall openings can significantly affect the lateral strength of timber-frame panels. A relationship between the opening area ratio and load-carrying capacity was determined, which is helpful for designing timber-framed walls with openings.SHCCs are an extremely tough construction material that exhibit multiple fine cracks and pseudo strain-hardening characteristics under tension. They have been applied to repair seismically damaged RC columns. The thir...