The Silk Road of the 21st Century, announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013, will certainly change the world. It will definitely stimulate economic growth and prosperity in China, the rest of Asia and elsewhere. But how can we prevent the environmental damage and the increasing inequality on a planetary scale brought about by the construction of this "road" - or in reality: a network of highways, railways, sea routes and other connections? This book deals with the question for the Maritime branch of the new Silk Road and discusses relevant strategies and technologies for sustainable and responsible port innovation and development. The backbone of the study is formed by a number of case studies of port projects in and outside of China. Some chapters focus on best practices, while others discuss new academic viewpoints, but in all cases, suggestions for improvement are given. Based on the idea that a large investment agenda also creates moral responsibility, the Chinese cases also serve to ascertain whether and to what extent they can serve as an example for projects elsewhere. A few introductory and thematic chapters and the conclusion give steering and sense to the rest of the book. Ultimately, this title gives a first and coherent analysis and assessment of a project that is unparalleled in the world and that constitutes an important determining factor for our future.

Structural health monitoring is an exciting new field on the frontier of applied engineering. With the purpose of examining the health of standing buildings, aircrafts, and other complex structures using pre-installed sensors that provide stress and pressure data in real-time, this field allows structural-health experts to act as engineering "doctors." These specialists diagnose potential problems in advance using complex algorithms and statistical modeling so that steps may be taken to prevent structural damage-or worse, loss of life. Emerging Design Solutions in Structural Health Monitoring Systems seeks to advance cutting-edge research in the field, with a special focus on cross-disciplinary work involving recent advances in IT. This research has enabled structural-health experts to wield groundbreaking new models of artificial intelligence as a diagnostic tool capable of identifying future problems before they even appear. This publication serves as a broad overview of structural management science, as well as an on-ramp for a general engineering audience, including students, educators, and researchers.

History has not been kind to the memory of William Mackenzie. While the names of Telford and Stephenson continue to be well known today, that of William Mackenzie, one of the most important figures in the engineering world during the first half of the nineteenth century, has slipped from prominence.The Institution of Civil Engineers has now published The Diary of William Mackenzie, a fascinating new book which presents a unique record of this important figure and also of the Victorian world in which he lived, affording new insights for economic, social and engineering historians

To access global oil and gas deposits, major pipelines must traverse remote regions with extreme terrains. There are a significant number of pipeline projects, active or planned, in tropical jungles, mountains and deserts, in permafrost and in areas of wetland. Each of these natural environments is associated with a range of geohazards, which may include landslides, soil erosion, karst, river migration, and seismic or volcanic activity. At the same time, society demands increasing availability and reliability of supply, together with improved environmental standards, all making for substantial challenges. In the past, guidelines have been few and approaches variable between projects. Nevertheless, best practices are beginning to emerge in some parts of the world and it is these that are being shared.This volume consisting of over 40 papers presents the proceedings of the International Conference on Terrain and Geohazard Challenges Facing Onshore Oil and Gas Pipelines. thinking and the promoting of engagement between pipeline designers and builders, geoengineers and environmental specialists and client organisations.

This important collection presents an authoritative selection of papers on public private partnerships. The literature is relatively new, and draws on the disciplines of both economics and engineering. As well as examining the recent experience of these schemes - whose evolution has accelerated in recent years - this insightful collection also considers the intellectual origins of the concept, and investigates the organisational and risk management aspects of PPPs. It will be an essential source of reference for all those with an interest in this topical subject. 36 articles, dating from 1991 to 2003

CHECK DAM CONSTRUCTION FOR SUSTAINABLE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING Authoritative and comprehensive reference on the potential for watershed development through the use of check dams Check Dam Construction for Sustainable Watershed Management and Planning summarizes current knowledge of check dams as key soil and water conservation structures in some of the most sensitive and vulnerable ecosystems in the world, as exemplified by the Mediterranean area and the Chinese Loess Plateau, providing detailed information on check dam design and watershed planning, the use of advanced modeling techniques, challenges in dam construction and how to overcome them. The work integrates decades of research in the field of soil and water conservation and gully management, including advanced studies in check dam construction and watershed management. It also covers important new techniques and methods, such as hydrological modeling, isotope tracing, and more. To aid in reader comprehension, the five highly qualified editors have divided the work into three distinct sections. Sections I and II focus on the experience gained from the erosion hotspots in the Chinese Loess Plateau, whereas Section III expands the scope to other regions with different functions for check dams, including headwater ecosystems and alpine environments. Sample topics covered in Check Dam Construction for Sustainable Watershed Management and Planning include: The regulating effect of check dam systems on sediment redistribution and the formation and development of dam systems in small watersheds Water and soil conservation made possible by check dam construction and sediment source analysis of water-sediment retarding effects of check dams The regulation of check dam systems on the erosion dynamic process and the mechanism of erosion reduction by check dams Flood control risk assessment on warping dam systems and the development and utilization model of check dam systems With its systematic coverage of all aspects of dam construction and maintenance, Check Dam Construction for Sustainable Watershed Management and Planning supports decision making by local authorities and can also be used as a professional guide for ecologists, hydrologists, and water resource managers.

Provides better understanding of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and how they affect humans and ecosystems. Includes genesis, categories, environmental fate and behaviour, and associated hazards. Reviews analytical techniques involved in detection, human exposure and management. Discusses environmental dynamics of POPs. Focus is on the comprehensive account of PCDD/Fs, PCBs, and PAH; other organochlorine POPs such as DDT, lindane, and dieldrin.