The built environment has been digitizing rapidly and is now transforming into a physical world that is at all times supplemented by a fully web-supported and interconnected digital version, often referred to as Digital Twin. This book shows how diverse data models and web technologies can be created and used for the built environment. Key features of this book are its technical nature and technical detail. The first part of the book highlights a large diversity of IT techniques and their use in the AEC domain, from JSON to XML to EXPRESS to RDF/OWL, for modelling geometry, products, properties, sensor and energy data. The second part of the book focuses on diverse software solutions and approaches, including digital twins, federated data storage on the web, IoT, cloud computing, and smart cities. Key research and strategic development opportunities are comprehensively discussed for distributed web-based building data management, IoT integration and cloud computing. This book aims to serve as a guide and reference for experts and professionals in AEC computing and digital construction including Master's students, PhD researchers, and junior to senior IT-oriented AEC professionals.

This book contains 38 papers presented at the seventh Working Conference on 'Reliability and Optimization of Structural Systems' held at Boulder, Colorado, USA, on April 2-4, 1996. The Working Conference was organized by the IFIP (International Federation for Information Processing) Working Group 7.5 of Technical Committee 7 and was the seventh in a series of similar conferences. The objectives of the Working Group and hence this publication are:

- to promote modern structural systems optimization and reliability theory,
- to advance international co-operation in the field of structural system optimization and reliability theory,
- to stimulate research, development and application of structural system optimization and reliability theory,
- to further dissemination and exchange of information on reliability and optimization of structural systems, and
- to encourage education in structural system organization and reliability theory.

This volume comprises a collection of four special lectures, six general reports and 112 papers presented at the Sixth International Symposium of Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground (IS-Shanghai) held between 10 and 12 April 2008 in Shanghai, China. The Symposium was organised by Tongji University and the following themes were covered: 1. Analysis and numerical modelling of deep excavations 2. Construction method, ground treatment, and conditioning for tunnelling 3. Case histories 4. Safety issues, risk analysis, hazard management and control 5. Physical and numerical modelling 6. Calculation, design methods, and predictive tools This volume provides a valuable source of information on the the state-of-the-art in geotechnical engineering associated with the design, construction and monitoring of tunnels and excavations in soft ground, and will be of interest to academics and professionals involved in these areas.

Book authors come from both academia and industry It places a special focus on linking the gap between the theory and engineering practice. Covers a wide range of topics directly guiding structural engineering calculations

'This book bridges disciplines, previously confined to specialist journal publications, by providing a comprehensive overview of the systems analysis application to water resources. It is ideal for Masters-level courses in Water Resources Engineering where modern management techniques of optimization and modelling are highly important in the strategic management of a vital resource.' - Derek Clarke, University of Southampton, UK 'The great novelty of this book is that it presents in detail how fuzzy-set theory can be used in water resource system management. The author was one of the pioneers who opened up this new field and is considered to be one of the greatest experts in it.' - Rodolfo Soncini Sessa, Politecnico di Milano, Italy Water resources management is increasingly interdisciplinary and must take into account complex socioeconomic factors and environmental variables. This book describes the 'systems approach' and its application to contemporary water resources management, focusing on three main sets of tools: simulation, optimization and multi-objective analysis. This approach is presented within the context of sustainable planning and development under conditions of uncertainty. Managing Water Resources: Methods and Tools for a Systems Approach introduces system dynamic simulation as a tool for integrated modelling and contains coverage of the use of fuzzy sets for incorporating objective and subjective uncertainties. The book combines theory with many practical examples, as well as including programs and exercises on downloadable resources. It comprises both an advanced text for students of water resources and civil or environmental engineering and a practical guide for professionals. Published jointly with UNESCO and International Hydrological Programme

A quarter of the century has elapsed since I gave my first course in structural reliability to graduate students at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Since that time on I have given many courses and seminars to students, researchers, designers, and site engineers interested in reliability. I also participated in and was responsible for numerous projects where reliability solutions were required. During that period, the scope of structural reliability gradually enlarged to become a substantial part of the general reliability theory. First, it is apparent that bearing structures should not be isolated objectives of interest, and, consequently, that constntCted facilities should be studied. Second, a new engineering branch has emerged -reliability engineering. These two facts have highlighted new aspects and asked for new approaches to the theory and applications. I always state in my lectures that the reliability theory is nothing more than mathematized engineering judgment. In fact, thanks mainly to probability and statistics, and also to computers, the empirical knowledge gained by Humankind's construction experience could have been transposed into a pattern of logic thinking, able to produce conclusions and to forecast the behavior of engineering entities. This manner of thinking has developed into an intricate network linked by certain rules, which, in a way, can be considered a type of reliability grammar. We can discern many grammatical concepts in the general structure of the reliability theory.

Large-scale video networks are of increasing importance in a wide range of applications. However, the development of automated techniques for aggregating and interpreting information from multiple video streams in real-life scenarios is a challenging area of research.

Collecting the work of leading researchers from a broad range of disciplines, this timely text/reference offers an in-depth survey of the state of the art in distributed camera networks. The book addresses a broad spectrum of critical issues in this highly interdisciplinary field: current challenges and future directions; video processing and video understanding; simulation, graphics, cognition and video networks; wireless video sensor networks, communications and control; embedded cameras and real-time video analysis; applications of distributed video networks; and educational opportunities and curriculum-development.

Topics and features: Presents an overview of research in areas of motion analysis, invariants, multiple cameras for detection, object tracking and recognition, and activities in video networks Provides real-world applications of distributed video networks, including force protection, wide area activities, port security, and recognition in night-time environments Describes the challenges in graphics and simulation, covering virtual vision, network security, human activities, cognitive architecture, and displays Examines issues of multimedia networks, registration, control of cameras (in simulations and real networks), localization and bounds on tracking Discusses system aspects of video networks, with chapters on providing testbed environments, data collection on activities, new integrated sensors for airborne sensors, face recognition, and building sentient spaces Investigates educational opportunities and curriculum development from the perspective of computer science and electrical engineering

This unique text will be of great interest to researchers and graduate students of computer vision and pattern recognition, computer graphics and simulation, image processing and embedded systems, and communications, networks and controls. The large number of example applications will also appeal to application engineers.

Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials is a collection of peer-reviewed papers presented at the 20th Australasian Conference on the Mechanics of Structures and Materials (ACMSM20, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, 2 ? 5 December 2008) by academics, researchers and practicing engineers mainly from Australasia and the Asia-Pacific region. The topics under discussion include:

- Composite structures and materials

- Computational mechanics

- Earthquake and wind engineering

- Fire engineering

- Geomechanics and foundation engineering

- Mechanics of materials

- Rehabilitation of structures

- Reinforced and prestressed concrete structures

- Reliability and sustainability of structures

- Shock and impact loading

- Steel structures

- Structural dynamics

- Structural health monitoring

- Structural mechanics

- Timber engineering

Futures in Mechanics of Structures and Materials will be a valuable reference for academics, researchers and practicing engineers working in structural and material engineering and mechanics.

This special volume contains papers that are partly based on contributions to the symposium "Minesite Recultivation" wh ich was held at the Brandenburg Technical University in Cottbus, FRG in lune 1994. Ouring this symposium, various aspects of research into the recultivation of open-cast minesites were discussed. As a prime example, the symposium focussed on the recultivation (reclamation) of post-mining landscapes in the Lusatian lignite mining district of the former German 2 Oemocratic Republic (GOR). In this area, about 700 km have been devastated by open- cast mining during the last 70 years. Therefore, the research into recultivation has a long tradition in Lusatia, going back to the 1930's. Oue [0 the scientific isolation of the former GOR, most of the research results were not available to an international audience until now. This situation holds also true for other eastern countries. Hence, this special volume is a first step to fill this gap. The papers by Pietsch, Heinsdorf, and Katzur and Haubold-Rosar detail the Lusatian lignite mining district presenting an overview of recultivation research results and practical experiences related to the establishment of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems in this region after mining. In particular, the amelioration and reforestation of extremely acid, sulfurous mine soils, the fertilization of forest stands under different mine site conditions and the site-specific recolonization and re vegetation strategies are described.

* Hugely topical book, considering terrorist attacks on structures and infrastructures. * Brings novel ideas to researchers and engineers in dynamic analysis of structures under combined actions of impact and blast loads. * Presents practical discussions in finite element modeling and numerical analysis of different structures under extreme loads using high-fidelity software which can be very useful for students. * Contains comprehensive state-of-the-art reviews on the performance of structures under extreme loads which can be very helpful for junior researchers who are beginners in impact and blast engineering. * Presents novel damage indices for different structural members under extreme loads that can be promoted to practical instructions to be experimentally conducted in structural engineering laboratories and academic environments.

A Cost Based Approach to Project Management: Planning and Controlling Construction Project Costs introduces early-career architects, construction managers, civil engineers, and facility managers to the essentials of delivering projects on-time and at cost. Drawing on the author's decades of experience managing marquee building and infrastructure projects around the world, this primer offers busy professionals a crash course in budgeting, cost estimating, scheduling, and cost control. Chapters break down the details of cost elements, structuring project costs, and integrating budget with schedule, providing novice project managers with the key skills to plan and execute construction projects with confidence and precision. Features: Illustrates the principles of project management and the essentials of cost planning and control with easy-to-understand examples from the construction industry Includes step-by-step details of project planning, cost estimating, and management processes Offers clear, cost-based methods for defining scope, preparing bids, and planning for contingencies, as well as monitoring progress and determining when to take remedial action Contains a user-friendly guide to project management acronyms and terminology Provides sample construction schedules, budgets, and progress report forms An ideal resource for self-study, on-the-job training, or courses in construction, architecture, or civil engineering project management, A Cost Based Approach to Project Management makes a worthy addition to the aspiring project manager's reference shelf.

Underground infrastructure (traffic and railway tunnels, water and sewage ducts, garages, and subways) is essential for urbanized areas, as they fulfill an important role in the transportation of people, energy, communication and water. Underground Infrastructure of Urban Areas is a collection of papers on the design, application, and maintenance of underground and subterranean systems, with a focus on geotechnical aspects and town planning issues. The topics covered include: - Gas and potable water pipes; - Underground storage reservoirs; - Urban technical infrastructure and city management; - Drainage system infrastructures; - Micro tunnelling pipelines; - Underground garages; - Material structures; - Road tunnels. Underground Infrastructure of Urban Areas is of interest to academics, designers and builders of underground structures, manufacturers and suppliers of building materials and equipment, and to policy makers involved in managing and maintaining these structures.

Internationally, significant attention is given to transport sustainability including planning, design, construction, evaluation, safety and durability of the road system. The 4th International Gulf Conference on Roads: Efficient Transportation and Pavement Systems - Characterization, Mechanisms, Simulation, and Modeling, hosted by the University of Qatar, November 2008, provided a forum for discussions of recent developments and research results and needs on transportation network optimization, traffic management, transportation safety, and pavement design, analysis, material characterization, modeling, and rehabilitation techniques. This book is a collection of 79 fully refereed papers and six keynote lectures from the conference, and includes contributions on a variety of topics:

• Highway Design and Transportation Planning
• Transportation Network and Management System
• Traffic Characteristics and Analysis
• Traffic and Transit Signal Control
• Traffic Simulation, Safety, and Management
• Advances in Road Safety Engineering
• Road Accident Analysis and Prediction
• Work Zone Lane Closures and Dynamic Merging
• Flexible Pavement Design, Analysis, and Evaluation
• Pavement Maintenance and Management
• Binder and Emulsion Characterization - Effect of Binder, Modified Binder, and Fillers on HMA
• HMA Testing and Properties
• Foamed and HMA Recycling
• Impact of Geogrids on Pavement Performance
• Research, Development, and Standardizations
• Case Studies

The concrete industry has embraced innovation and ensured high levels of long-term performance and sustainability through creative applications in design and construction. As a construction material, the versatility of concrete and its intrinsic benefits mean it is still well placed to meet challenges of the construction industry. Indeed, concrete has kept evolving to satisfy ever more stringent, as well as demanding design requirements and calls to improve the performance. This has been achieved through the introduction of new constituent materials, technologies and construction methods.

The current challenges faced by concrete construction may not necessarily be the same as those in the future. However, an ongoing programme of innovation and product development means that concrete should continue to provide cost effective sustainable solutions that are able to turn a challenge into an opportunity.

This book is a collection of papers presented at the International Conference on Excellence in Concrete Construction through Innovation (Kingston-upon-Thames, UK, 9 10 September 2008). Excellence in Concrete Construction through Innovation deals with recent innovation in concrete science, technology and practice, and discusses challenges from new materials, technologies,
environmental concerns and economic factors in maintaining concrete construction excellence. The book will be of interest to engineers, designers, researchers and scientists.

Bamboo materials are well available in the world. Bamboo has much shorter maturity than trees, thus can be harvested with shorter cycles of plantation. Despite the fact that human society has a long history of using bamboo, there is still a lack of modern and industrialized application of bamboo materials in construction. Promoting the application of bamboo in construction could provide a potential solution to the sustainable, green and environment-friendly development of construction industry.

Modern Bamboo Structures is the first of its kind covering the applications of bamboo materials in modern structures. These proceedings of the First International Conference on Modern Bamboo Structures (ICBS-2007, Changsha, China, 28-30 October 2007) include the state-of-the-art on materials, design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, construction of modern bamboo structures. Modern Bamboo Structures will be essential for researchers, engineers and administrators involved in structural engineering, civil engineering, agriculture engineering, forestry, environmental engineering and urban development.

Piling is a fast moving field and recent years have seen major advances in theory, methods, testing procedures and equipment. Some of these changes have been driven by the need for economies and efficiency, reduced spoil production and new methods of pile bore support. Advances in theoretical analyses allow pile design to be refined so that piles and pile groups perform to better advantage.

This third edition of the well established book has been comprehensively updated. It provides an accessible and well-illustrated account of design techniques, methods of testing and analysis of piles, with a marked emphasis on practice but with design methods that incorporate the most recent advances in piling theory.

Piling Engineering is written for geotechnical engineers, consultants and foundation contractors. It is also a useful reference for academics and advanced students on courses in piling, practical site investigation and foundation design and construction.

Internationally, much attention is given to causes, prevention, and rehabilitation of cracking in concrete, flexible, and composite pavements. The Sixth RILEM
International Conference on Cracking in Pavements (Chicago, June 16-18, 2008) provided a forum for discussion of recent developments and research results.
This book is a collection of papers from the Conference, and includes contributions on a variety of topics:
- Modeling of the initiation and propagation of pavement cracking
- Top-down and bottom-up fatigue cracking mechanisms
- Laboratory testing techniques and evaluation effectiveness
- Construction approaches and their relation to crack development
- Crack surveys and nondestructive evaluation
- In-situ experimental studies: field construction and rehabilitation techniques to inhibit pavement cracking
- Performance of crack preventative techniques and pavement service life prediction
- Interlay system effectiveness
- Pavement cracking evaluation using accelerated pavement testing
- Hot-mix asphalt overlay characterization
- Pavement interface modeling and testing
- Laboratory and field model validation
- Low-temperature cracking mechanisms and field studies
- Cracking in semi-rigid and stabilized pavement layers
- Analytical and experimental investigations of concrete joints
- White topping performance
Pavement Cracking: Mechanisms, Modeling, Detection, Testing, and Case Histories is particularly of interest to academics, researchers, and
practitioners involved in pavement mechanics and performance.

Natural soft soils are very complex materials. As construction activities increasingly take place in poor ground conditions, ground improvement is often required. However, design practices for ground improvement were for long at best crude and conservative, and at worst unsafe. Although new construction and field observation techniques have been developed to ensure that geotechnical structures such as embankments, tunnels and deep excavations can be built safely under these difficult conditions, design is still predominantly based on empirical rules and simplifying assumptions.

Since 2000 increased computer power has made systematic numerical studies utilising the 3D finite element method more and more possible. This enabled the investigation of complex soil-structure interaction mechanisms associated with ground improvement problems. The EC-funded Research Training Network Soft Clay Modelling for Engineering Practice (SCMEP), was set up to develop improved constitutive and numerical models to assist in geotechnical design on soft clays, and made significant advances in theory backed up with substantial experimental programmes (2000-2004). The EC-funded Marie Curie Research Training Network AMGISS (Advanced Modelling of Ground Improvement on Soft Soils) continued the research by the SCMEP network, focussing on modelling ground improvement systems. The aim of the AMGISS network is to develop advanced numerical modelling techniques for analysing the coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour of ground improvement systems on soft soils utilising advanced constitutive modelling, physical modelling and 2D, enhanced 2D and 3D numerical modelling techniques.

The motivation of the 2nd International Workshop on Geotechnics of Soft Soils, organised by the AMGISS network (3-5 September 2008, Glasgow, Scotland), was to bring together practitioners and academics to discuss recent developments in soft soil modelling, focussing on ground improvement. This volume is a collection of papers from the workshop, and discusses the state-of-the-art in soft soil modelling and design, with particular emphasis on ground improvement applications, involving contibutions both from academia and industry. The topics included cover: Modelling (constitutive modelling, numerical modelling, and physical modelling), Design and Application (focusing mainly on embankments and foundations), and Ground Improvement (preloading and consolidation methods, column methods, piles and micropiles, and other ground improvement methods).

Geotechnics of Soft Soils - Focus on Ground Improvement will prove to be invaluable to research students, academics and practitioners, working in geotechnical design on soft soils.

To obtain data about the stiffness and bearing capacity of a foundation pile, the Rapid Load Test could be an effective and economic alternative for a static load test. In order to judge this, the influence of rate effects in clay and pore water pressures in sand should first be understood. This book presents the latest developments in the research that is carried out to unravel these effects. It contains current contributions by world wide leading academics. Moreover the editors summarize the empirical field data and discuss advanced centrifuge modeling. This indispensable information source on the progress in Rapid Load Testing is intended for researchers and professionals working on the load testing of foundation piles.

People can be excluded from freedom and the good things in life by age, disability, poverty, unfair discrimination, crime or the fear of crime, and arrogant and unresponsive governments. This practical reference deals with all of these factors, and shows the links between them. In addition to several hundred shorter notes it includes over a thousand major entries, each of which comprises: a summary of relevant facts, incisive commentary to help readers cut through the fog of jargon and propaganda that confuses many of these issues and websites where the latest information may be found. It concludes with a detailed bibliography of around 500 useful references. The work will be found useful by professionals and managers in all walks of life; by central and local government officials and representatives, and by students in the social sciences. It devotes particular attention to the all-important Disability Discrimination Act, and numerous detailed entries, accompanied in many cases by elegant diagrams, suggest to architects and other designers, facilities managers, and personnel managers how the requirements of the Act may be met.

This book provides the critical knowledge and technological bases required for meeting one of the ultimate engineering challenges: the design and construction of smart structures and systems. Research in smart materials and structures seeks to apply multifunctional capabilities of new and existing materials to develop structures and systems that are capable of self-sensing and monitoring, self-diagnosis and prognosis with intelligence, self-healing and repair, and adaptive response to prevent loss of human life and catastrophe, to minimize maintenance and life-cycle costs, and to prolong service life. The papers contained herein, representing the state-of-the-art in the field, were presented at the World Forum on Smart Materials and Smart Structures Technology (SMSS) held in Chongqing and Nanjing, China on May 22-27, 2007.

This text provides a systematic guide describing practical approaches to planning, developing, and implementing successful ITS architectures in regional settings. Based on the principles and methods used to create developed US national ITS architecture, the authors provide readers with a solid understanding of each critical step involved in the regional ITS deployment process. The text also explores key ingredients that make up an effective ITS mission statement, how to choose the best ITS technologies for a specific application, the components involved in developing and appropriate logical and physical architecture.