Drawing for Civil engineering Second Edition has been revised and now includes computer applications and free Internet-downloadable software that can be used by students. The core function of this book is to cover the fundamentals of civil engineering drawing, draughting practice and conventions. Aimed mainly at second-level students at universities of technology and other tertiary institutions, the book outlines reinforced concrete drawings, steel structure drawings and surveying drawings. With its improved design, Drawing for Civil Engineering Second Edition is more accessible and comprehensive.

Introduction to Engineering Design is a completely novel text covering the basic elements of engineering design for structural integrity. Some of the most important concepts that students must grasp are those relating to 'design thinking' and reasoning, and not just those that relate to simple theoretical and analytical approaches. This is what will enable them to get to grips with *practical* design problems, and the starting point is thinking about problems in a 'deconstructionist' sense.
By analysing design problems as sophisticated systems made up of simpler constituents, and evolving a solution from known experience of such building blocks, it is possible to develop an approach that will enable the student to tackle even completely alien design scenarios with confidence. The other essential aspect of the design process - the concept of failure, and its avoidance - is also examined in detail, and the importance not only of contemplating expected failure conditions at the design stage but also checking those conditions as they apply to the completed design is stressed.
These facets in combination offer a systematic method of considering the design process and one that will undoubtedly find favour with many students, teaching staff and practising engineers alike.

DHM and Posturography explores the body of knowledge and state-of-the-art in digital human modeling, along with its application in ergonomics and posturography. The book provides an industry first introductory and practitioner focused overview of human simulation tools, with detailed chapters describing elements of posture, postural interactions, and fields of application. Thus, DHM tools and a specific scientific/practical problem - the study of posture - are linked in a coherent framework. In addition, sections show how DHM interfaces with the most common physical devices for posture analysis. Case studies provide the applied knowledge necessary for practitioners to make informed decisions. Digital Human Modelling is the science of representing humans with their physical properties, characteristics and behaviors in computerized, virtual models. These models can be used standalone, or integrated with other computerized object design systems, to design or study designs, workplaces or products in their relationship with humans.

Metaheuristics for Structural Design and Analysis discusses general properties and types of metaheuristic techniques, basic principles of topology, shape and size optimization of structures, and applications of metaheuristic algorithms in solving structural design problems. Analysis of structures using metaheuristic algorithms is also discussed. Comparisons are made with classical methods and modern computational methods through metaheuristic algorithms. The book is designed for senior structural engineering students, graduate students, academicians and practitioners.

In this important study, former United States primary patent examiner Patricia Carter Sluby pays homage to the inventive spirit of African Americans. Beginning with the contributions of enslaved Africans brought to American shores, Sluby introduces inventors and patent holders from all fields up to and including the leading edge of today's technology. Along with such recognizable figures as George Washington Carver and Madam C. J. Walker, readers will discover little-known or forgotten pioneers of devices such as a tobacco substitute, a home security system, and a portable heart monitor. Particular attention is given to the innovations of women inventors and scientists. Products to ease domestic life, promote the efficiency of industrial processes, and improve the safety of leisure activities all bear the hallmarks of these creative minds. Sluby details the plight of inventive slaves during the antebellum and Civil War eras. She juxtaposes their efforts with those of free blacks of the same period. Reconstruction saw significant agricultural and industrial innovations by African Americans, some of which would permanently change American industry. Military inventions during the course and aftermath of both world wars showcase the diversity of minority ideas in an age of rapid technological advances. The closing chapter recounts the ongoing efforts of modern thinkers and their contributions in the high-tech and medical fields at the vanguard of the new century.

The importance of these books to the construction industry as a description of construction practice at specific points in history is now beginning to be appreciated by modern-day architects, technologists and building surveyors as they prepare to update or repair existing buildings from the late 1890's.

This book covers up-to-date methods and algorithms for the automated analysis of engineering drawings and digital cartographic maps. The Non-Deterministic Agent System (NDAS) offers a parallel computational approach to such image analysis. The book describes techniques suitable for persistent and explicit knowledge representation for engineering drawings and digital maps. It also highlights more specific techniques, e.g., applying robot navigation and mapping methods to this problem. Also included are more detailed accounts of the use of unsupervised segmentation algorithms to map images. Finally, all these threads are woven together in two related systems: NDAS and AMAM (Automatic Map Analysis Module).

Design is the essential component of engineering. Design Matters demonstrates the need to understand the context, process and delivery of engineering projects and services by focusing on the nature and practice of engineering design. The book specifically highlights the cultural, economic, political and social parameters and illustrates the importance of their understanding as demonstrated by successful designers.

Unique to Design Matters are case studies that demonstrate the principles described in the book and the importance of using multidisciplinary teams to achieve effective design development. Contributions are included from key professionals involved in several high-profile and innovative civil and industrial engineering projects, including:

• A Diagnostic Analyser, Northern Ireland
• A Foot Prosthesis, UK
• The Channel Tunnel Terminal, UK
• The Channel Tunnel Rail Link, UK
• The London Eye, London
• The Lesotho Hydro-electric Project, Natal
• An Australian Timber Arch Bridge, Melbourne
• The Bahaii Temple, New Delhi, India
• The Hampden Gurney Primary School, London
• The Bridge Academy Secondary School, London
• The Harris-Manchester College, Oxford
• The Angel of the North, Gateshead, UK

Design Matters is an ideal text for graduate students in all branches of engineering looking to gain a practical introduction to the breadth and depth of the design process as well as to practicing engineers who wish to gain further insight into how design engineering worksstrategically.

James Armstrong is an internationally-known consulting engineer, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a past president of the Institution of Structural Engineers. He was responsible for the design and planning of such world-class projects as the Channel Tunnel Terminal works, the Falkland Islands airport and the University of Surrey, UK. In academia he has taught as a visiting professor at universities in the UK, United States, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. He has travelled and lectured widely, in Russia, Romania, Brazil, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Monitoring hazardous gases is highly complex, yet critical to semiconductor manufacturing. This book includes excerpts from codes and standards relevant to the industry, including the latest editions of model fire codes. This guide provides the basics to successfully comply with code requirements.
The guidelines in this book go beyond minimum design standards to ensure that best industry practices are employed to address the many safety, environmental and economic concerns of hazardous occupancy facilities. System certification, redundancy and integration of gas sensors into a monitoring, control and alarm system are discussed.
This is a field-guide reference. It is spiral-bound for easier ""benchtop"" access to the information you need while setting up your gas monitoring systems. It is valuable to everyone involved in handling hazardous gases.

This volume contains the text of papers presented at the NATO Advanced Research Workshop on Emergent Computing Methods in Engineering Design, held in Nafplio, Greece, August 25-27, 1994. The workshop convened together some thirty or so researchers from Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Taiwan, The Netherlands, United Kingdom and the United States of America, to address issues related to the application of such emergent computing methods as genetic algorithms, neural networks and simulated annealing in problems of engineering design. The volume is essentially organized into three parts, with each part having some theoretical papers and other papers of a more practical nature. The frrst part, which comprises the largest number of papers, deals with genetic algorithms and evolutionary computing and presents subject matter ranging from proposed improvements to the computing methodology to specific applications in engineering design. The second part deals with neural networks and considers such topics as their application as approximation tools in design, their adaptation in control system design and theoretical issues of interpretation. The third part of the volume presents a collection of papers that examine such diverse topics as the combined use of genetic algorithms and neural networks, the application of simulated annealing techniques, problem decomposition techniques and the computer recognition and interpretation of emerging objects in engineering design.

This book introduces the reader to each phase of the subject, step-by-step to enable one to use the various automated drafting devices, instruments and technique of application. It shows the way to produce acceptable drafting in the framework of high productivity.

Rethinking Building Skins: Transformative Technologies and Research Trajectories provides a comprehensive collection of the most relevant and forward-looking research in the field of facade design and construction today, with a focus on both product and process innovation. The book brings together the expertise, creativity, and critical thinking of more than fifty global innovators from both academia and industry, to guide the reader in translating research into practice. It identifies new opportunities for the construction sector to respond to present challenges, towards a more sustainable, efficient, connected, and safe future.