This book introduces the applications of laser in surface modification, such as laser cladding of Stellite alloys and metal-ceramic composites. Besides, nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes and Al2O3 nanoparticles are brought into the laser processing, to form high-temperature resistance, chemical stability, and wear- and oxidation-resistant composite coatings. The readers will get more knowledge about the basic principle and application of laser cladding and laser surface hardening technologies, and gain a deep insight into the process and characteristics of the nanomaterial-assisted laser surface enhancement. It provides references for the researchers, engineers, and students in the fields of mechanical engineering, laser processing, and material engineering.

Based on the widely used finite element method (FEM) and the latest Meshfree methods, a next generation of numerical method called Smoothed Point Interpolation Method (S-PIM) has been recently developed. The S-PIM is an innovative and effective combination of the FEM and the meshfree methods, and enables automation in computation, modeling and simulations - one of the most important features of the next generation methods. This important book describes the various S-PIM models in a systematic, concise and easy-to-understand manner. The underlying principles for the next generation of computational methods, G space theory, novel weakened weak (W2) formulations, techniques for shape functions, formulation procedures, and implementation strategies are presented in detail. Numerous examples are provided to demonstrate the efficiency and accuracy of the S-PIM solutions in comparison with the FEM and other existing methods. Effective techniques to compute solution bounds employing both S-PIM and FEM are highlighted to obtain certified solutions with both upper and lower bounds. The book also presents a systematically way to conduct adaptive analysis for solutions of desired accuracy using these bound properties, which is another key feature of the next generation of computational methods. This will benefit researchers, engineers and students who are venturing into new areas of research and computer code development.

Multi-scale and multi-physics modeling is useful and important for all areas in engineering and sciences. Particle Methods for Multi-Scale and Multi-Physics systematically addresses some major particle methods for modeling multi-scale and multi-physical problems in engineering and sciences. It contains different particle methods from atomistic scales to continuum scales, with emphasis on molecular dynamics (MD), dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) and smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH).This book covers the theoretical background, numerical techniques and many interesting applications of the particle methods discussed in this text, especially in: micro-fluidics and bio-fluidics (e.g., micro drop dynamics, movement and suspension of macro-molecules, cell deformation and migration); environmental and geophysical flows (e.g., saturated and unsaturated flows in porous media and fractures); and free surface flows with possible interacting solid objects (e.g., wave impact, liquid sloshing, water entry and exit, oil spill and boom movement). The presented methodologies, techniques and example applications will benefit students, researchers and professionals in computational engineering and sciences.

Machine Learning (ML) has become a very important area of research widely used in various industries.This compendium introduces the basic concepts, fundamental theories, essential computational techniques, codes, and applications related to ML models. With a strong foundation, one can comfortably learn related topics, methods, and algorithms. Most importantly, readers with strong fundamentals can even develop innovative and more effective machine models for his/her problems. The book is written to achieve this goal.The useful reference text benefits professionals, academics, researchers, graduate and undergraduate students in AI, ML and neural networks.

This is the first-ever book on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and its variations, covering the theoretical background, numerical techniques, code implementation issues, and many novel and interesting applications. It contains many appealing and practical examples, including free surface flows, high explosive detonation and explosion, underwater explosion and water mitigation of explosive shocks, high velocity impact and penetration, and multiple scale simulations coupled with the molecular dynamics method. An SPH source code is provided and coupling of SPH and molecular dynamics is discussed for multiscale simulation, making this a friendly book for readers and SPH users.

This book introduces the applications of laser in surface modification, such as laser cladding of Stellite alloys and metal-ceramic composites. Besides, nanomaterials including carbon nanotubes and Al2O3 nanoparticles are brought into the laser processing, to form high-temperature resistance, chemical stability, and wear- and oxidation-resistant composite coatings. The readers will get more knowledge about the basic principle and application of laser cladding and laser surface hardening technologies, and gain a deep insight into the process and characteristics of the nanomaterial-assisted laser surface enhancement. It provides references for the researchers, engineers, and students in the fields of mechanical engineering, laser processing, and material engineering.

This unique compendium presents the Gradient Smoothing Methods (GSMs), as a general solver for linear and nonlinear PDEs (Partial Differential Equations) with a focus on fluids and flowing solids.The volume introduces the basic concepts and theories of the gradient smoothing technique used in the GSMs. Formulations for both Eulerian-GSM and Lagrangian-GSM are presented. The key ingredients of GSMs and its effectiveness in solving challenging fluid/solid flow problems with complex geometries are then discussed.Applications of GSM are highlighted, including compressible and incompressible flows, hydrodynamics with flexible free surface, and flowing solids with material strength and large deformation in geotechnical engineering, in particular, landslide simulations.In-house MATLAB codes are provided for both Eulerian and Lagrangian GSMs, along with detailed descriptions. More efficient FORTRAN source codes for solving complex engineering problems are also available on Github.

The Finite Element Method (FEM) has become an indispensable technology for the modelling and simulation of engineering systems. Written for engineers and students alike, the aim of the book is to provide the necessary theories and techniques of the FEM for readers to be able to use a commercial FEM package to solve primarily linear problems in mechanical and civil engineering with the main focus on structural mechanics and heat transfer.
Fundamental theories are introduced in a straightforward way, and state-of-the-art techniques for designing and analyzing engineering systems, including microstructural systems are explained in detail. Case studies are used to demonstrate these theories, methods, techniques and practical applications, and numerous diagrams and tables are used throughout.
The case studies and examples use the commercial software package ABAQUS, but the techniques explained are equally applicable for readers using other applications including NASTRAN, ANSYS, MARC, etc.
Full sets of PowerPoint slides developed by the authors for their course on FEM are available as a free download from a companion website.
* A practical and accessible guide to this complex, yet important subject
* Covers modeling techniques that predict how components will operate and tolerate loads, stresses and strains in reality
* Full set of PowerPoint presentation slides which illustrate and support the book are available on a companion website.

China's adult and continuing education institutions have launched comprehensive reforms in order to meet the increasing demands for professional training. With decentralisation and marketisation becoming global trends in reforming public sectors across the world, China's adult and continuing education institutions have also adopted these policies in their restructuring. The present research presents a holistic picture of the restructuring of China's adult and continuing education. The global and local forces that are driving the decentralisation and marketisation of China's adult and continuing education such as the development of the market economy in the country, the rising demand for professional talent, the impact of the increasing enrolment in China's regular higher education institutions, and the external influence of educational reforms are identified and examined.