Gravitation


Book Description

Covering all aspects of gravitation in a contemporary style, this advanced textbook is ideal for graduate students and researchers in all areas of theoretical physics. The 'Foundation' section develops the formalism in six chapters, and uses it in the next four chapters to discuss four key applications - spherical spacetimes, black holes, gravitational waves and cosmology. The six chapters in the 'Frontier' section describe cosmological perturbation theory, quantum fields in curved spacetime, and the Hamiltonian structure of general relativity, among several other advanced topics, some of which are covered in-depth for the first time in a textbook. The modular structure of the book allows different sections to be combined to suit a variety of courses. Over 200 exercises are included to test and develop the reader's understanding. There are also over 30 projects, which help readers make the transition from the book to their own original research.




Gauge/Gravity Duality


Book Description

The first textbook on this important topic, for graduate students and researchers in particle and condensed matter physics.




Physical Foundations of Cosmology


Book Description

Inflationary cosmology has been developed over the last twenty years to remedy serious shortcomings in the standard hot big bang model of the universe. This textbook, first published in 2005, explains the basis of modern cosmology and shows where the theoretical results come from. The book is divided into two parts; the first deals with the homogeneous and isotropic model of the Universe, the second part discusses how inhomogeneities can explain its structure. Established material such as the inflation and quantum cosmological perturbation are presented in great detail, however the reader is brought to the frontiers of current cosmological research by the discussion of more speculative ideas. An ideal textbook for both advanced students of physics and astrophysics, all of the necessary background material is included in every chapter and no prior knowledge of general relativity and quantum field theory is assumed.




Fundamentals of Gravity Exploration


Book Description

Providing information about the principles, understanding, and applicability of the gravity exploration method, this text is both a textbook and a reference for anyone engaged in geophysical exploration.




Concrete Gravity and Arch Dams on Rock Foundation


Book Description

This book, on the basis of a generalization and critical analysis of materials on constructed concrete dams, accumulated experience in their operation, and current trends, considers a set of problems associated with the design and construction of concrete dams. The modern principles of designing gravity and arch dams and the main provisions of the calculation justification of their reliability in comparison with US standards are outlined. Great attention has been paid to rolled concrete dams, taking into account their specific characteristics. Ways of increasing the efficiency of dams through the improvement of layout and structural solutions, calculation methods, and a more complete consideration of the features of natural conditions are considered. The book presents and analyzes the designs of erected concrete dams, which allows for a better understanding of the approaches and decision-making principles for designing dams, taking into account the specifics of natural, construction, and other conditions, and also analyzes a number of new solutions that reflect the various ways that engineering theory and practice has sought further improvement of concrete dams. This work will be useful to hydraulic engineers and professionals involved in the design, construction, and operation of concrete dams, as well as in settlement studies. The book will also be of interest to academics and can be used as a textbook by university students specializing in hydraulic engineering.




Beyond Spacetime


Book Description

A collection of essays discussing the philosophy and foundations of quantum gravity. Written by leading philosophers and physicists in the field, chapters cover the important conceptual questions in the search for a quantum theory of gravity, and the current state of understanding among philosophers and physicists.




Non-conventional Construction of Concrete Dams and Rock Foundations


Book Description

Dealing with dam types such as gravity, counterfort and arch, this guide examines construction techniques, their development over the years, and their merits and demerits. As well as providing citations of dams, patents and codes, the text presents comparative data on world dams, updated to 1991.







Earthquake Engineering for Concrete Dams


Book Description

A comprehensive guide to modern-day methods for earthquake engineering of concrete dams Earthquake analysis and design of concrete dams has progressed from static force methods based on seismic coefficients to modern procedures that are based on the dynamics of dam–water–foundation systems. Earthquake Engineering for Concrete Dams offers a comprehensive, integrated view of this progress over the last fifty years. The book offers an understanding of the limitations of the various methods of dynamic analysis used in practice and develops modern methods that overcome these limitations. This important book: Develops procedures for dynamic analysis of two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of concrete dams Identifies system parameters that influence their response Demonstrates the effects of dam–water–foundation interaction on earthquake response Identifies factors that must be included in earthquake analysis of concrete dams Examines design earthquakes as defined by various regulatory bodies and organizations Presents modern methods for establishing design spectra and selecting ground motions Illustrates application of dynamic analysis procedures to the design of new dams and safety evaluation of existing dams. Written for graduate students, researchers, and professional engineers, Earthquake Engineering for Concrete Dams offers a comprehensive view of the current procedures and methods for seismic analysis, design, and safety evaluation of concrete dams.




Insights and Innovations in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation


Book Description

Insights and Innovations in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation comprises 360 papers that were presented at the Sixth International Conference on Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation (SEMC 2016, Cape Town, South Africa, 5-7 September 2016). The papers reflect the broad scope of the SEMC conferences, and cover a wide range of engineering structures (buildings, bridges, towers, roofs, foundations, offshore structures, tunnels, dams, vessels, vehicles and machinery) and engineering materials (steel, aluminium, concrete, masonry, timber, glass, polymers, composites, laminates, smart materials). Some contributions present the latest insights and new understanding on (i) the mechanics of structures and systems (dynamics, vibration, seismic response, instability, buckling, soil-structure interaction), and (ii) the mechanics of materials and fluids (elasticity, plasticity, fluid-structure interaction, flow through porous media, biomechanics, fracture, fatigue, bond, creep, shrinkage). Other contributions report on (iii) recent advances in computational modelling and testing (numerical simulations, finite-element modeling, experimental testing), and (iv) developments and innovations in structural engineering (planning, analysis, design, construction, assembly, maintenance, repair and retrofitting of structures). Insights and Innovations in Structural Engineering, Mechanics and Computation is particularly of interest to civil, structural, mechanical, marine and aerospace engineers. Researchers, developers, practitioners and academics in these disciplines will find the content useful. Short versions of the papers, intended to be concise but self-contained summaries of the full papers, are collected in the book, while the full versions of the papers are on the accompanying CD.