The connection between the sleep environment and quality of sleep is closely related. To get a good night's rest, a person needs to be in an environment conducive to sleep, which means having or creating the right conditions for it. Thermal Sleeping Environments: Control and Optimization provides a comprehensive coverage on cutting-edge heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) equipment; novel bed-based task/ambient conditioning (TAC) systems; and advanced materials for building envelopes, bedroom furniture, and textiles for beddings. The performance of the technologies presented is analyzed through thermal comfort charts and modeling endeavors, which are in turn validated by the notions of human physiological responses during sleep. The foundational principles of fluid mechanics alongside sustainably built environment and energy efficiency considerations also complement this discussion.Written by academic experts who aim to compile a unique reference resource to foster further subject matter research, this book should appeal to a broad range of readers whose work or study interests focuses on sustainable buildings and the wellbeing of their occupants.
Stability of Discrete Non-conservative Systems first exposes the general concepts and results concerning stability issues. It then presents an approach of stability that is different from Lyapunov which leads to the second order work criterion. Thanks to the new concept of Kinematic Structural Stability, a complete equivalence between two approaches of stability is obtained for a divergent type of stability. Extensions to flutter instability, to continuous systems, and to the dual questions concerning the measure of non-conservativeness provides a full, fresh look at these fundamental questions. A special chapter is devoted to applications for granular systems.
Handbook of Energy Efficiency in Buildings: A Life Cycle Approach offers a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the subject with a further focus on the Life Cycle. The editors, renowned academics, invited a diverse group of researchers to develop original chapters for the book and managed to well integrate all contributions in a consistent volume. Sections cover the role of the building sector on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, international technical standards, laws and regulations, building energy efficiency and zero energy consumption buildings, the life cycle assessment of buildings, from construction to decommissioning, and other timely topics. The multidisciplinary approach to the subject makes it valuable for researchers and industry based Civil, Construction, and Architectural Engineers. Researchers in related fields as built environment, energy and sustainability at an urban scale will also benefit from the books integrated perspective.
Sensors are used for civil infrastructure performance assessment and health monitoring, and have evolved significantly through developments in materials and methodologies. Sensor Technologies for Civil Infrastructure Volume II provides an overview of sensor data analysis and case studies in assessing and monitoring civil infrastructures. Part one focuses on sensor data interrogation and decision making, with chapters on data management technologies, data analysis, techniques for damage detection and structural damage detection. Part two is made up of case studies in assessing and monitoring specific structures such as bridges, towers, buildings, dams, tunnels, pipelines, and roads. Sensor Technologies for Civil Infrastructure provides a standard reference for structural and civil engineers, electronics engineers, and academics with an interest in the field.