Occupancy Estimation and Modeling is the first book to examine the latest methods in analyzing presence/absence data surveys. Using four classes of models (single-species, single-season; single-species, multiple season; multiple-species, single-season; and multiple-species, multiple-season), the authors discuss the practical sampling situation, present a likelihood-based model enabling direct estimation of the occupancy-related parameters while allowing for imperfect detectability, and make recommendations for designing studies using these models.
* Provides authoritative insights into the latest in estimation modeling
* Discusses multiple models which lay the groundwork for future study designs
* Addresses critical issues of imperfect detectibility and its effects on estimation
* Explores the role of probability in estimating in detail

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

Solid design and craftsmanship are a necessity for structures and infrastructures that must stand up to natural disasters on a regular basis. Continuous research developments in the engineering field are imperative for sustaining buildings against the threat of earthquakes and other natural disasters. Recent Challenges and Advances in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering provides innovative insights into the methods of structural engineering techniques, as well as disaster management strategies. The content within this publication represents the work of rock fracturing, hazard analysis, and seismic acceleration. It is a vital reference source for civil engineers, researchers, and academicians, and covers topics centered on improving a structure's safety, stability, and resistance to seismic hazards.

Blast Mitigation: Experimental and Numerical Studies covers both experimental and numerical aspects of material and structural response to dynamic blast loads and its mitigation. The authors present the most up-to-date understanding from laboratory studies and computational analysis for researchers working in the field of blast loadings and their effect on material and structural failure, develop designs for lighter and highly efficient structural members for blast energy absorption, discuss vulnerability of underground structures, present methods for dampening blast overpressures, discuss structural post blast collapse and give attention to underwater explosion and implosion effects on submerged infrastructure and mitigation measures for this environment.

Handbook of Energy Efficiency in Buildings: A Life Cycle Approach offers a comprehensive and in-depth coverage of the subject with a further focus on the Life Cycle. The editors, renowned academics, invited a diverse group of researchers to develop original chapters for the book and managed to well integrate all contributions in a consistent volume. Sections cover the role of the building sector on energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, international technical standards, laws and regulations, building energy efficiency and zero energy consumption buildings, the life cycle assessment of buildings, from construction to decommissioning, and other timely topics. The multidisciplinary approach to the subject makes it valuable for researchers and industry based Civil, Construction, and Architectural Engineers. Researchers in related fields as built environment, energy and sustainability at an urban scale will also benefit from the books integrated perspective.

This book discusses how to identify the level of adhesion in layered systems made of cement composites using a multi-scale approach based on experimental and numerical analyses. In particular, it explains 1. The suitability of previously used artificial intelligence tools and learning algorithms for reliable assessment of the level of adhesion of layered systems made of cement composites based on non-destructive tests 2. The development of the methodology for a reliable non-destructive evaluation of the level of adhesion in newly constructed layered systems of any overlay thickness and in existing layered systems made of cement composites 3. How to determine whether to assess the level of adhesion of the layered systems, and discusses the amplitude parameters, spatial, hybrid and volume parameters describing the morphology of the concrete substrate surface in the mesoscale 4. How to ascertain whether the effective surface area of the existing concrete substrate and the contribution of the exposed aggregate on this substrate, determined in mesoscale, have an impact on the level of adhesion of layered systems made of cement composites 5. The assessment of the structure of air pores in the microscale and the chemical composition of the cement composite on the nanoscale in the interphase zone together with the determination of their impact on the level of adhesion of layered systems made of cement composites 6. The development of an effective methodology for testing the level of adhesion of layered systems made of cement composites in a multi-scale approach, including the research methods and descriptors used.

This book presents simplified analytical methodologies for static and dynamic problems concerning various elastic thin plates in the bending state and the potential effects of dead loads on static and dynamic behaviors. The plates considered vary in terms of the plane (e.g. rectangular or circular plane), stiffness of bending, transverse shear and mass. The representative examples include void slabs, plates stiffened with beams, stepped thickness plates, cellular plates and floating plates, in addition to normal plates. The closed-form approximate solutions are presented in connection with a groundbreaking methodology that can easily accommodate discontinuous variations in stiffness and mass with continuous function as for a distribution. The closed-form solutions can be used to determine the size of structural members in the preliminary design stages, and to predict potential problems with building slabs intended for human beings' practical use.

A unique, practical guide to watercourse law

This comprehensive guide offers complete, readable explanations of the legal issues and evidence procedures related to the location of the property boundaries of lands adjacent to watercourses.

Beginning with a clear examination of the basics of land title and the legal principles defining property boundary movement, it discusses property boundary determination for a broad range of different watercourse environments–including open ocean coast, estuarine areas, tidal rivers, non-tidal rivers and navigable streams, and navigable lakes. This book will equip readers with:

• A basic understanding of the land title and boundary system
• A framework for analyzing disputes about the boundary of property adjacent to a waterbody tailored to the specifics of each type of physical regime
• Insight to recognize when expert consultation is required to resolve a dispute and how to make the consultation useful and productive
• Case studies illustrating the actual application of the laws discussed

Because of its extensive information and easy-to-use format, Water Boundaries is the ideal resource for surveyors and lawyers confronted with riparian or littoral property boundary issues.

Advanced Mechanics of Composite Materials and Structures analyzes contemporary theoretical models at the micro- and macro levels of material structure. Its coverage of practical methods and approaches, experimental results, and optimization of composite material properties and structural component performance can be put to practical use by researchers and engineers. The fourth edition has been updated to reflect new manufacturing processes (such as 3D printing of two matrix composite structural elements) and new theories developed by the authors. The authors have expanded the content of advanced topic areas with new chapters on axisymmetric deformation of composite shells of revolution, composite pressure vessels, and anisogrid composite lattice structures. This revision includes enhanced sections on optimal design of laminated plates and additional examples of the finite element modelling of composite structures and numerical methods. Advanced Mechanics of Composite Materials and Structures, Fourth edition is unique in that it addresses a wide range of advanced problems in the mechanics of composite materials, such as the physical statistical aspects of fiber strength, stress diffusion in composites with damaged fibers, nonlinear elasticity, and composite pressure vessels to name a few. It also provides the foundation for traditional basic composite material mechanics, making it one of the most comprehensive references on this topic.

Optimal Design and Retrofit of Energy Efficient Buildings, Communities, and Urban Centers presents current techniques and technologies for energy efficiency in buildings. Cases introduce and demonstrate applications in both the design of new buildings and retrofit of existing structures. The book begins with an introduction that includes energy consumption statistics, building energy efficiency codes, and standards and labels from around the world. It then highlights the need for integrated and comprehensive energy analysis approaches. Subsequent sections present an overview of advanced energy efficiency technologies for buildings, including dynamic insulation materials, phase change materials, LED lighting and daylight controls, Life Cycle Analysis, and more. This book provides researchers and professionals with a coherent set of tools and techniques for enhancing energy efficiency in new and existing buildings. The case studies presented help practitioners implement the techniques and technologies in their own projects.

This book focuses on the qualitative theory in structural mechanics, an area that remains underdeveloped. The qualitative theory mainly deals with the static deformation and vibrational modes of linear elastic structures, and cover subjects such as qualitative properties and the existence of solutions. Qualitative properties belong to one type of structure, are at the system level and of clear regularity, and often result from analytical derivation and logical reasoning. As for the existence of solutions, it addresses a fundamental issue in structural mechanics, and has far-reaching implications for engineering applications. A better understanding of qualitative properties can assist in both numerical computation and experimental studies. It also promotes the development of better dynamic designs for structures. At the same time, a sound grasp of the existence of solutions and related subjects can aid in quantitative analysis, and help researchers establish the theoretical background essential to their work. This book is among the few that is dedicated exclusively to the qualitative theory in structural mechanics and systematically introduces the important and challenging area to a wide audience, including graduate students in engineering.

This book gathers 23 papers by top experts from 11 countries, presented at the 3rd Houston International Forum: Concrete Structures in Earthquake. Designing infrastructures to resist earthquakes has always been the focus and mission of scientists and engineers located in tectonically active regions, especially around the "Pacific Rim of Fire" including China, Japan, and the USA. The pace of research and innovation has accelerated in the past three decades, reflecting the need to mitigate the risk of severe damage to interconnected infrastructures, and to facilitate the incorporation of high-speed computers and the internet. The respective papers focus on the design and analysis of concrete structures subjected to earthquakes, advance the state of knowledge in disaster mitigation, and address the safety of infrastructures in general.

Corrosion and its Consequences for Reinforced Concrete Structures serves as an indispensable guide for engineers, scientists and researchers, exploring the fundamental aspects of corrosion in reinforced concrete. Its originality lies in the coupling between the reinforcement corrosion of reinforced concrete and its mechanical behavior.The authors describe the specific theoretical foundations of the corrosion of steel in concrete and its interactions with the structural aspects, including service cracking and defects in the placement of concrete. The book contains a study of the mechanisms of degradation of the mechanical behavior of reinforcements and the reinforced concrete composite, such as reduction of ductility, bearing capacity, redistribution of efforts by formation of plastic hinges and increase in the beam deflection in service. A diagnostic method based on corrosion-induced crack detection is presented in the book, and then paired with a recalculation method which allows us to predict the different aspects of the residual mechanical behavior. Several end-of-life ELS and ELU criteria are described, and the authors propose an approach to estimate the residual lifetime. Finally, the book presents the cathodic protection that allows the progression of corrosion to be contained within the corroded structures. As well as academics, this book is aimed at civil engineers who are faced with the issue of corrosion in aging structures.