A quarter of the century has elapsed since I gave my first course in structural reliability to graduate students at the University of Waterloo in Canada. Since that time on I have given many courses and seminars to students, researchers, designers, and site engineers interested in reliability. I also participated in and was responsible for numerous projects where reliability solutions were required. During that period, the scope of structural reliability gradually enlarged to become a substantial part of the general reliability theory. First, it is apparent that bearing structures should not be isolated objectives of interest, and, consequently, that constntCted facilities should be studied. Second, a new engineering branch has emerged -reliability engineering. These two facts have highlighted new aspects and asked for new approaches to the theory and applications. I always state in my lectures that the reliability theory is nothing more than mathematized engineering judgment. In fact, thanks mainly to probability and statistics, and also to computers, the empirical knowledge gained by Humankind's construction experience could have been transposed into a pattern of logic thinking, able to produce conclusions and to forecast the behavior of engineering entities. This manner of thinking has developed into an intricate network linked by certain rules, which, in a way, can be considered a type of reliability grammar. We can discern many grammatical concepts in the general structure of the reliability theory.

Bamboo materials are well available in the world. Bamboo has much shorter maturity than trees, thus can be harvested with shorter cycles of plantation. Despite the fact that human society has a long history of using bamboo, there is still a lack of modern and industrialized application of bamboo materials in construction. Promoting the application of bamboo in construction could provide a potential solution to the sustainable, green and environment-friendly development of construction industry.

Modern Bamboo Structures is the first of its kind covering the applications of bamboo materials in modern structures. These proceedings of the First International Conference on Modern Bamboo Structures (ICBS-2007, Changsha, China, 28-30 October 2007) include the state-of-the-art on materials, design, analysis, testing, manufacturing, construction of modern bamboo structures. Modern Bamboo Structures will be essential for researchers, engineers and administrators involved in structural engineering, civil engineering, agriculture engineering, forestry, environmental engineering and urban development.

To obtain data about the stiffness and bearing capacity of a foundation pile, the Rapid Load Test could be an effective and economic alternative for a static load test. In order to judge this, the influence of rate effects in clay and pore water pressures in sand should first be understood. This book presents the latest developments in the research that is carried out to unravel these effects. It contains current contributions by world wide leading academics. Moreover the editors summarize the empirical field data and discuss advanced centrifuge modeling. This indispensable information source on the progress in Rapid Load Testing is intended for researchers and professionals working on the load testing of foundation piles.

This book provides the critical knowledge and technological bases required for meeting one of the ultimate engineering challenges: the design and construction of smart structures and systems. Research in smart materials and structures seeks to apply multifunctional capabilities of new and existing materials to develop structures and systems that are capable of self-sensing and monitoring, self-diagnosis and prognosis with intelligence, self-healing and repair, and adaptive response to prevent loss of human life and catastrophe, to minimize maintenance and life-cycle costs, and to prolong service life. The papers contained herein, representing the state-of-the-art in the field, were presented at the World Forum on Smart Materials and Smart Structures Technology (SMSS) held in Chongqing and Nanjing, China on May 22-27, 2007.

Natural soft soils are very complex materials. As construction activities increasingly take place in poor ground conditions, ground improvement is often required. However, design practices for ground improvement were for long at best crude and conservative, and at worst unsafe. Although new construction and field observation techniques have been developed to ensure that geotechnical structures such as embankments, tunnels and deep excavations can be built safely under these difficult conditions, design is still predominantly based on empirical rules and simplifying assumptions.

Since 2000 increased computer power has made systematic numerical studies utilising the 3D finite element method more and more possible. This enabled the investigation of complex soil-structure interaction mechanisms associated with ground improvement problems. The EC-funded Research Training Network Soft Clay Modelling for Engineering Practice (SCMEP), was set up to develop improved constitutive and numerical models to assist in geotechnical design on soft clays, and made significant advances in theory backed up with substantial experimental programmes (2000-2004). The EC-funded Marie Curie Research Training Network AMGISS (Advanced Modelling of Ground Improvement on Soft Soils) continued the research by the SCMEP network, focussing on modelling ground improvement systems. The aim of the AMGISS network is to develop advanced numerical modelling techniques for analysing the coupled hydro-mechanical behaviour of ground improvement systems on soft soils utilising advanced constitutive modelling, physical modelling and 2D, enhanced 2D and 3D numerical modelling techniques.

The motivation of the 2nd International Workshop on Geotechnics of Soft Soils, organised by the AMGISS network (3-5 September 2008, Glasgow, Scotland), was to bring together practitioners and academics to discuss recent developments in soft soil modelling, focussing on ground improvement. This volume is a collection of papers from the workshop, and discusses the state-of-the-art in soft soil modelling and design, with particular emphasis on ground improvement applications, involving contibutions both from academia and industry. The topics included cover: Modelling (constitutive modelling, numerical modelling, and physical modelling), Design and Application (focusing mainly on embankments and foundations), and Ground Improvement (preloading and consolidation methods, column methods, piles and micropiles, and other ground improvement methods).

Geotechnics of Soft Soils - Focus on Ground Improvement will prove to be invaluable to research students, academics and practitioners, working in geotechnical design on soft soils.

Before structural mechanics became the common language of structural engineers, buildings were built based on observed behavior, with every new solution incurring high levels of risk. Today, the pendulum has swung in the other direction. The web of structural mechanics is so finely woven that it hides the role of experience in design, again leading to high levels of risk.

Understanding Structures brings the art and science of structures into the environment of a computer game. The book imparts a basic understanding of how buildings and bridges resist gravity, wind, and earthquake loads. Its interactive presentation of topics spans elementary concepts of force in trusses to bending of beams and the response of multistory, multi-bay frames.

Formulate Graphical and Quantitative Solutions with GOYA

The companion software, GOYA, runs easily on any java-enabled system. This interactive learning environment allows engineers to obtain quick and instructive graphical and quantitative solutions to many problems in structures.

Simulation is critical to the design and construction of safe structures. Using GOYA and the tools within Understanding Structures, engineers can enhance their overall understanding of structure response as well as expedite the process of safe structure design.

In a straightforward style, this book presents a detailed overview of 20 cases of famous and other highly interesting bridge collapses over the last two centuries. Every case is illustrated and described in detail and the failure analyses made are supported by well-known explanations and, in some cases, by new theories. The chronological order makes it easy to follow the gradual development in the use of different bridge types and the choice of construction material. The increase of knowledge and experience in the structural engineering discipline over the years is clearly observable, although every modern engineer will admit that both fatigue and buckling are very complex phenomena and that knowledge about them can increasingly profit from studying past bridge construction projects failures. Intended for consulting engineers (bridges, steel and metal structures) and for advanced-level and postgraduate students in structural and bridge engineering.

The book focuses on the recent innovations in computational techniques, material and digital fabrication technology that are revolutionizing the design, analysis and construction of surface structures. Powerful analysis tools now enable the accurate prediction of structural behaviour and manufacturing processes. Material innovations in the area of cementitious and other composites, glass, or smart materials, to just name a few, are challenging architects to find appropriate forms and applications. Digitally supported fabrication technology has taken a quantum leap since the time of the master shell builders 40 years ago, unfolding new potential to realize complex structural shapes in new and innovative ways. These innovations are presented in the context of an in-depth introduction to the fundamentals of surface structures providing the necessary knowledge for the successful design of shells and tensile systems in a broad variety of materials. Many of the principles are demonstrated using new material of some of the masterpieces in surface architecture. The book is structured into three parts. The first part familiarizes the reader with the topic of surface structures. It provides a historic overview and explains the underlying structural principles and traditional construction techniques. Part II introduces design methods, emphasizing recent developments in computational design and analysis that have greatly facilitated the design and construction of surface structures. Part III presents case studies demonstrating use of innovative and emerging materials.

Geomaterials consist of a mixture of solid particles and void space that may be ?lled with ?uid and gas. The solid particles may be di?erent in sizes, shapes, and behavior; and the pore liquid may have various physical and chemical properties. Hence, physical, chemical or electrical interaction - tween the solid particles and pore ?uid or gas may take place. Therefore, the geomaterials in general must be considered a mixture or a multiphase material whose state is described by physical quantities in each phase. The stresses carried by the solid skeleton are typically termed "e?ective stress" while the stresses carried by the pore liquid are termed "pore pressure. " The summation of the e?ective stress and pore pressure is termed "total stress" (Terzaghi, 1943). For a free drainage condition or completely undrained c- dition, the pore pressure change is zero or depends only on the initial stress condition; it does not depend on the skeleton response to external forces. Therefore, a single phase description of soil behavior is adequate. For an intermediate condition, however, some ?ow (pore pressure leak) may take place while the force is applied and the skeleton is under deformation. Due to the leak of pore pressure, the pore pressure changes with time, and the e?ective stress changes and the skeleton deforms with time accordingly. The solution of this intermediate condition, therefore, requires a multi-phase c- tinuum formulations that may address the interaction of solid skeleton and pore liquid interaction.

Examining the fundamental differences between design and analysis, Robert Benaim explores the close relationship between aesthetic and technical creativity and the importance of the intuitive, more imaginative qualities of design that every designer should employ when designing a structure. Aiding designers of concrete bridges in developing an intuitive understanding of structural action, this book encourages innovation and the development of engineering architecture. Simple, relevant calculation techniques that should precede any detailed analysis are summarized. Construction methods used to build concrete bridge decks and substructures are detailed and direct guidance on the choice and the sizing of different types of concrete bridge deck is given. In addition guidance is provided on solving recurring difficult problems of detailed design and realistic examples of the design process are provided. This book enables concrete bridge designers to broaden their scope in design and provides an analysis of the necessary calculations and methods.

Extensive numerical methods for computing design sensitivity are included in the text for practical application and software development. The numerical method allows integration of CAD-FEA-DSA software tools, so that design optimization can be carried out using CAD geometric models instead of FEA models. This capability allows integration of CAD-CAE-CAM so that optimized designs can be manufactured effectively.

This volume contains eight contributions on the common theme of masonry construction. The publication coincides with the retirement of Dr Jacques Heyman from his Professorship of Engineering in the University of Cambridge, and Headship of the University's Engineering Department. It is entirely appropriate to have a collection of papers in honour of Professor Heyman at this time; for he has made signal contributions to our understanding of masonry construction over the past thirty years or so. It is no exaggeration to say that he has radically changed the way in which engineers think about masonry structures, particularly in relation to the old ecclesiastical buildings and bridges. Indeed it is hard to imagine what this subject would be like today in the absence of Professor Heyman's seminal papers.

This book analyses the effects of moving loads on elastic and inelastic solids, elements and parts of structures and on elastic media, namely beams, continuous beams, beams on elastic foundations, rigid-plastic beams and thin-walled beams, frames, arches, strings, plates, elastic spaces and half spaces, etc. It provides theoretical formulations for the problems, and mathematical solutions for all cases and their application to civil, mechanical, transport, naval and aircraft structures. The extensive and up-to-date bibliography gives a worldwide survey.

Design and Construction of Pavements and Rail Tracks - Geotechnical Aspects and Processed Materials is a compilation of selected contributions produced between 2002 and 2005 by the International Committee TC3 - Geotechnics of Pavements of the International Society of Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE), a committee dedicated to gathering current knowledge of geotechnical aspects relating to pavements and rail tracks. The volume presents advanced procedures for laboratory and field materials characterization, including processed materials (non-conventional road construction materials), novel tests for field stiffness evaluation, a pre-standard for roller integrated continuous compaction control and new theories for evaluation of the long term performance of materials, including environmental aspects. These contributions represent the latest developments relating to the design, construction and long term performance of pavements, rail tracks and earth structures, with emphasis on the geotechnical and environmental background.

New Trends in Fracture Mechanics of Concrete contains Volume 1 of the Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures (FraMCoS-6, Catania, Italy, 17-22 June 2007). It is divided into four parts: (1) Theoretical and Numerical Methods in Fracture Mechanics of Concrete; (2) Experimental Methods in Fracture Mechanics of Concrete; (3) Constitutive Damage Modelling of Concrete; (4) Time Effects in the Damage and Fracture of Concrete. Over the last twenty years, many theoretical, numerical and experimental methods have evolved in the field of Fracture Mechanics of Concrete. These have led to practical applications in reinforced-concrete design, assessment, monitoring and retrofitting, as well as innovative high-performance and durable cementitious materials. Although Fracture Mechanics of Concrete is now mature as a framework for defining and solving a variety of engineering problems, there is still much work to be done in improving previous theoretical and numerical models, and for re-interpreting established phenomena. In particular, there are new developments in the treatment of scale effects; the implementation of 3D-discretisation; and the combination of continuous and discontinuous models. Other areas of rapid progress are the development of innovative testing techniques; the proposal of non-local and anisotropic constitutive laws; the formulation of lattice and multiscale models, and the development of coupled multifield theories. The other two volumes comprising the Proceedings of the 6th International Conference on Fracture Mechanics of Concrete and Concrete Structures are Design, Assessment and Retrofitting of RC Structures; and High-Performance Concrete, Brick-Masonry and Environmental Aspects. The set presents a wealth of information, and will be useful to professional civil engineers, postgraduate students and researchers.

Geotechnical works involve complex geo-engineering issues, which are reviewed in this volume presenting the very latest research and practice in computational mechanics in geotechnical engineering. Application of Computational Mechanics in Geotechnical Engineering V contains contributions on soil and rock excavations, underground structures and ground reinforcement; and on the construction of dams, embankments and rail track. Other papers consider the geomechanics of oil exploration and rock mechanics in mining; while environmental contributions include groundwater management. A wide range of methodologies are discussed: inversed methodologies, artificial intelligence and computational systems, which highlight future trends in the area of computational mechanics applied to geotechnical problems. The book will be of interest to researchers, academics, students, software developers, and practical engineers across the field of geotechnics.

This book introduces spectral analysis as a means of investigating wave propagation and transient oscillations in structures. After developing the foundations of spectral analysis and the fast Fourier transform algorithm, the book provides a thorough treatment of waves in rods, beams, and plates, and introduces a novel matrix method for analysing complex structures as a collection of waveguides. The presentation includes an introduction to higher-order structural theories, the results of many experimental studies, practical applications, and source-code listings for many programs. An extensive bibliography provides an entry to the research literature. Intended as a textbook for graduate students of aerospace or mechanical engineering, the book will also be of interest to practising engineers in these and related disciplines.

Although the use of composites has increased in many industrial, commercial, medical, and defense applications, there is a lack of technical literature that examines composites in conjunction with concrete construction. Fulfilling the need for a comprehensive, explicit guide, Reinforced Concrete Design with FRP Composites presents specific information necessary for designing concrete structures with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites as a substitute for steel reinforcement and for using FRP fabrics to strengthen concrete members. In a reader-friendly, design-oriented manner, this book discusses the analysis, design, durability, and serviceability of concrete members reinforced with FRP. The authors first introduce the elements that constitute composites-the structural constituent and matrix-and discuss how composites are manufactured. Following an examination of the durability of FRP composites that contain fibers, such as glass, carbon, or aramid, the book illustrates how FRP external reinforcement systems (FRP-ER) can be used for enhancing the strength and stiffness of concrete structures using theory and design principles. The concluding chapter concentrates on serviceability aspects of concrete members internally reinforced with FRP. An excellent resource of design and construction practices, Reinforced Concrete Design with FRP Composites is a state-of-the-art reference on concrete members reinforced with FRP.

This book collects invited lectures presented and discussed on the AMAS & ECCOMAS Workshop/Thematic Conference SMART'o3. The SMART'o3 Conference on Smart Materials and Structures was held in a 19th century palace in Jadwisin near Warsaw, 2-5 September 2003, Poland .It was organized by the Advanced Materials and Structures (AMAS) Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Fundamental Technological Research (IFTR) in Warsaw, ECCOMAS - European Community on Computational Methods in Applied Sciences and SMART-TECH Centre at IFTR. The idea of the workshop was to bring together and consolidate the community of Smart Materials and Structures in Europe. The workshop was attended by 66 participants from n European countries (Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain, U.K., Ukraine), 1 participant from Israel and 1 participant from the USA. The workshop program was grouped into the following major topics: 4 sessions on Structural Control (18 presentations), 3 sessions on Vibration Controland Dynamics (14 presentations), 2 sessions on Damage Identification (10 presentations), 2 sessions on Smart Materials (9 presentations). Each session was composed of an invited lecture and some contributed papers. Every paper scheduled in the program was presented, so altogether 51 presentations were given. No sessions were run in parallel. The workshop was attended not only by researchers but also by people closely related to the industry. There were interesting discussions on scientific merits of the presented papers as well as on future development of the field and its possible industrial applications.

Tunnels have a high degree of risk that needs to be assessed and managed. Underground works intersect and interact with natural materials, incorporating their characteristics as structural components of their own stability. For this reason geotechnical risk analyses are implemented at all phases of tunnel construction, from design through to post-construction maintenance. Analysis of geotechnical risk involves a group of studies which lead to the identification and evaluation of the potential probability of error and the consequences of its occurrence. This volume considers construction and safety, financing and control, and exploration and maintenance. Eminent specialists discuss risk assessment and management, based both on advanced theoretical concepts and on practical experience. The book is of interest to a wide range of professionals involved in planning, construction and management of tunnels: entrepreneurs, designers, consultants and contractors.

This valuable second edition provides important extensions of unique techniques of numerical analyses of beams, long strips, circular plates, and circular-cylindrical tanks resting on elastic foundations and/or unyielding/elastic supports. Emphasis is placed upon simplicity of analysis without compromising the accuracy of results and a large number of examples are included for illustration. These also provide help for users of the easy-to-use software included. The fully revised software runs smoothly under current Windows operating systems. Employing the numerical techniques outlined in the book, this powerful tool makes design analysis of the related structures easy and time-efficient. The applicability of the software is extended to analysis of laterally loaded piles and bending analysis of retaining walls. A bonus suite of complementary software containing programmes for elastic-plastic soil - structure interaction analyses of beams/strips, laterally loaded piles/sheet-piles, and long retaining walls is also included. engineers engaged in design of beams, strips, circular plates, circular-cylindrical tanks and silos. Postgraduate students and researchers working in the soil-structure interaction area should also find the book-software package of great value.

This conference proceedings brings together the work of researchers and practising engineers concerned with computational modelling of complex concrete, reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete structures in engineering practice. The subjects considered include computational mechanics of concrete and other cementitious materials, including masonry. Advanced discretisation methods and microstructural aspects within multi-field and multi-scale settings are discussed, as well as modelling formulations and constitutive modelling frameworks and novel experimental programmes. The conference also considered the need for reliable, high-quality analysis and design of concrete structures in regard to safety-critical structures, with a view to adopting these in codes of practice or recommendations. The book is of special interest to researchers in computational mechanics, and industry experts in complex nonlinear simulations of concrete structures.

This volume contains a collection of 122 papers, six reports on Symposium themes, two reports on special lectures and notes on the technical discussion sessions, presented at the Fifth International Symposium on Geotechnical Aspects of Underground Construction in Soft Ground held in Amsterdam (The Netherlands), 15-17 June 2005. The symposium was organized by the Technical Committee 28 Underground Construction in Soft Ground of the International Society for Soil Mechanics and Geotechnical Engineering (ISSMGE). This is the latest in a series, which began in New Delhi in 1994 and was followed by symposia in London (1996), Tokyo (1999) and Toulouse (2002). The Amsterdam Symposium was sponsored by the Dutch Public Works Department (Rijkswaterstaat) and by various national and international companies.