In recent years the theory and technology of modelling and computation in engineering has expanded rapidly, and has been widely applied in various kinds of engineering projects. Modelling and Computation in Engineering is a collection of 37 contributions, which cover the state-of-the-art on a broad range of topics, including:
- Tunnelling
- Seismic reduction technologies
- Wind-induced vibration control
- Asphalt-rubber concrete
- Open boundary field problems
- Road structures
- Bridge structures
- Earthquake engineering
- Steel structures

Modelling and Computation in Engineering will be much of interest to academics, leading engineers, industry researchers and scholar students in engineering and engineering-related disciplines.

- Serves a variety of users, such as students/engineers who want to learn more about corrosion; academics who want to teach and research in this area and importantly, practitioners who need to assess corrosion damages to metal structures to ensure their safety and serviceability. - The knowledge and techniques presented in the book can be easily applied by users, such as materials and structural engineers who are responsible for safe and serviceable operation of infrastructure, asset managers and owners who need to make decisions regarding the maintenance and even demolition of corroded infrastructure. - This book can be the first of its kind that discusses corrosion and its effect on degradation of various mechanical properties, such as strength fatigue, fracture toughness, of various ferrous metals, such as steel, cost iron and ductile iron. The knowledge of mechanical strength degradation is essential to accurate prediction of infrastructure failures. - The book is written in plain English as much as practicable. Technical terminology is explained in as much detail as possible with necessary figures and tables for easy understanding.

Learn more about phytoremediation technology with this state-of-the-art resource from an internationally recognized editor and leader in his field The Handbook of Assisted and Amendment-Enhanced Sustainable Remediation Technology discusses sustainable approaches to the removal of contaminants from the environment or the reduction of their toxicity. The distinguished editor has included resources from an internationally recognized group of academics who discuss strategies to increase the effectiveness of phytoremediation. Special attention is paid to the use of organic amendments to facilitate soil cleanup and the growth of phytoremediation plants. The book includes discussions of new remediation technologies, global trends in the environmental remediation industry, and the future challenges and opportunities likely to arise in the short and long term. The Handbook of Assisted and Amendment-Enhanced Sustainable Remediation Technology provides a compelling case for the cost-effectiveness, aesthetics, and minimal environmental disturbance of phytoremediation. Topics covered include: A discussion of activated carbon from lignin, particularly its use as a sorbent for in situ remediation of contaminated sediments An exploration of fresh and mature organic amendments for phytoremediation of technosols contaminated with high concentrations of trace elements An examination of the revitalization of metal-contaminated, EDTA-washed soil by addition of unpolluted soil, compost, and biochar A treatment of wheat straw biochar amendments on the removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in contaminated soil Perfect for environmental engineers, environmental scientists, geologists, chemical engineers, and landscape engineers, Handbook of Assisted and Amendment-Enhanced Sustainable Remediation Technology is also an indispensable reference for scientists working in the green chemistry and technology industries, biochemical engineers, environmental regulators, and policy makers.

The negative impacts of floods are attributed to the extent and magnitude of a flood hazard, and the vulnerability and exposure of natural and human elements. In flood risk management (FRM) studies, it is crucial to model the interaction between human and flood subsystems across multiple spatial, temporal and organizational scales. Models should address the heterogeneity that exists within the human subsystem, and incorporate institutions that shape the behaviour of individuals. Hence, the main objectives of the dissertation are to develop a modelling framework and a methodology to build holistic models for FRM, and to assess how coupled human-flood interaction models support FRM policy analysis and decision-making. To achieve the objectives, the study introduces the Coupled fLood-Agent-Institution Modelling framework (CLAIM). CLAIM integrates actors, institutions, the urban environment, hydrologic and hydrodynamic processes and external factors, which affect FRM activities. The framework draws on the complex system perspective and conceptualizes the interaction of floods, humans and their environment as drivers of flood hazard, vulnerability and exposure. The human and flood subsystems are modelled using agent-based models and hydrodynamic models, respectively. The two models are dynamically coupled to understand human-flood interactions and to investigate the effect of institutions on FRM policy analysis.

A new edition of the most comprehensive overview of statistical methods for environmental monitoring applications Thoroughly updated to provide current research findings, Statistical Methods for Groundwater Monitoring, Second Edition continues to provide a comprehensive overview and accessible treatment of the statistical methods that are useful in the analysis of environmental data. This new edition expands focus on statistical comparison to regulatory standards that are a vital part of assessment, compliance, and corrective action monitoring in the environmental sciences.

The book explores quantitative concepts useful for surface water monitoring as well as soil and air monitoring applications while also maintaining a focus on the analysis of groundwater monitoring data in order to detect environmental impacts from a variety of sources, such as industrial activity and waste disposal. The authors introduce the statistical properties of alternative approaches, such as false positive and false negative rates, that are associated with each test and the factors related to these error rates. The Second Edition also features:

An introduction to Intra-laboratory Calibration Curves and random-effects regression models for non-constant measurement variability

Coverage of statistical prediction limits for a gamma-distributed random variable, with a focus on estimation and testing of parameters in environmental monitoring applications

A unified treatment of censored data with the computation of statistical prediction, tolerance, and control limits

Expanded coverage of statistical issues related to laboratory practice, such as detection and quantitation limits

An updated chapter on regulatory issues that outlines common mistakes to avoid in groundwater monitoring applications as well as an introduction to the newest regulations for both hazardous and municipal solid waste facilities

Each chapter provides a general overview of a problem, followed by statistical derivation of the solution and a relevant example complete with computational details that allow readers to perform routine application of the statistical results. Relevant issues are highlighted throughout, and recommendations are also provided for specific problems based on characteristics such as number of monitoring wells, number of constituents, distributional form of measurements, and detection frequency.

Statistical Methods for Groundwater Monitoring, Second Edition is an excellent supplement to courses on environmental statistics at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a valuable resource for researchers and practitioners in the fields of biostatistics, engineering, and the environmental sciences who work with statistical methods in their everyday work.

This book presents a comprehensive analysis and modelling of demand, capacity, quality of services, economics, and sustainability of the air transport system and its main components - - airports, airlines, and ATC/ATM (Air Traffic Control/Management). Airports consist of the airside and landside area characterized by their capacities for handling demand such as aircraft, air passengers, and air freight/cargo shipments. Regarding spatial configuration, airlines generally operate hub-and-spoke (conventional or legacy airlines) and point-to-point (LCCs - Low Cost Carriers) air route networks. Their fleets consisting of different aircraft types provide transport capacity for serving demand including air passengers and freight/cargo shipments. The ATC/ATM includes the controlled airspace, traffic management and control facilities and equipment on the ground, space, and on board aircraft, and the ATC Controllers). They all provide capacity to handle demand consisting of the flights between origin and destination airports carried out by airline aircraft. The outcome from the interrelationships between demand and capacity at these components materializes as the quality of services. At airports and airlines this is generally expressed by congestion and delays of aircraft, air passengers, and freight/cargo shipments. At ATC/ATM, this is expressed by delays, horizontal and vertical in-efficiency, and safety of flights. Economics of each component relate to its revenues, costs, and profits from handling demand, i.e., providing services of given quality. The sustainability of air transport system has become increasingly important issue for many internal and external actors/stakeholders involved to deal with. This has implied increasing the system's overall social-economic effects/benefits while reducing or maintaining constant impacts/costs on the environment and society at both global and regional/local scale under conditions of continuous medium- to long term growth.

This volume in the Fundamentals for the Water and Wastewater Main Operator series covers the basics of piping and valves in water and wastewater plants, including details on fittings, strainers, filters, traps and control systems. The book explains how pipes and valves are used to feed materials (e.g., chemicals) into influents and effluents and also siphon off unwanted liquid and gaseous byproduct. Also covered is how pipes are developed into systems and subsystems and coordinated into a plant-wide functioning unit.

Problems in nonlinear structural dynamics and critical excitation with elastic-plastic structures are typically addressed using time-history response analysis, which requires multiple repetitions and advanced computing. This alternative approach transforms ground motion into impulses and takes an energy balance approach. This book is accessible to undergraduates, being based on the energy balance law and the concepts of kinetic and strain energies, and it can be used by practitioners for building and structural design. This presentation starts with simple models that explain the essential features and extends in a step-by-step manner to more complicated models and phenomena.

Urban climate adaptation currently focusses mainly on hazards but often ignores opportunities which arise in both space and time. Opportunistic Adaptation provides a rationalized approach to mainstream measures for climate adaptation into urban renewal cycles. Adaptation opportunities are identified by projecting the lifespans of urban assets into the future to obtain an operational urban adaptation agenda for the future. Upscaling of the adaptation process is done by synchronizing the end-of-lifecycle of a group of assets to develop adaptation clusters that comprise multiple dwellings, infrastructure as well as public spaces. An extensive catalogue of adaptation measures for different scale-levels ensures flexibility in the type of measures that can be integrated. Sequencing the adaptation measures over long periods of time provides insight and flexibility in the long-term protection standards that can be achieved. By applying a design-centered approach, the potentials of obtaining co-benefits in the urban landscape are maximized. Potentials of clustering of nature-based solutions are being considered which ensures to maximize the delivery of ecosystem services. This research aims to assess \the adaptation potential of Bangkok, based on a case study area (Lat Krabang) by mapping the adaptation opportunities and flood vulnerability. The resulting outputs will contribute to the development of a flexible and inclusive FRM strategy.

Advanced Ship Design for Pollution Prevention is a collection of papers reflecting the teaching materials for a Master of Naval Architecture course developed in the European ASDEPP (Advanced Ship Design for Pollution Prevention) project. The project was financed by the European Commission within the TEMPUS program. The topics covered in the book include: * modelling of the environment and environmental loads * ship structural reliability and strength * fatigue reliability and rational inspection planning; * collision and grounding as criteria in design of ship structures * probabilistic approach to damage stability Advanced Ship Design for Pollution Prevention shows recent trends and developments in Naval Architecture. It is a valuable reference source for PhD students, academics, engineers and professionals involved in design and maintenance of ships and marine structures.

Water utilities worldwide lose 128 billion cubic meters annually, causing annual monetary losses estimated at USD 40 billion. Most of these losses occur in developing countries (74%). This calls for rethinking the challenges facing water utilities in developing countries, foremost of which is the assessment of water losses in intermittent supply networks. Water loss assessment methods were originally developed in continuous supply systems, and their application in intermittently operated networks (in developing countries) is hindered by the widespread use of household water tanks and unauthorised consumption. This study provides an extensive review of existing methods and (software) tools for water loss assessment. In addition, several new methods were developed, which offer improved water loss assessment in intermittent supply. As the volume of water loss varies monthly and annually according to the amount of supplied water, this study proposes procedures to normalise the volume of water loss in order to enable water utilities to monitor and benchmark their performance on water loss management. The study also developed a novel method of estimating apparent losses using routine data of WWTP inflows, enabling future real-time monitoring of losses in networks. Different methods have also been suggested to estimate the unauthorised consumption in networks. This study found that minimum night flow analysis can still be applied in intermittent supply if an area of the network is supplied for several days. Furthermore, this study concluded that water meter performance is enhanced in intermittent supply conditions. However, continuous supply in the presence of float-valves significantly reduces the accuracy of water meters. Finally, this study provides guidance and highlights several knowledge gaps in order to improve the accuracy of water loss assessment in intermittent supply. Accurate assessment of water loss is a prerequisite for reliable leakage modelling and minimisation as well as planning for, and monitoring of water loss management in distribution networks.

The book examines environmental issues and their solutions with advancements in biotechnology and nanotechnology. This book will focus on environmental friendly waste management, wastewater treatment, and utilization of wastes for energy. As humanity is struggling for clean air, water and even contaminant free food, our society must ponder the condition of environment. This book covers a variety of environmental issues and how they could be solved through innovations in science, engineering and technology. The authors examine the use of biotechnological methods to remediate wastewater, toxic organic compounds and sludge management problems. The topics include different research disciplines such as water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management and utilization of wastes for energy. This book will be useful for researchers, students, scientists and academicians who are working in multidisciplinary areas like microbiology, biotechnology, nanotechnology to address environmental issues such as water and wastewater treatment, solid waste management and energy resources. Nanobiotechnology for Green Environment covers a variety of environmental issues and how they could be solved through innovations in science, engineering and technology.

Groundwater is becoming increasingly scarce while the demand for water continues to grow at a global scale. Understanding groundwater resources and their sustainable management is imperative for the future of groundwater use, conservation and protection. This revised and updated two-volume set, focused on sustainability, covers the economic values of groundwater production and use, including micro- and macroeconomic factors, groundwater markets, economic evaluation tools, climate change, transboundary issues and policy evaluation. It explores numerous applications and describes ways to evaluate the economics of groundwater use in the context of the larger ecosystem and the natural capital it provides. FEATURES OF THIS VOLUME Includes an important new chapter on groundwater sustainability management Addresses new examples of groundwater use that are applicable at both the local and international levels Provides the foundation for policy, program and project analysis for all major uses of groundwater Updates groundwater use data along with explanations of major production costs and use benefits Gives a new perspective on users' competition for the subsurface environment Production, Use, and Sustainability of Groundwater, Second Edition, the first volume of the two-volume set Groundwater Economics, is a must-have for any professional or student who needs to understand, evaluate and manage water resources from a range of production and use perspectives affecting groundwater resource sustainability.

Since the early 1980s, researchers and practitioners in the organisational and management fields have presumed a link between organisational, or corporate, culture and organisational performance. Whilst many believe this exists, other authors have been critical of the validity of such studies. Part of this doubt stems from a reliance on measures of organisational performance that are based purely on financial measures of business growth. Using the construction industry as the subject of his research, Vaughan Coffey traces the development of the literature on organisational culture and business effectiveness and investigates the culture-performance link using a new and highly objective measure of company performance and an evaluation of organisational culture, which is largely behaviourally-based. Providing a theoretical contribution to the field, this work shows that various cultural traits appear to be closely linked to objectively measured organisational effectiveness. This book will be valuable to professionals and researchers in the fields of management and public policy. It indicates directions for construction companies to develop and change, and in doing so strengthen their chances of remaining strong when opportunities for work might deplete and only the most successful companies will be able to survive.

This first volume of a two-volume work contains the papers presented at the 2016 International Conference on Civil, Architecture and Environmental Engineering (ICCAE 2016) that was held on 4-6 November 2016 in Taipei, Taiwan. The meeting was organized by China University of Technology and Taiwan Society of Construction Engineers and brought together professors, researchers, scholars and industrial pioneers from all over the world. ICCAE 2016 is an important forum for the presentation of new research developments, exchange of ideas and experience and covers the following subject areas: Structural Science & Architecture Engineering, Building Materials & Materials Science, Construction Equipment & Mechanical Science, Environmental Science & Environmental Engineering, Computer Simulation & Computer and Electrical Engineering. Volume 1 covers subject areas Structural Science and Architecture Engineering; Building Materials and Materials Science & Construction Equipment and Mechanical Science.

This book provides a basic understanding of waste management problems and issues faced by modern society. Scientific, technical, and environmental principles are emphasized to illustrate the processes of municipal and industrial solid wastes and liquid wastes, and the nature of impacts resulting from waste dispersal and disposal in the environment. Economic, social, legal, and political aspects of waste management are also addressed. Environmental issues and concerns receive thorough coverage in discussing waste reduction, resource recovery, and efficient and practical waste disposal systems. Other specific topics include recycling, physical and chemical processing, the biological treatment of waste solids, incineration, pyrolysis, and energy recover, hazardous wastes, and landfill management.The role of government and other institutions in waste management and resource recovery matters is also detailed. Discussion questions, worked examples, and end-of-chapter problems reinforce important concepts. Waste Management and Resource Recovery is particularly suitable as a text in waste management courses in environmental science or engineering programs. It also works well as a reference for practitioners in the waste management field.

1 Die wirtschaftliche Bedeutung der Schutzmassnahmen fur EDV-Anlagen.- 2 Voraussetzungen und Anforderungen an die sicherheits-gerechte Konzipierung eines Hochsicherheitsbereichs.- 3 Unterschiedliche Gefahrdungen fur Rechenzentren.- 3.1 Einbruch/Diebstahl, Sabotage und Vandalismus.- 3.2 Brand, Verrauchung.- 3.3 Fehlfunktionen in der Klimatisierung.- 3.4 Wassereinbruch.- 3.5 Elektrische Versorgung.- 3.5.1 Aufrechterhaltung der Stromversorgung.- 3.5.2 UEberspannungen und Blitzschlag.- 3.6 Datenverlust.- 3.7 Sonstige Gefahren.- 4 Moegliche Analysemethoden.- 5 Schema der konkreten Risiko- und Schutzniveauermittlung.- 5.1 Massnahmen gegen Einbruch, Diebstahl, Sabotage und Vandalismus.- 5.2 Massnahmen gegen Feuer und Verrauchung.- 5.3 Massnahmen gegen Fehlfunktionen der Klimatisierung.- 5.4 Massnahmen gegen Beschadigungen durch Wasser bzw. fehlerhafte Versorgung.- 5.5 Massnahmen zur Aufrechterhaltung der gleichbleibenden Stromversorgung.- 5.6 Massnahmen gegen Datenverlust.- 5.7 Sonstige sicherheitsrelevante Kriterien.- 5.8 Zusammenfassende Benotung der analysierten Risiken.- 6 Sicherheitsmanagement: Organisation und Realisierung der sicherheitstechnischen Massnahmen.- 7 Sicherheitsgerechter EDV-Betrieb.- 8 Organisatorische Schritte zur permanenten Beibehaltung des Niveaus des ursprunglich entworfenen Sicherheitskonzepts.- 8.1 Menschliche Aspekte.- 8.2 Technische Massnahmen.- 9 Katastrophenvorsorge.- 9.1 Katastrophenplan.- 9.2 Backup-Konzepte.- 9.3 Versicherungskonzepte fur Hochsicherheitsbereiche.- 10 Schlussworte und Aussicht.

Safety of Sea Transportation is the second of two Conference Proceedings of TransNav 2017, June 21-23 in Gdynia, Poland. Safety of Sea Transportation will focus on the following themes: Sustainability, intermodal and multimodal transportation Safety and hydrodynamic study of hydrotechnical structures Bunkering and fuel consumption Gases emission, water pollution and environmental protection Occupational accidents Supply chain of blocks and spare parts Electrotechnical problems Ships stability and loading strength Cargo loading and port operations Maritime Education and Training (MET) Human factor, crew manning and seafarers problems Economic analysis Mathematical models, methods and algorithms Fishery Legal aspects Aviation

The 12th International Conference on Marine Navigation and Safety of Sea Transportation (TransNav 2017) will take place on June 21-23 in Gdynia, Poland. Main themes of this conference include: electronic navigation, route planning, mathematical models, methods and algorithms, ships manoeuvring, navigational risks, Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), Automatic Identification System (AIS), marine radar, anti-collision, dynamic positioning, visualization of data, hydrometereological aspects and weather routing, safety at sea, inland navigation, autonomous water transport, communications and global maritime distress and safety system (GMDSS), port ant routes optimum location and magnetic compasses.

Volume 2 of History of Construction Cultures contains papers presented at the 7ICCH - Seventh International Congress on Construction History, held at the Lisbon School of Architecture, Portugal, from 12 to 16 July, 2021. The conference has been organized by the Lisbon School of Architecture (FAUL), NOVA School of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Portuguese Society for Construction History Studies and the University of the Azores. The contributions cover the wide interdisciplinary spectrum of Construction History and consist on the most recent advances in theory and practical case studies analysis, following themes such as: - epistemological issues; - building actors; - building materials; - building machines, tools and equipment; - construction processes; - building services and techniques ; -structural theory and analysis ; - political, social and economic aspects; - knowledge transfer and cultural translation of construction cultures. Furthermore, papers presented at thematic sessions aim at covering important problematics, historical periods and different regions of the globe, opening new directions for Construction History research. We are what we build and how we build; thus, the study of Construction History is now more than ever at the centre of current debates as to the shape of a sustainable future for humankind. Therefore, History of Construction Cultures is a critical and indispensable work to expand our understanding of the ways in which everyday building activities have been perceived and experienced in different cultures, from ancient times to our century and all over the world.

Shaft sinking for underground transportation purposes is a very complex technological process in mining and geotechnology which requires specific and specially designed technological equipment. This technological process is dealt with for a long time, since mining is one of the oldest industries in the world. This book presents the technical papers that were presented at the International Mining Forum 2015. The International Mining Forum (IMF) is a meeting place of scientists and professionals who are engaged in confronting ideas and experience, evaluating solutions implemented, and discussing new ideas that might change the image of the mining industry. The IMF is an international activity of the School of Underground Mining, the major branch event organized both by the Mineral & Energy Economy Research Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences and AGH-University of Science & Technology of Cracow, which gathering approximately 500 people from Poland and other countries every year. This year's edition of the International Mining Forum was related to specialistic underground construction. Experts presented papers related to the implementation and operation of the vertical and decline shafts. Experience from China, Germany, Serbia, Slovenia and Poland were shared at the meeting. The topics of papers submitted include: Application of TBM for driving declines shafts State-of-the-Art in Blind Shaft Drilling Ground freezing Technology of shaft sinking in low-strength rocks and high natural hazards probabilities Static calculations of the shaft linings Determinants of forecasting deformation in a shaft

A complete exploration of the health and well-being implications of access to natural daylight illumination and views to the outdoors. Makes the case that appropriately timed exposure to daylight is essential to our health and well-being, tied to the very genetic foundations of our physiology and cognitive function. Helps the reader appreciate the subtlety, beauty and pleasures of well-daylit spaces and attractive window views, and how these are woven into the fabric of our daily sensory experiences, and determined by the design of our buildings, cities, and cultural perspectives. Written to engage and challenge a variety of readers, including all forms of building and urban designers, plus anyone interested in human health and wellbeing, from medical researchers to the occupants of all types of buildings.

The Second International Conference on Press-in Engineering (ICPE) 2021 was organized by the International Press-in Association (IPA). The conference is held every three years and the main theme this time is "Evolution and Social Contribution of Press-in Engineering for Infrastructure Development, and Disaster Prevention and Mitigation". These proceedings contain 2 keynote lectures, 3 state-of-the-art lectures and about 60 papers from more than 10 countries. This publication provides good practice guidance on the application of the press-in piling method, to satisfy the requirements of geo-structures which are embedded utilizing prefabricated piles. It covers actual examples of the press-in piling method applied to various geo-structures, such as temporary and permanent retaining walls, cofferdams, cut-off walls, foundation piles etc. The content addresses the technical and construction issues relating to the selection of the appropriate type of press-in piling method, in accordance with required structural design criteria and soil and working conditions. The aim of this publication is to concisely describe practical uses of the press-in piling method for project owners, designers, contractors, academic researchers and other people in the construction industry.

The book collects the latest research on both contractual and conceptual collaborative practices in construction. It identifies common problems faced by the industry and draws out practical implications.
Construction projects are increasingly run in ways that undermine the traditional boundary of the firm and sometimes also the definition of the project coalition. This poses challenges for construction firms whose clients demand ever increasing performance improvements as well as those firms who want to improve their strategies for greater collaboration to give themselves competitive advantage.
The editors identify three main themes: collaborative relationships, operating both in frameworks and within networks of contacts, e.g. relational contracting in partnering, supply chain management and other procurement-driven initiatives.
The second theme is frameworks, both contractual frameworks binding parties together over a series of contracts, and conceptual frameworks used to develop future performance improvement arising from the proactive strategies of firms.
The third theme is the network of relationships that supports individuals and firms within the project coalition in delivering services and adding value to improve performance. These networks define the investment and incentives supporting the inter-firm and intra-firm relationships, as well as the formal contractual conditions through which such incentives flow. Networks of information exchange define the structure of the activity and help predict organisational configurations for successful project outcomes.

Billions of dollars are spent annually for the replacement of corroded structures, machinery, and components. Premature failure of bridges or structures due to corrosion can also result in human injury, loss of life, and collateral damage. Written by an authority in corrosion science, Fundamentals of Corrosion: Mechanisms, Causes, and Preventative Methods comprehensively describes the causes of corrosion-and the means to limit or prevent it. Engineers, designers, architects, and all those involved with the selection of construction materials will relish a reference that provides such a thorough yet basic illustration of the causes, prevention, and control of corrosion. This reference explores: Mechanisms and forms of corrosion Methods of attack on plastic materials Causes of failure in protective coatings, linings, and paints Development of new alloys with corrosion-resistant properties Exposure to the atmosphere is one of the largest problems and biggest causes of corrosion that engineers and designers face in construction. It has been further estimated that the cost of protection against atmospheric corrosion accounts for approximately half the total cost of all corrosion protection methods. This book places special emphasis on atmospheric exposure and presents vital information regarding the design of structures, automobiles, household plumbing, manufacturing equipment, and other entities, as well as the effects of de-icing chemicals on highways and bridges.