This book presents a selection of the best papers from the HEaRT 2015 conference, held in Lisbon, Portugal, which provided a valuable forum for engineers and architects, researchers and educators to exchange views and findings concerning the technological history, construction features and seismic behavior of historical timber-framed walls in the Mediterranean countries. The topics covered are wide ranging and include historical aspects and examples of the use of timber-framed construction systems in response to earthquakes, such as the gaiola system in Portugal and the Bourbon system in southern Italy; interpretation of the response of timber-framed walls to seismic actions based on calculations and experimental tests; assessment of the effectiveness of repair and strengthening techniques, e.g., using aramid fiber wires or sheets; and modelling analyses. In addition, on the basis of case studies, a methodology is presented that is applicable to diagnosis, strengthening and improvement of seismic performance and is compatible with modern theoretical principles and conservation criteria. It is hoped that, by contributing to the knowledge of this construction technique, the book will help to promote conservation of this important component of Europe's architectural heritage.

This book analyzes several compliant contact force models within the context of multibody dynamics, while also revisiting the main issues associated with fundamental contact mechanics. In particular, it presents various contact force models, from linear to nonlinear, from purely elastic to dissipative, and describes their parameters. Addressing the different numerical methods and algorithms for contact problems in multibody systems, the book describes the gross motion of multibody systems by using a two-dimensional formulation based on the absolute coordinates and employs different contact models to represent contact-impact events. Results for selected planar multibody mechanical systems are presented and utilized to discuss the main assumptions and procedures adopted throughout this work. The material provided here indicates that the prediction of the dynamic behavior of mechanical systems involving contact-impact strongly depends on the choice of contact force model. In short, the book provides a comprehensive resource for the multibody dynamics community and beyond on modeling contact forces and the dynamics of mechanical systems undergoing contact-impact events.

For upper-level undergraduate students, and first-year graduate students in materials science, metallurgy, electrical engineering, and applied physics.;This Third Edition is the result of a thorough re-examination of the entire text, incorporating suggestions and corrections by students and professors who have used the text. Explanations and descriptions have been expanded, and additional information has beeen added on high Tc, superconductors, diamond films, "buckminsterfullerene", and thin magnetic materials. Adopted by more than 20 colleges and universities, this text has proven to be a solid introduction to the electrical, optical, and magnetic properties of materials.;It contains comprehensive coverage of electronic properties in metals, semiconductors, and insulators at a fundamental level; stresses the use of wave properties as an integrating theme for the discussion of phonons, photons, and electrons; includes a complete set of illustrative problems along with exercises and answers; and features a careful indication of both Gaussian and SI unit systems.

This book explains in detail the generalized Fourier series technique for the approximate solution of a mathematical model governed by a linear elliptic partial differential equation or system with constant coefficients. The power, sophistication, and adaptability of the method are illustrated in application to the theory of plates with transverse shear deformation, chosen because of its complexity and special features. In a clear and accessible style, the authors show how the building blocks of the method are developed, and comment on the advantages of this procedure over other numerical approaches. An extensive discussion of the computational algorithms is presented, which encompasses their structure, operation, and accuracy in relation to several appropriately selected examples of classical boundary value problems in both finite and infinite domains. The systematic description of the technique, complemented by explanations of the use of the underlying software, will help the readers create their own codes to find approximate solutions to other similar models. The work is aimed at a diverse readership, including advanced undergraduates, graduate students, general scientific researchers, and engineers. The book strikes a good balance between the theoretical results and the use of appropriate numerical applications. The first chapter gives a detailed presentation of the differential equations of the mathematical model, and of the associated boundary value problems with Dirichlet, Neumann, and Robin conditions. The second chapter presents the fundamentals of generalized Fourier series, and some appropriate techniques for orthonormalizing a complete set of functions in a Hilbert space. Each of the remaining six chapters deals with one of the combinations of domain-type (interior or exterior) and nature of the prescribed conditions on the boundary. The appendices are designed to give insight into some of the computational issues that arise from the use of the numerical methods described in the book. Readers may also want to reference the authors' other books Mathematical Methods for Elastic Plates, ISBN: 978-1-4471-6433-3 and Boundary Integral Equation Methods and Numerical Solutions: Thin Plates on an Elastic Foundation, ISBN: 978-3-319-26307-6.

This book offers the first comprehensive and practice-oriented guide to condition monitoring algorithms in MATLAB (R). After a concise introduction to vibration theory and signal processing techniques, the attention is moved to the algorithms. Each signal processing algorithm is presented in depth, from the theory to the application, and including extensive explanations on how to use the corresponding toolbox in MATLAB (R). In turn, the book introduces various techniques for synthetic signals generation, as well as vibration-based analysis techniques for large data sets. A practical guide on how to directly access data from industrial condition monitoring systems (CMS) using MATLAB (R) .NET Libraries is also included. Bridging between research and practice, this book offers an extensive guide on condition monitoring algorithms to both scholars and professionals. "Condition Monitoring Algorithms in MATLAB (R) is a great resource for anyone in the field of condition monitoring. It is a unique as it presents the theory, and a number of examples in Matlab (R), which greatly improve the learning experience. It offers numerous examples of coding styles in Matlab, thus supporting graduate students and professionals writing their own codes." Dr. Eric Bechhoefer Founder and CEO of GPMS Developer of the Foresight MX Health and Usage Monitoring System

The authors examine in detail the fundamentals and mathematical descriptions of the dynamics of automobiles. In this context, different levels of complexity are presented, starting with basic single-track models up to complex three-dimensional multi-body models. A particular focus is on the process of establishing mathematical models based on real cars and the validation of simulation results. The methods presented are explained in detail by means of selected application scenarios. In addition to some corrections, further application examples for standard driving maneuvers have been added for the present second edition. To take account of the increased use of driving simulators, both in research, and in industrial applications, a new section on the conception, implementation and application of driving simulators has been added.

IFToMM conferences have a history of success due to the various advances achieved in the field of rotor dynamics over the past three decades. These meetings have since become a leading global event, bringing together specialists from industry and academia to promote the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and information on the latest developments in the dynamics of rotating machinery. The scope of the conference is broad, including e.g. active components and vibration control, balancing, bearings, condition monitoring, dynamic analysis and stability, wind turbines and generators, electromechanical interactions in rotor dynamics and turbochargers. The proceedings are divided into four volumes. This fourth volume covers the following main topics: aero-engines; turbochargers; eolian (wind) generators; automotive rotating systems; and hydro power plants.

This volume contains the best papers presented at the 2nd ECCOMAS International Conference on Multiscale Computations for Solids and Fluids, held June 10-12, 2015. Topics dealt with include multiscale strategy for efficient development of scientific software for large-scale computations, coupled probability-nonlinear-mechanics problems and solution methods, and modern mathematical and computational setting for multi-phase flows and fluid-structure interaction. The papers consist of contributions by six experts who taught short courses prior to the conference, along with several selected articles from other participants dealing with complementary issues, covering both solid mechanics and applied mathematics.

An ideal text for students that ties together classical and modern topics of advanced vibration analysis in an interesting and lucid manner. It provides students with a background in elementary vibrations with the tools necessary for understanding and analyzing more complex dynamical phenomena that can be encountered in engineering and scientific practice. It progresses steadily from linear vibration theory over various levels of nonlinearity to bifurcation analysis, global dynamics and chaotic vibrations. It trains the student to analyze simple models, recognize nonlinear phenomena and work with advanced tools such as perturbation analysis and bifurcation analysis. Explaining theory in terms of relevant examples from real systems, this book is user-friendly and meets the increasing interest in non-linear dynamics in mechanical/structural engineering and applied mathematics and physics. This edition includes a new chapter on the useful effects of fast vibrations and many new exercise problems.

This book provides an overview of the experimental characterization of materials and their numerical modeling, as well as the development of new computational methods for virtual design. Its 17 contributions are divided into four main sections: experiments and virtual design, composites, fractures and fatigue, and uncertainty quantification. The first section explores new experimental methods that can be used to more accurately characterize material behavior. Furthermore, it presents a combined experimental and numerical approach to optimizing the properties of a structure, as well as new developments in the field of computational methods for virtual design. In turn, the second section is dedicated to experimental and numerical investigations of composites, with a special focus on the modeling of failure modes and the optimization of these materials. Since fatigue also includes wear due to frictional contact and aging of elastomers, new numerical schemes in the field of crack modeling and fatigue prediction are also discussed. The input parameters of a classical numerical simulation represent mean values of actual observations, though certain deviations arise: to illustrate the uncertainties of parameters used in calculations, the book's final section presents new and efficient approaches to uncertainty quantification.

This book presents a differential geometric method for designing nonlinear observers for multiple types of nonlinear systems, including single and multiple outputs, fully and partially observable systems, and regular and singular dynamical systems. It is an exposition of achievements in nonlinear observer normal forms. The book begins by discussing linear systems, introducing the concept of observability and observer design, and then explains the difficulty of those problems for nonlinear systems. After providing foundational information on the differential geometric method, the text shows how to use the method to address observer design problems. It presents methods for a variety of systems. The authors employ worked examples to illustrate the ideas presented. Observer Design for Nonlinear Dynamical Systems will be of interest to researchers, graduate students, and industrial professionals working with control of mechanical and dynamical systems.

Material processing techniques that employ severe plastic deformation have evolved over the past decade, producing metals, alloys and composites having extraordinary properties. Variants of SPD methods are now capable of creating monolithic materials with submicron and nanocrystalline grain sizes. The resulting novel properties of these materials has led to a growing scientific and commercial interest in them. They offer the promise of bulk nanocrystalline materials for structural applications, including nanocomposites of lightweight alloys with unprecedented strength. These materials may also enable the use of alternative metal shaping processes, such as high strain rate superplastic forming. Prospective applications for medical, automotive, aerospace and other industries are already under development.

IFToMM conferences have a history of success due to the various advances achieved in the field of rotor dynamics over the past three decades. These meetings have since become a leading global event, bringing together specialists from industry and academia to promote the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and information on the latest developments in the dynamics of rotating machinery. The scope of the conference is broad, including e.g. active components and vibration control, balancing, bearings, condition monitoring, dynamic analysis and stability, wind turbines and generators, electromechanical interactions in rotor dynamics and turbochargers. The proceedings are divided into four volumes. This third volume covers the following main topics: dynamic analysis and stability; electromechanical interactions in rotordynamics; nonlinear phenomena in rotordynamics; rotordynamics of micro, nano and cryogenic machines; and fluid structure interactions in rotordynamics.

This book offers valuable insights and provides effective tools useful for imagining, creating, and promoting novel and challenging developments in structural mechanics. It addresses a wide range of topics, such as mechanics and geotechnics, vibration and damping, damage and friction, experimental methods, and advanced structural materials. It also discusses analytical, experimental and numerical findings, focusing on theoretical and practical issues and innovations in the field. Collecting some of the latest results from the Lagrange Laboratory, a European scientific research group, mainly consisting of Italian and French engineers, mechanicians and mathematicians, the book presents the most recent example of the long-term scientific cooperation between well-established French and Italian Mechanics, Mathematics and Engineering Schools. It is a valuable resource for postgraduate students, researchers and practitioners dealing with theoretical and practical issues in structural engineering.

This book presents a class of novel, self-learning, optimal control schemes based on adaptive dynamic programming techniques, which quantitatively obtain the optimal control schemes of the systems. It analyzes the properties identified by the programming methods, including the convergence of the iterative value functions and the stability of the system under iterative control laws, helping to guarantee the effectiveness of the methods developed. When the system model is known, self-learning optimal control is designed on the basis of the system model; when the system model is not known, adaptive dynamic programming is implemented according to the system data, effectively making the performance of the system converge to the optimum. With various real-world examples to complement and substantiate the mathematical analysis, the book is a valuable guide for engineers, researchers, and students in control science and engineering.

This book describes the development of a new analytical, full-vehicle model with nine degrees of freedom, which uses the new modified skyhook strategy (SKDT) to control the full-vehicle vibration problem. The book addresses the incorporation of road bank angle to create a zero steady-state torque requirement when designing the direct tilt control and the dynamic model of the full car model. It also highlights the potential of the SKDT suspension system to improve cornering performance and paves the way for future work on the vehicle's integrated chassis control system. Active tilting technology to improve vehicle cornering is the focus of numerous ongoing research projects, but these don't consider the effect of road bank angle in the control system design or in the dynamic model of the tilting standard passenger vehicles. The non-incorporation of road bank angle creates a non-zero steady state torque requirement.

This volume comprises the latest developments in both fundamental science and patient-specific applications, discussing topics such as: cellular mechanics; injury biomechanics; biomechanics of heart and vascular system; medical image analysis; and both patient-specific fluid dynamics and solid mechanics simulations. With contributions from researchers world-wide, the Computational Biomechanics for Medicine series of titles provides an opportunity for specialists in computational biomechanics to present their latest methodologies and advancements.

This book presents the relationships between tensile damage and fracture, fatigue hysteresis loops, stress-rupture, fatigue life and fatigue limit stress, and stochastic loading stress. Ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) possess low material density (i.e., only 1/4 - 1/3 of high-temperature alloy) and high-temperature resistance, which can reduce cooling air and improve structure efficiency. Understanding the failure mechanisms and internal damage evolution represents an important step to ensure reliability and safety of CMCs. This book investigates damage and fracture of fiber-reinforced ceramic-matrix composites (CMCs) subjected to stochastic loading, including: (1) tensile damage and fracture of fiber-reinforced CMCs subjected to stochastic loading; (2) fatigue hysteresis loops of fiber-reinforced CMCs subjected to stochastic loading; (3) stress rupture of fiber-reinforced CMCs with stochastic loading at intermediate temperature; (4) fatigue life prediction of fiber-reinforced CMCs subjected to stochastic overloading stress at elevated temperature; and (5) fatigue limit stress prediction of fiber-reinforced CMCs with stochastic loading. This book helps the material scientists and engineering designers to understand and master the damage and fracture of ceramic-matrix composites under stochastic loading.

This application-oriented book introduces readers to the associations and relationships between contact mechanics and friction, providing them with a deeper understanding of tribology. It addresses the related phenomena of contacts, adhesion, capillary forces, friction, lubrication, and wear from a consistent point of view. The author presents (1) methods for rough estimates of tribological quantities, (2) simple and general methods for analytical calculations, and (3) the crossover into numerical simulation methods, the goal being to convey a consistent view of tribological processes at various scales of magnitude (from nanotribology to earthquake research). The book also explores the system dynamic aspects of tribological systems, such as squeal and its suppression, as well as other types of instabilities and spatial patterns. It includes problems and worked-out solutions for the respective chapters, giving readers ample opportunity to apply the theory to practical situations and to deepen their understanding of the material discussed. The second edition has been extended with a more detailed exposition of elastohydrodynamic lubrication, an updated chapter on numerical simulation methods in contact mechanics, a new section on fretting in the chapter on wear, as well as numerous new exercises and examples, which help to make the book an excellent reference guide.

IFToMM conferences have a history of success due to the various advances achieved in the field of rotor dynamics over the past three decades. These meetings have since become a leading global event, bringing together specialists from industry and academia to promote the exchange of knowledge, ideas, and information on the latest developments in the dynamics of rotating machinery. The scope of the conference is broad, including e.g. active components and vibration control, balancing, bearings, condition monitoring, dynamic analysis and stability, wind turbines and generators, electromechanical interactions in rotor dynamics and turbochargers. The proceedings are divided into four volumes. This second volume covers the following main topics: condition monitoring, fault diagnostics and prognostics; modal testing and identification; parametric and self-excitation in rotor dynamics; uncertainties, reliability and life predictions of rotating machinery; and torsional vibrations and geared systems dynamics.

This book summarizes the basic theory of wavelets and some related algorithms in an easy-to-understand language from the perspective of an engineer rather than a mathematician. In this book, the wavelet solution schemes are systematically established and introduced for solving general linear and nonlinear initial boundary value problems in engineering, including the technique of boundary extension in approximating interval-bounded functions, the calculation method for various connection coefficients, the single-point Gaussian integration method in calculating the coefficients of wavelet expansions and unique treatments on nonlinear terms in differential equations. At the same time, this book is supplemented by a large number of numerical examples to specifically explain procedures and characteristics of the method, as well as detailed treatments for specific problems. Different from most of the current monographs focusing on the basic theory of wavelets, it focuses on the use of wavelet-based numerical methods developed by the author over the years. Even for the necessary basic theory of wavelet in engineering applications, this book is based on the author's own understanding in plain language, instead of a relatively difficult professional mathematical description. This book is very suitable for students, researchers and technical personnel who only want to need the minimal knowledge of wavelet method to solve specific problems in engineering.

This book presents the most recent advances in the research of machines and mechanisms. It collects 54 reviewed papers presented at the XII International Conference on the Theory of Machines and mechanisms (TMM 2016) held in Liberec, Czech Republic, September 6-8, 2016. This volume offers an international selection of the most important new results and developments, grouped in six different parts, representing a well-balanced overview, and spanning the general theory of machines and mechanisms, through analysis and synthesis of planar and spatial mechanisms, linkages and cams, robots and manipulators, dynamics of machines and mechanisms, rotor dynamics, computational mechanics, vibration and noise in machines, optimization of mechanisms and machines, mechanisms of textile machines, mechatronics to the control and monitoring systems of machines. This conference is traditionally organised every four year under the auspices of the international organisation IFToMM and the Czech Society for Mechanics.

This book presents a unified approach to fracture behavior of natural and synthetic fiber-reinforced polymer composites on the basis of fiber orientation, the addition of fillers, characterization, properties and applications. In addition, the book contains an extensive survey of recent improvements in the research and development of fracture analysis of FRP composites that are used to make higher fracture toughness composites in various applications.The FRP composites are an emerging area in polymer science with many structural applications. The rise in materials failure by fracture has forced scientists and researchers to develop new higher strength materials for obtaining higher fracture toughness. Therefore, further knowledge and insight into the different modes of fracture behavior of FRP composites are critical to expanding the range of their application.

The 3rd edition of this popular textbook covers current topics in all areas of casting solidification. Partial differential equations and numerical analysis are used extensively throughout the text, with numerous calculation examples, to help the reader in achieving a working knowledge of computational solidification modeling. The features of this new edition include: * new chapters on semi-solid and metal matrix composites solidification * a significantly extended treatment of multiscale modeling of solidification and its applications to commercial alloys * a survey of new topics such as solidification of multicomponent alloys and molecular dynamic modeling * new theories, including a theory on oxide bi-films in the treatment of shrinkage problems * an in-depth treatment of the theoretical aspects of the solidification of the most important commercial alloys including steel, cast iron, aluminum-silicon eutectics, and superalloys * updated tables of material constants.

This thesis develops several systematic and unified approaches for analyzing dynamic systems with positive characteristics or a more general cone invariance property. Based on these analysis results, it uses linear programming tools to address static output feedback synthesis problems with a focus on optimal gain performances. Owing to their low computational complexity, the established controller design algorithms are applicable for large-scale systems. The theory and control strategies developed will not only be useful in handling large-scale positive delay systems with improved solvability and at lower cost, but also further our understanding of the system characteristics in other related areas, such as distributed coordination of networked multi-agent systems, formation control of multiple robots.