The Geotechnics of Real Materials: The &egr;g&egr;k Method


Book Description

This book provides a simple new approach to the problems of pressure and deformation associated with real materials. It introduces parameters used to provide original solutions to a wide range of problems. These include: pressure on silo walls and retaining walls (flexible and rigid), trench sheeting, shafts, pipes and tunnels; and settlements of foundations, roads, and embankments. The parameters are readily measured in standard triaxial apparatus, and are combined to provide a stress-strain-time relationship for the soil for specific drainage and boundary conditions.The first part of the book introduces topics relevant to the second part, i.e. standard geotechnical properties, soil testing, stress problems, earth pressure, flow in permeable media, and classical models such as elasticity and plasticity. In the second part, the parameters are defined and details given on their application to specified boundary conditions, with corrections for variations of stress, dimensions and loading rates. Examples and case histories demonstrate the versatility and validity of the method.No prior knowledge of geotechnics is assumed. The book will be suitable for students at any level in geotechnics and engineering geology. The emphasis on measured instead of idealised behaviour will appeal to practising engineers who will find in this book simple solutions to some of the most intractable problems in geotechnics.




Advanced Structural Ceramics


Book Description

This book covers the area of advanced ceramic composites broadly, providing important introductory chapters to fundamentals, processing, and applications of advanced ceramic composites. Within each section, specific topics covered highlight the state of the art research within one of the above sections. The organization of the book is designed to provide easy understanding by students as well as professionals interested in advanced ceramic composites. The various sections discuss fundamentals of nature and characteristics of ceramics, processing of ceramics, processing and properties of toughened ceramics, high temperature ceramics, nanoceramics and nanoceramic composites, and bioceramics and biocomposites.




Optimality Conditions in Convex Optimization


Book Description

Optimality Conditions in Convex Optimization explores an important and central issue in the field of convex optimization: optimality conditions. It brings together the most important and recent results in this area that have been scattered in the literature—notably in the area of convex analysis—essential in developing many of the important results in this book, and not usually found in conventional texts. Unlike other books on convex optimization, which usually discuss algorithms along with some basic theory, the sole focus of this book is on fundamental and advanced convex optimization theory. Although many results presented in the book can also be proved in infinite dimensions, the authors focus on finite dimensions to allow for much deeper results and a better understanding of the structures involved in a convex optimization problem. They address semi-infinite optimization problems; approximate solution concepts of convex optimization problems; and some classes of non-convex problems which can be studied using the tools of convex analysis. They include examples wherever needed, provide details of major results, and discuss proofs of the main results.




Psychological Model of Illness


Book Description

It is important to address various psychological factors associated with chronic illness. Chronic illness requires proper health management because it cannot be cured fully but can be managed by both patients and medical professionals. The bio-medical perspective emphasizes the cure of illness based on objective clinical tests and ignores the importance of the patient’s own psychological perspective regarding illness. Psychological Model of Illness highlights the role of psychological factors in adaptation to chronic illness such as, myocardial infarction (heart attack). Psychological Model of Illness attempts to understand the illness behavior of myocardial infarction patients. It provides an empirical investigation of illness cognition, personality, coping and health related effects on quality of life. The findings reported in this book are empirically confirmed and also make sense intuitively and experimentally. Psychological Model of Illness provides a good blend of both quantitative and qualitative methods. The qualitative analysis indicates a number of ways in which the investigation of illness cognition, coping and health related quality of life might be viewed in a cultural context.




Multi-objective Evolutionary Optimisation for Product Design and Manufacturing


Book Description

With the increasing complexity and dynamism in today’s product design and manufacturing, more optimal, robust and practical approaches and systems are needed to support product design and manufacturing activities. Multi-objective Evolutionary Optimisation for Product Design and Manufacturing presents a focused collection of quality chapters on state-of-the-art research efforts in multi-objective evolutionary optimisation, as well as their practical applications to integrated product design and manufacturing. Multi-objective Evolutionary Optimisation for Product Design and Manufacturing consists of two major sections. The first presents a broad-based review of the key areas of research in multi-objective evolutionary optimisation. The second gives in-depth treatments of selected methodologies and systems in intelligent design and integrated manufacturing. Recent developments and innovations in multi-objective evolutionary optimisation make Multi-objective Evolutionary Optimisation for Product Design and Manufacturing a useful text for a broad readership, from academic researchers to practicing engineers.




Introduction to Integral Calculus


Book Description

An accessible introduction to the fundamentals of calculus needed to solve current problems in engineering and the physical sciences I ntegration is an important function of calculus, and Introduction to Integral Calculus combines fundamental concepts with scientific problems to develop intuition and skills for solving mathematical problems related to engineering and the physical sciences. The authors provide a solid introduction to integral calculus and feature applications of integration, solutions of differential equations, and evaluation methods. With logical organization coupled with clear, simple explanations, the authors reinforce new concepts to progressively build skills and knowledge, and numerous real-world examples as well as intriguing applications help readers to better understand the connections between the theory of calculus and practical problem solving. The first six chapters address the prerequisites needed to understand the principles of integral calculus and explore such topics as anti-derivatives, methods of converting integrals into standard form, and the concept of area. Next, the authors review numerous methods and applications of integral calculus, including: Mastering and applying the first and second fundamental theorems of calculus to compute definite integrals Defining the natural logarithmic function using calculus Evaluating definite integrals Calculating plane areas bounded by curves Applying basic concepts of differential equations to solve ordinary differential equations With this book as their guide, readers quickly learn to solve a broad range of current problems throughout the physical sciences and engineering that can only be solved with calculus. Examples throughout provide practical guidance, and practice problems and exercises allow for further development and fine-tuning of various calculus skills. Introduction to Integral Calculus is an excellent book for upper-undergraduate calculus courses and is also an ideal reference for students and professionals who would like to gain a further understanding of the use of calculus to solve problems in a simplified manner.




Tribology of Ceramics and Composites


Book Description

This book helps students and practicing scientists alike understand that a comprehensive knowledge about the friction and wear properties of advanced materials is essential to further design and development of new materials. With important introductory chapters on the fundamentals, processing, and applications of tribology, the book then examines in detail the nature and properties of materials, the friction and wear of structural ceramics, bioceramics, biocomposites, and nanoceramics, as well as lightweight composites and the friction and wear of ceramics in a cryogenic environment.







Automatic Control of Atmospheric and Space Flight Vehicles


Book Description

Automatic Control of Atmospheric and Space Flight Vehicles is perhaps the first book on the market to present a unified and straightforward study of the design and analysis of automatic control systems for both atmospheric and space flight vehicles. Covering basic control theory and design concepts, it is meant as a textbook for senior undergraduate and graduate students in modern courses on flight control systems. In addition to the basics of flight control, this book covers a number of upper-level topics and will therefore be of interest not only to advanced students, but also to researchers and practitioners in aeronautical engineering, applied mathematics, and systems/control theory.




Gas Turbine Propulsion


Book Description