The application of fracture mechanics to cementitious materials allows the investigation of many important factors relating to the durability of these materials. This new book provides a comprehensive and readable exposition of this subject and is written by two of the world's foremost experts.

The study of fracture mechanics of materials provides crucial information relating to the performance, integrity, durability and failure mode of individual components of a structure, and ultimately of an entire structure. Given the widespread and increasing use of cement and concrete materials in modern construction, it is essential that civil and structural engineers fully understand the mechanical properties of the materials they are specifying, and have a clear insight into their advantages and limitations. This book provides a comprehensive and readable exposition of this complex subject. This book should be of interest to structural, civil and mechanical engineers involved in design of new structures and testing and assessment of existing structures, as well as those concerned with researching materials properties, performance and design-life.

Robust Design of Microelectronics Assemblies Against Mechanical Shock, Temperature and Moisture discusses how the reliability of packaging components is a prime concern to electronics manufacturers. The text presents a thorough review of this important field of research, providing users with a practical guide that discusses theoretical aspects, experimental results, and modeling techniques. The authors use their extensive experience to produce detailed chapters covering temperature, moisture, and mechanical shock induced failure, adhesive interconnects, and viscoelasticity. Useful program files and macros are also included.

Over the past three decades, the terminology of composite materials has been well acknowledged by the technical community, and composite materials have been gaining exponential acceptance in a diversity of industries, serving as competitive candidates for traditional structural and functional materials to realize current and future trends imposed on high performance structures. Striking examples of breakthroughs based on utilization of composite materials are increasingly found nowadays in transportation vehicles (aircraft, space shuttle and automobile), civil infrastructure (buildings, bridge and highway barriers), and sporting goods (F1, golf club, sailboat) etc., owing to an improved understanding of their performance characteristics and application potentials, especially innovative, cost-effective manufacturing processes. As the equivalent of ICCM in the Asian-Australasian regions, the Asian-Australasian Association for Composite Materials (AACM) has been playing a vital leading role in the field of composites science and technology since its inception in 1997 in Australia. Following the excellent reputations and traditions of previous ACCMs, ACCM-4 is held in scenic Sydney, Australia, 6-9 July 2004. The theme of ACCM-4, Composites Technologies for 2020, provides a forum to present state-of-the-art achievements and recent advances in composites sciences & technologies, and discuss and identify key and emerging issues for future pursuits. By bringing together leading experts and promising innovators from the research institutions, end-use industries and academia, ACCM-4 intends to facilitate broadband knowledge sharing and identify opportunities for long-term cooperative research and development ventures. The scope of ACCM-4 is broad. It includes, but is not limited to, the following areas: Bi- composites, Ceramic matrix composites, Durability and aging, NDE and SHM Eco-composites, Manufacturing and processing technologies, Industrial applications, Interphases and interfaces, Impact and dynamic response Matrices (polymers, ceramics, and metals), Mechanical and physical properties (fatigue, fracture, micromechanics, viscoelastic behavior, buckling and failure, etc.), Metal matrix composites, Multi-functional composites, Nano-composites, Reinforcements (textiles, strand, and mat), Smart materials and structures, Technology transfer (education, training, etc.)

Polymer nanocomposites are polymer matrices reinforced with nano-scale fillers. This new class of composite materials has shown improved mechanical and physical properties. The latter include enhanced optical, electrical and dielectric properties. This important book begins by examining the characteristics of the main types of polymer nanocomposites, then reviews their diverse applications. Part one focuses on polymer/nanoparticle composites, their synthesis, optical properties and electrical conductivity. Part two describes the electrical, dielectric and thermal behaviour of polymer/nanoplatelet composites, whilst polymer/nanotube composites are the subject of Part three. The processing and industrial applications of these nanocomposite materials are discussed in Part four, including uses in fuel cells, bioimaging and sensors as well as the manufacture and applications of electrospun polymer nanocomposite fibers, nanostructured transition metal oxides, clay nanofiller/epoxy nanocomposites, hybrid epoxy-silica-rubber nanocomposites and other rubber-based nanocomposites. Polymer nanocomposites: Physical properties and applications is a valuable reference tool for both the research community and industry professionals wanting to learn about the these materials and their applications in such areas as fuel cell, sensor and biomedical technology.