This book focuses on the systematic modeling of complex situations characterized by escalating disruptions, and on cycles of dynamic collaboration for the best handling of disruptions. What can we do about disruptive events and their cascading effects? Thanks to the evolution of intelligent technologies for interaction, communication, sharing, and collaboration, cyberspace is a rapidly expanding world. Our systems of machines, software services, and human organizations have become increasingly interdependent, in other words - networked. As a result, disruptions that initially affect only a small part of any network tend to escalate. At the same time, cyber solutions can support first responders and emergency handlers, enhancing their responsiveness and ability to collaborate with one another in controlling disruptions and preventing their escalation. In this book, we are chiefly interested in how effectively these collaborations can be supported and how we can further optimize such support. Solution guidelines for optimizing collaborations are illustrated with examples in various application domains: agricultural robotics, civil cyber-physical infrastructure, visual analytics, manufacturing automation, and supply chains. Open-source simulation tools are also provided to supplement the main content.

This book focuses on the systematic modeling of complex situations characterized by escalating disruptions, and on cycles of dynamic collaboration for the best handling of disruptions. What can we do about disruptive events and their cascading effects? Thanks to the evolution of intelligent technologies for interaction, communication, sharing, and collaboration, cyberspace is a rapidly expanding world. Our systems of machines, software services, and human organizations have become increasingly interdependent, in other words - networked. As a result, disruptions that initially affect only a small part of any network tend to escalate. At the same time, cyber solutions can support first responders and emergency handlers, enhancing their responsiveness and ability to collaborate with one another in controlling disruptions and preventing their escalation. In this book, we are chiefly interested in how effectively these collaborations can be supported and how we can further optimize such support. Solution guidelines for optimizing collaborations are illustrated with examples in various application domains: agricultural robotics, civil cyber-physical infrastructure, visual analytics, manufacturing automation, and supply chains. Open-source simulation tools are also provided to supplement the main content.

The International Association of Protective Structures (IAPS) was launched on 1 October 2010 in Manchester, UK during the first International Conference of Protective Structures. The primary purpose of IAPS is to bring researchers and engineers working in the area of protective structures together, and to promote research and development work for better life and structure protection against shock and impact loads. More information can be found at http://www.protectivestructures.org/contact.html. Advances in Protective Structures Research is the first publication in a series of planned publications by IAPS. It contains 13 chapters prepared by active and prominent researchers around the world in the area of protective structures. It covers the dynamic material model and material properties, structural response analysis, structural reliability analysis, impact loads and ground shock. The contents of the book reflect well the current research achievements and practice in structural protection against blast and impact loads. They represent the advanced international research status in theoretical derivations, numerical simulations, and laboratory and field tests for structure protections.