Graph theory gained initial prominence in science and engineering through its strong links with matrix algebra and computer science. Moreover, the structure of the mathematics is well suited to that of engineering problems in analysis and design. The methods of analysis in this book employ matrix algebra, graph theory and meta-heuristic algorithms, which are ideally suited for modern computational mechanics. Efficient methods are presented that lead to highly sparse and banded structural matrices. The main features of the book include: application of graph theory for efficient analysis; extension of the force method to finite element analysis; application of meta-heuristic algorithms to ordering and decomposition (sparse matrix technology); efficient use of symmetry and regularity in the force method; and simultaneous analysis and design of structures.

A large part of the research currently being conducted in the fields of materials science and engineering mechanics is devoted to carbon nanotubes and their applications. In this process, modeling is a very attractive investigation tool due to the difficulties in manufacturing and testing of nanomaterials. Continuum modeling offers significant advantages over atomistic modeling. Furthermore, the lack of accuracy in continuum methods can be overtaken by incorporating input data either from experiments or atomistic methods. This book reviews the recent progress in continuum modeling of carbon nanotubes and their composites. The advantages and disadvantages of continuum methods over atomistic methods are comprehensively discussed. Numerical models, mainly based on the finite element method, as well as analytical models are presented in a comparative way starting from the simulation of isolated pristine and defected nanotubes and proceeding to nanotube-based composites. The ability of continuum methods to bridge different scales is emphasized. Recommendations for future research are given by focusing on what still continuum methods have to learn from the nano-scale. The scope of the book is to provide current knowledge aiming to support researchers entering the scientific area of carbon nanotubes to choose the appropriate modeling tool for accomplishing their study and place their efforts to further improve continuum methods.

Mechanics and Model-Based Control of Advanced Engineering Systems collects 32 contributions presented at the International Workshop on Advanced Dynamics and Model Based Control of Structures and Machines, which took place in St. Petersburg, Russia in July 2012. The workshop continued a series of international workshops, which started with a Japan-Austria Joint Workshop on Mechanics and Model Based Control of Smart Materials and Structures and a Russia-Austria Joint Workshop on Advanced Dynamics and Model Based Control of Structures and Machines. In the present volume, 10 full-length papers based on presentations from Russia, 9 from Austria, 8 from Japan, 3 from Italy, one from Germany and one from Taiwan are included, which represent the state of the art in the field of mechanics and model based control, with particular emphasis on the application of advanced structures and machines.

Cutting edge research in cell and tissue research abounds in this review of the latest technological developments in the area. The chapters are written by excellent scientists on advanced, frontier technology and address scientific questions that require considerable engineering brainpower. The aim is to provide students and scientists working in academia and industry new information on bioengineering in cell and tissue research to enhance their understanding and innovation.

How can we optimize a bedridden patient's mattress? How can we make a passenger seat on a long distance flight or ride more comfortable? What qualities should a runner's shoes have? To objectively address such questions using engineering and scientific methods, adequate virtual human body models for use in computer simulation of loading scenarios are required. The authors have developed a novel method incorporating subject studies, magnetic resonance imaging, 3D-CAD-reconstruction, continuum mechanics, material theory and the finite element method. The focus is laid upon the mechanical in vivo-characterization of human soft tissue, which is indispensable for simulating its mechanical interaction with, for example, medical bedding or automotive and airplane seating systems. Using the examples of arbitrary body support systems, the presented approach provides visual insight into simulated internal mechanical body tissue stress and strain, with the goal of biomechanical optimization of body support systems. This book is intended for engineers, manufacturers and physicians and also provides students with guidance in solving problems related to support system optimization.

This work presents the results of RILEM TC 237-SIB (Testing and characterization of sustainable innovative bituminous materials and systems). The papers have been selected for publication after a rigorous peer review process and will be an invaluable source to outline and clarify the main directions of present and future research and standardization for bituminous materials and pavements. The following topics are covered: - Characterization of binder-aggregate interaction - Innovative testing of bituminous binders, additives and modifiers - Durability and aging of asphalt pavements - Mixture design and compaction analysis - Environmentally sustainable materials and technologies - Advances in laboratory characterization of bituminous materials - Modeling of road materials and pavement performance prediction - Field measurement and in-situ characterization - Innovative materials for reinforcement and interlayer systems - Cracking and damage characterization of asphalt pavements - Recycling and re-use in road pavements This is the proceedings of the RILEM SIB2015 Symposium (Ancona, Italy, October 7-9, 2015).

The book describes a systematic stochastic modeling approach for assessing thermal-fatigue crack-growth in mixing tees, based on the power spectral density of temperature fluctuation at the inner pipe surface. It shows the development of a frequency-temperature response function in the framework of single-input, single-output (SISO) methodology from random noise/signal theory under sinusoidal input. The frequency response of stress intensity factor (SIF) is obtained by a polynomial fitting procedure of thermal stress profiles at various instants of time. The method, which takes into account the variability of material properties, and has been implemented in a real-world application, estimates the probabilities of failure by considering a limit state function and Monte Carlo analysis, which are based on the proposed stochastic model. Written in a comprehensive and accessible style, this book presents a new and effective method for assessing thermal fatigue crack, and it is intended as a concise and practice-oriented guide for all undergraduate students, young scientists and researchers dealing with probabilistic assessment of structural integrity.

Challenges in Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials and Processes in Conventional and Multifunctional Materials, Volume 2: Proceedings of the 2013 SEM Annual Conference& Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, the second volume of eight from the Conference, brings together contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on fundamental and applied aspects of Experimental Mechanics, including papers in the following general technical research areas: Metallic, Polymeric and Composite Materials Effects of Extreme Environments including Radiation Resistance, Damage, and Aging Challenges in Time-dependent Behavior Modeling of Low, Moderate and High Strain Rates Effects of Frequency and Hysteretic Heating Effects of Inhomogeneities on the Time-Dependent Behavior Composite, Hybrid and Multifunctional Materials Challenges in Time-dependent Behavior Modeling Viscoelastoplasticity and Damage Effects of Interfaces and Interphases on the Time-Dependent Behavior Environmental and Reactive Property Change Effects on Thermomechanical and Multifunctional Behaviors Modeling and Characterization of Fabrication Processes of Conventional and Multifunctional Materials Time-dependent and Small-scale Effects in Micro/Nano-scale TestingTime-dependent Processes in Biomaterials

This thesis presents a series of mechanical test methods and comprehensively investigates the deformation and damage behavior of Cu/Pb-free solder joints under different loading conditions. The fracture behavior of Pb-free joint interfaces induced by stress, deformation of solder and substrate are shown, the shear fracture strength of the Cu6Sn5 IMC is measured experimentally for the first time, and the dynamic damage process and microstructure evolution behavior of Pb-free solder joints are revealed intuitively. The thesis puts forward the argument that the local cumulative damage is the major cause of failure in solder joints. The research results provide the experimental and theoretical basis for improving the reliability of solder joints.

This book examines in detail the entire process involved in implementing geotechnical projects, from a well-defined initial stress and deformation state, to the completion of the installation process. The individual chapters provide the fundamental knowledge needed to effectively improve soil-structure interaction models. Further, they present the results of theoretical fundamental research on suitable constitutive models, contact formulations, and efficient numerical implementations and algorithms. Applications of fundamental research on boundary value problems are also considered in order to improve the implementation of the theoretical models developed. Subsequent chapters highlight parametric studies of the respective geotechnical installation process, as well as elementary and large-scale model tests under well-defined conditions, in order to identify the most essential parameters for optimizing the process. The book provides suitable methods for simulating boundary value problems in connection with geotechnical installation processes, offering reliable predictions for the deformation behavior of structures in static contexts or dynamic interaction with the soil.

This book deals in a modern manner with a family of named problems from an old and mature subject, classical elasticity. These problems are formulated over either a half or the whole of a linearly elastic and isotropic two- or three-dimensional space, subject to loads concentrated at points or lines. The discussion of each problem begins with a careful examination of the prevailing symmetries, and proceeds with inverting the canonical order, in that it moves from a search for balanced stress fields to the associated strain and displacement fields. The book, although slim, is fairly well self-contained; the only prerequisite is a reasonable familiarity with linear algebra (in particular, manipulation of vectors and tensors) and with the usual differential operators of mathematical physics (gradient, divergence, curl, and Laplacian); the few nonstandard notions are introduced with care. Support material for all parts of the book is found in the final Appendix.

Mechanics of Biological Systems and Materials, Volume 5: Proceedings of the 2012 Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics represents one of seven volumes of technical papers presented at the Society for Experimental Mechanics SEM 12th International Congress & Exposition on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, held at Costa Mesa, California, June 11-14, 2012. The full set of proceedings also includes volumes on Dynamic Behavior of Materials, Challenges in Mechanics of Time-Dependent Materials and Processes in Conventional and Multifunctional Materials, Imaging Methods for Novel Materials and Challenging Applications, Experimental and Applied Mechanics, MEMS and Nanotechnology and, Composite Materials and Joining Technologies for Composites.

This book presents up-to-date knowledge of dynamic analysis in engineering world. To facilitate the understanding of the topics by readers with various backgrounds, general principles are linked to their applications from different angles. Special interesting topics such as statistics of motions and loading, damping modeling and measurement, nonlinear dynamics, fatigue assessment, vibration and buckling under axial loading, structural health monitoring, human body vibrations, and vehicle-structure interactions etc., are also presented. The target readers include industry professionals in civil, marine and mechanical engineering, as well as researchers and students in this area.

Real-time simulations of the behaviour of a rail vehicle require realistic solutions of the wheel-rail contact problem which can work in a real-time mode. Examples of such solutions for the online mode have been well known and are implemented within standard and commercial tools for the simulation codes for rail vehicle dynamics. This book is the result of the research activities carried out by the Railway Technology Lab of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Politecnico di Torino. This book presents work on the project for the development of a real-time wheel-rail contact model and provides the simulation results obtained with dSpace real-time hardware. Besides this, the implementation of the contact model for the development of a real-time model for the complex mechatronic system of a scaled test rig is presented in this book and may be useful for the further validation of the real-time contact model with experiments on a full scale test rig.

With rapid economic and industrial development in China, India and elsewhere, fluid-related structural vibration and noise problems are widely encountered in many fields, just as they are in the more developed parts of the world, causing increasingly grievous concerns. Turbulence clearly has a significant impact on many such problems. On the other hand, new opportunities are emerging with the advent of various new technologies, such as signal processing, flow visualization and diagnostics, new functional materials, sensors and actuators, etc. These have revitalized interdisciplinary research activities, and it is in this context that the 2nd symposium on fluid-structure-sound interactions and control (FSSIC) was organized. Held in Hong Kong (May 20-21, 2013) and Macau (May 22-23, 2013), the meeting brought together scientists and engineers working in all related branches from both East and West and provided them with a forum to exchange and share the latest progress, ideas and advances and to chart the frontiers of FSSIC. The Proceedings of the 2nd Symposium on Fluid-Structure-Sound Interactions and Control largely focuses on advances in the theory, experimental research and numerical simulations of turbulence in the contexts of flow-induced vibration, noise and their control. This includes several practical areas for interaction, such as the aerodynamics of road and space vehicles, marine and civil engineering, nuclear reactors and biomedical science etc. One of the particular features of these proceedings is that it integrates acoustics with the study of flow-induced vibration, which is not a common practice but is scientifically very helpful in understanding, simulating and controlling vibration. This offers a broader view of the discipline from which readers will benefit greatly. These proceedings are intended for academics, research scientists, design engineers and graduate students in engineering fluid dynamics, acoustics, fluid and aerodynamics, vibration, dynamical systems and control etc. Yu Zhou is a professor in Institute for Turbulence-Noise-Vibration Interaction and Control at Harbin Institute of Technology. Yang Liu is an associate professor at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Lixi Huang, associate professor, works at the University of Hong Kong. Professor Dewey H. Hodges works at the School of Aerospace Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology.

This contributed volume contains a collection of articles on state-of-the-art developments on the construction of theoretical integral techniques and their application to specific problems in science and engineering. Written by internationally recognized researchers, the chapters in this book are based on talks given at the Thirteenth International Conference on Integral Methods in Science and Engineering, held July 21-25, 2014, in Karlsruhe, Germany. A broad range of topics is addressed, from problems of existence and uniqueness for singular integral equations on domain boundaries to numerical integration via finite and boundary elements, conservation laws, hybrid methods, and other quadrature-related approaches. This collection will be of interest to researchers in applied mathematics, physics, and mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as graduate students in these disciplines and other professionals for whom integration is an essential tool.

MEMS and Nanotechnology, Volume 5: Proceedings of the 2013 Annual Conference on Experimental and Applied Mechanics, the fifth volume of eight from the Conference, brings together contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on a wide range of areas, including: Microelectronics Packaging Single Atom/Molecule Mechanical Testing MEMS Devices & Fabrication In-Situ Mechanical Testing Nanoindentation Experimental Analysis of Low-Dimensional Materials for Nanotechnology

Huge earthquakes and tsunamis have caused serious damage to important structures such as civil infrastructure elements, buildings and power plants around the globe. To quantitatively evaluate such damage processes and to design effective prevention and mitigation measures, the latest high-performance computational mechanics technologies, which include telascale to petascale computers, can offer powerful tools. The phenomena covered in this book include seismic wave propagation in the crust and soil, seismic response of infrastructure elements such as tunnels considering soil-structure interactions, seismic response of high-rise buildings, seismic response of nuclear power plants, tsunami run-up over coastal towns and tsunami inundation considering fluid-structure interactions. The book provides all necessary information for addressing these phenomena, ranging from the fundamentals of high-performance computing for finite element methods, key algorithms of accurate dynamic structural analysis, fluid flows with free surfaces, and fluid-structure interactions, to practical applications with detailed simulation results. The book will offer essential insights for researchers and engineers working in the field of computational seismic/tsunami engineering.

This book reviews the theoretical framework of nonlinear mechanics, covering computational methods, applications, parametric investigations of nonlinear phenomena and mechanical interpretation towards design. Builds skills via increasing levels of complexity.

Preface; List of Contributors; A. COMPOSITE MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES: Mechanical and Failure Behavior: Accelerated Testing for Long-Term Durability of Various FRP Laminates for Marine Use, by Y. Miyano and M. Nakada; 2. Carbon Fiber - Vinyl Ester Interfacial Adhesion Improvement by the Use of an Epoxy Coating, by F. Vautard, L. Xu and LT. Drzal; 3. A Physically Based Cumulative Damage Formalism, by R. M. Christensen; 4. Delamination of Composite Cylinders, by P. Davies and L. A. Carlsson; Dynamic Effects: Fiber-Reinforced Composites, by R. C. Batra and N.M. Hassan; 2. Post-Impact Fatigue Behavior of Woven and Knitted Fabric CFRP Laminates for Marine Use, by I. Kimpara and H. Saito; 3. Dynamic Interaction of Multiple Damage Mechanisms in Composite Structures, by R. Massabo; 4. State-of-the-Art in Impulsive Loading of Marine Composites, by M. Porfiri and N. Gupta; B: SANDWICH MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES: Mechanical and Failure Behavior: Failure Modes of Composite Sandwich Beams, by I.M. Daniel and E.E. Gdoutos; 2. Localised Effects in Sandwich Structures with Internal Core Junctions: Modelling and Experimental Characterisation of Load Response, Failure and Fatigue, by M. Johannes and O. T. Thomsen; 3. Damage Tolerance of Naval Sandwich Panels, by D. Zenkert; 4. Size Effect on Fracture of Composite and Sandwich Structures, by E. E. Gdoutos and Z. P. Bazant; 5. Elasticity Solutions for the Buckling of Thick Composite and Sandwich Cylindrical Shells under External Pressure, by G. Kardomateas; 6. An Improved Methodology for Measuring the Interfacial Toughness of Sandwich Beams, by Q. Bing and B. D. Davidson; 7. Structural Performance of Eco-Core Sandwich Panels, by K. Shivakumar and H. Chen; 8. The Use of Neural Networks to Detect Damage in Sandwich Composites, by D. Serrano, F. A. Just-Agosto, B. Shafiq and A. Cecchini; 8. On the Mechanical Behavior of Advanced Composite Material Structures, by J. Vinson; 10. Application of Acoustic Emission Technology to theCharacterization and Damage Monitoring of Advanced Composites, by E. O. Ayorinde; Dynamic Effects: Ballistic Impacts on Composite and Sandwich Structures, by S. Abrate; 2. Performance of Novel Composites and Sandwich Structures under Blast Loading, by A. Shukla, S. A. Tekalur, N. Gardner, M. Jackson and E. Wang; 3. Single and Multisite Impact Response of S2-Glass/Epoxy Balsa Wood Core Sandwich Composites, by L.J. Deka and U. K. Vaidya; 4. Real-time Experimental Investigation on Dynamic Failure of Sandwich Structures and Layered Materials, by L. R. Xu and A.J. Rosakis; 5. Characterization of Fatigue Behavior of Composite Sandwich Structures at Sub-zero Temperatures, by S. M. Soni, R. F. Gibson and E.O. Ayorinde; 6. Impact and Blast Resistance of Sandwich Plates, by G. J. Dvorak, Y. A. Bahei-El-Din and A. P. Suvorov; 7. Modeling Blast and High Velocity Impact of Composite Sandwich Panels, by M. S Hoo Fatt, L. Palla and D. Sirivolu; C. CONSTITUENT MATERIALS: 1. Effect of Nanoparticle Dispersion on Polymer Matrix and their Fiber Nanocomposites, by M.F. Uddin and C.T. Sun; 2. Experimental and Analytical Analysis of Mechanical Response and Deformation Mode Selection in Balsa Wood, by M. Vural and G. Ravichandran; 3. Mechanics of PAN Nanofibers, by I. Chasiotis and M. Naraghi; 4. Characterization of Deformation and Failure Modes of Ordinary and Auxetic Foams at Different Length Scales, by Fu-pen Chiang; 5. Fracture of Brittle Lattice Materials: A Review, by I. Quintana-Alonso and N. A. Fleck; Author Index.

On the roots of continuum mechanics in differential geometry -- a review.- Cosserat media.- Cosserat-type shells.- Cosserat-type rods.- Micromorphic media.- Electromagnetism and generalized continua.- Computational methods for generalized continua. The need of generalized continua models is coming from practice. Complex material behavior sometimes cannot be presented by the classical Cauchy continua. At present the attention of the scientists in this field is focused on the most recent research items * new models, * application of well-known models to new problems, * micro-macro aspects, * computational effort, and * possibilities to identify the constitutive equations The new research directions are discussed in this volume - from the point of view of modeling and simulation, identification, and numerical methods.

The mathematical description of the properties of a shell is much more elaborate than those of beam and plate structures. Therefore many engineers and architects are unacquainted with aspects of shell behaviour and design, and are not familiar with sufficiently reliable shell theories for the different shell types as derived in the middle of the 20th century. Rather than contributing to theory development, this university textbook focuses on architectural and civil engineering schools. Of course, practising professionals will profit from it as well. The book deals with thin elastic shells, in particular with cylindrical, conical and spherical types, and with elliptic and hyperbolic paraboloids. The focus is on roofs, chimneys, pressure vessels and storage tanks. Special attention is paid to edge bending disturbance zones, which is indispensable knowledge in FE meshing. A substantial part of the book results from research efforts in the mid 20th century at Delft University of Technology. As such, it is a valuable addition to the body of shell research literature of continuing importance. This work can be used for university courses. It also shows professionals how to perform manual calculations of the main force flow in shell structures, and provides guidance for structural engineers estimating stresses and deformations.

This book is dedicated to the tube flow of viscoelastic fluids and Newtonian single and multi-phase particle-laden fluids. This succinct volume collects the most recent analytical developments and experimental findings, in particular in predicting the secondary field, highlighting the historical developments which led to the progress made. This book brings a fresh and unique perspective and covers and interprets efforts to model laminar flow of viscoelastic fluids in tubes and laminar and turbulent flow of single and multi-phase particle-laden flow of linear fluids in the light of the latest findings.

Topics in Dynamics of Bridges, Volume 3: Proceedings of the 31st IMAC, A Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics, 2013, the third volume of seven from the Conference, brings together contributions to this important area of research and engineering. The collection presents early findings and case studies on fundamental and applied aspects of Structural Dynamics, including papers on: Vibration Monitoring Damping Damage Detection Health Monitoring Dynamic Behavior Dynamic Modeling Human-Induced Vibration