Books in Civil and structural engineering

Analysis and Design of Plated Structures

1st Edition
February 14, 2007
N.E. Shanmugam + 1 more
English
eBook
9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 2 2 9 2

Plated structures are widely used in many engineering constructions ranging from aircraft to ships and from off-shore structures to bridges and buildings. Given their diverse use in severe dynamic loading environments, it is vital that their dynamic behaviour is analysed and understood. Analysis and design of plated structures Volume 2: Dynamics provides a concise review of the most recent research in the area and how it can be applied in the field.The book discusses the modelling of plates for effects such as transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia, assembly of plates in forming thin-walled members, and changing material properties in composite, laminated and functionally graded plates. Various recent techniques for linear and nonlinear vibration analysis are also presented and discussed. The book concludes with a hybrid strategy suitable for parameter identification of plated structures and hydroelastic analysis of floating plated structures.With its distinguished editors and team of international contributors, Analysis and design of plated structures Volume 2: Dynamics is an invaluable reference source for engineers, researchers and academics involved in the analysis and design of plated structures. It also provides a companion volume to Analysis and design of plated structures Volume 1: Stability.

Bus Transport

1st Edition
Volume 18
January 30, 2007
David A. Hensher
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 9 5 8 4

The bus is the most patronised of all land–based public passenger mode but is seen as a somewhat unglamorous means of supporting mobility and accessibility, in contrast to rail – heavy and light, yet offers so much to the travelling public as well as offering attractive sustainability opportunities. This book reflects the author’s perspective on issues of importance to the preservation and health of the bus sector. The twenty one chapters cover the themes of institutional reform, performance measurement and monitoring, service quality, costing and pricing of services including commercial and non-commercial contracts, travel choice and demand, integrated bus-based systems, and public transport policy, especially challenges in growing patronage.

Geosynthetics in Civil Engineering

1st Edition
December 22, 2006
R W Sarsby
English
eBook
9 7 8 1 8 4 5 6 9 2 4 9 0

Geosynthetics are man-made polymer-based materials which facilitate cost effective building, environmental, transportation and other construction projects. Given their versatility, geosynthetics are a vital material in all aspects of civil engineering.The first section of the book covers the fundamentals of geosynthetics. Chapters discuss the design and durability of geosynthetics together with their material properties and international standards governing their use. Building on these foundations, part two examines the various applications of geosynthetics in areas such as filters, separators, landfills, barriers and foundation materials. The book concludes by reviewing methods of quality assurance and the service life of geosynthetics.Writte... by an international team of contributors, Geosynthetics in civil engineering is an essential reference to all those involved in civil engineering.

Engineering Geology

2nd Edition
December 15, 2006
F G Bell
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 9 5 2 2

Every engineering structure, whether it's a building, bridge or road, is affected by the ground on which it is built. Geology is of fundamental importance when deciding on the location and design of all engineering works, and it is essential that engineers have a basic knowledge of the subject. Engineering Geology introduces the fundamentals of the discipline and ensures that engineers have a clear understanding of the processes at work, and how they will impact on what is to be built. Core areas such as stratigraphy, rock types, structures and geological processes are explained, and put in context. The basics of soil mechanics and the links between groundwater conditions and underlying geology are introduced. As well as the theoretical knowledge necessary, Professor Bell introduces the techniques that engineers will need to learn about and understand the geological conditions in which they intend to build. Site investigation techniques are detailed, and the risks and risk avoidance methods for dealing with different conditions are explained.

Toxic Legacy

1st Edition
November 20, 2006
Patrick Sullivan + 3 more
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 6 4 7 7

Any professional examination of existing or potential new toxins in a population must account for those already present from past problems and natural conditions.Toxic Legacy provides extensive information on the occurrence of chemical hazards and their potential dangers in combinations in the food, water and air in cities around the United States. The book illustrates consumer preferences for specific food and water products, as well as particular diets and discusses the toxicity and risks associated with our exposure to synthetic chemicals. The authors offer unique guidance to environmental engineers, scientists, process engineers, and planners and specify what steps can be taken to limit exposure to complex chemical mixtures.

Devolution, Port Governance and Port Performance

1st Edition
Volume 17
November 13, 2006
Mary R Brooks + 1 more
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 7 0 7 8

The relationship between ports and governments has changed profoundly over the past quarter of a century. Many governments have sought to extract themselves from the business of port operations and, in many cases, the provision of port services has devolved to local governments, communities or private management and administration. As such devolution implies a change in governance model, this trend raises questions about consequent performance. This issue examines the changed port management environment, focusing particularly on government policies such as devolution, regulatory reform and newly imposed governance models, all of which have exerted a significant influence over the nature of that changed environment. The issue is structured so as to first explore the devolution and port reform approaches for 14 countries or regions, before examining how ports are governed and what the choice of governance might mean for their performance. Part I introduces the issue, and provides a framework for defining the basic concepts involved in devolution; it paints a picture of the current port environment, its likely future evolution and the expected impact this will have on the functioning of ports. Part II examines the port industry in 14 countries or administrations, and presents the thinking behind any devolution programs that have been implemented. Part III focuses on port governance and devolution generally, and examines governance from both strategic management and economics perspectives, including topics such as governance models, supranational governance and stakeholder conflict. Part IV examines the measurement of port performance and closes by providing conclusions and a future research agenda. This issue will be of interest to port managers, government officials and academics alike.

Topics on System Analysis and Integrated Water Resources Management

1st Edition
October 19, 2006
Andrea Castelletti + 1 more
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 6 0 2 6

The Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) paradigm has been worldwide recognized as the only feasible way currently available to ensure a sustainable perspective in planning and managing water resource systems. It is the inspiring principle of the Water Framework Directive, adopted by the European Union in 2000, as well as the main reference for all the water related activity of UNESCO in the third world countries. However, very often, real world attempts of implementing IWRM fail for the lack of a systematic approach and the inadequacy of tools and techniques adopted to address the intrinsically complex nature of water systems. This book explores recent and important contributions of System Analysis and Control Theory to the technical application of such paradigm and to the improvement of its theoretical basis. Its prior aim is to demonstrate how the modelling and computational difficulties posed by this paradigm might be significantly reduced by strengthening the efficiency of the solution techniques, instead of weakening the integration requirements. The first introductory chapter provides the reader with a logical map of the book, by formalizing the IWRM paradigm in a nine-step decisional procedure and by identifying the points where the contribution of System Analysis and Control Theory is more useful. The book is then organized in three sections whose chapters analyze some theoretical and mathematical aspects of these contributions or presents design applications. The outstanding research issues on the border between System Analysis and IWRM is depicted in the last chapter, where a pull of scientists and experts, coordinated by Prof. Tony Jakeman describe the foreseeable scenario. The book is based on the most outstanding contributions to the IFAC workshop on Modelling and Control for Participatory Planning and Managing Water Systems held in Venice, September 28- October 1, 2004. That workshop has been conceived and organized with the explicit purpose of producing this book: the maximum length of the papers was unusually long (of the size of a book chapter) and only five long oral presentations were planned each day, thus allowing for a very useful and constructive discussion.

Industrial Waste Treatment

1st Edition
October 13, 2006
Nelson Leonard Nemerow
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 7 1 0 8 2

Taking the reader through the history of industrial waste treatment and directing them toward a new path of best practice, Industrial Waste Treatment illustrates how current treatment techniques are affected by regulatory and economic constraints, scientific knowledge and tolerances. This book provides the reader with the basis for a more effective method of waste treatment which is sustainable and supportive of industrial improvements. Overall, it provides valuable information for planners, industrial, civil and environmental engineers and government officials for a better understanding of current practices and regulatory history and how these factors relate to the ability to complete environmental solutions to industrial waste problems.

Mechatronics for Safety, Security and Dependability in a New Era

1st Edition
September 7, 2006
Eiji Arai + 1 more
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 6 2 4 8

Mechatronics for Safety, Security and Dependability in a New Era contains selected leading papers from the International Conference on Machine Automation 2004, the work of researchers from USA, Japan, China and Europe. The topics covered include: manufacturing systems such as CAD/CAM, machining and, human factors in manufacturing; robotics in relation to sensors and actuators, new control technology and, measuring and monitoring; the application of new technologies in connection with wireless communication, human behavior analysis and welfare. Mechatronics has been rapidly developing as an important area that affects all areas of society from industrial robots, automobiles, electrical appliances, computers and consumer goods etc. It also plays a role in safety recovery, such as for rescue tasks after disasters, destruction of hazardous and abandoned weapons and the restoration of polluted environments. The increasing need for safe, secure and dependable technology means that the advancement of mechatronics plays an essential role in the development of products and systems. This book provides an insight into developments in essential new methodologies and tools to design and to build machines to achieve this.

Tunnelling in Weak Rocks

1st Edition
Volume 5
June 26, 2006
Bhawani Singh + 1 more
English
eBook
9 7 8 0 0 8 0 4 6 1 6 3 2

Vast knowledge has been developed in the area of tunnelling in weak rocks over the years, and this book bridges an important gap by bringing all the information together for the benefit of the tunnelling Industry. In particular, tunnelling in poor conditions is a huge challenge for engineers and designers, and this book tackles all typical problems headon. Topics covered include classification approach, design approaches for site-specific grounds, a new invention on shielded tunnel boring machine, case histories, tunnel mechanics, risk engineering and management culture.

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