Containing research on sustainable urban redevelopment presented at the latest in a biennial series organised by the Wessex Institute of Technology, this book addresses an area of growing interest. The conference series was first held in 2000. These proceedings are split into two volumes. Urban areas produce a series of environmental challenges arising from the consumption of natural resources and the consequent generation of waste and pollution, contributing to the development of social and economic imbalances. All these problems, which continue to grow in our society, require the development of new solutions. Topics include: Volume I – Urban Strategies; Eco-town Planning; Planning, development and management; Planning, development and management for urban conservation and regeneration; Case studies; Landscape planning and design; Environmental management; Intelligent environments and emerging technologies. Volume II – Sustainable energy and the city; Waterfront developments; The community and the city; Quality of life; Cultural heritage issues; Transportation; Planning for risk; Planning for risk; Transport models in emergency conditions; Industrial wastes as raw materials; Waste management; Safety and security; The city heritage.

With the encroachment of the Internet into nearly all aspects of work and life, it seems as though information is everywhere. However, there is information and then there is correct, appropriate, and timely information. While we might love being able to turn to Wikipedia for encyclopedia-like information or search Google for the thousands of links

Creep is the tendency of materials to deform when subjected to long-term stress, particularly when exposed to heat. Fatigue phenomena occur when a material is subjected to cyclic loading, causing damage which may progress to failure. Both are critical factors in the long-term performance and reliability of materials such as polymer matrix composites which are often exposed to these types of stress in civil engineering and other applications. This important book reviews the latest research in modelling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites. The first part of the book reviews the modelling of viscoelastic and viscoplastic behaviour as a way of predicting performance and service life. Part two discusses techniques for modelling creep rupture and failure. The final part of the book discusses ways of testing and predicting long-term creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites. With its distinguished editor and international team of contributors, Creep and Fatigue in Polymer Matrix Composites is a standard reference for all those researching and using polymer matrix composites in such areas as civil engineering. - Reviews the latest research in modelling and predicting creep and fatigue in polymer matrix composites - A specific focus on viscoelestic and viscoplastic modelling features the time-temperature-age superposition principle for predicting long-term response - Creep rupture and damage interaction is examined with particular focus on time-dependent failure criteria for lifetime prediction of polymer matrix composite structures illustrated using experimental cases

For decades, optimization methods such as Fuzzy Logic, Artificial Neural Networks, Firefly, Simulated annealing, and Tabu search, have been capable of handling and tackling a wide range of real-world application problems in society and nature. Analysts have turned to these problem-solving techniques in the event during natural disasters and chaotic systems research. The Handbook of Research on Artificial Intelligence Techniques and Algorithms highlights the cutting edge developments in this promising research area. This premier reference work applies Meta-heuristics Optimization (MO) Techniques to real world problems in a variety of fields including business, logistics, computer science, engineering, and government. This work is particularly relevant to researchers, scientists, decision-makers, managers, and practitioners.

A single source of information on the fundamental concepts and latest research applications of friction stir welding and processing Friction Stir Welding and Processing: Fundamentals to Advancements provides concise yet comprehensive coverage of the field of friction stir welding, with an eye toward future research directions and applications. Throughout the book, case studies provide real-world context and highlight applications for various engineering sectors. With contributions from an array of leaders in the field, Friction Stir Welding and Processing provides readers with a single source of information on all aspects of FSW and FSP. After explaining the fundamentals of friction stir welding (FSW) and its variants, the book discusses composite fabrication techniques using friction stir processing (FSP). Different types of friction techniques are covered, as is the equipment used. Detailed characterization of samples and composites are included. Additional topics discussed include the impact of FSW on the economics of production, methods for coupling FSW/FSP with additive manufacturing, composite fabrication, and process-property relationships. Master the basic concepts of friction stir welding and its variants Discover the role of FSW in developing hybrid manufacturing techniques Follow case studies that connect theoretical concepts to real-world experimental results Learn from contributions from an array of global thought leaders in the field This is a valuable compendium on the topic for engineers and designers who utilize welding and advanced manufacturing across industries, as well as graduate students and post-graduate researchers who are exploring new friction stir welding applications.

The achievement of high-efficiency and precise grinding of difficult-to-cut metals—like titanium alloys—is essential in the aerospace industry. However, the process often results in thermal damage to the workpiece surface, posing a significant technical challenge. While minimum quantity lubrication (MQL) has been used to aid titanium alloy grinding, its effectiveness is limited by insufficient heat dissipation and lubrication. As an alternative to normal temperature air for carrying micro-lubricants, Cryogenic air has shown promise in improving oil film heat transfer and lubrication performance in the grinding zone, thus reducing workpiece surface thermal damage. The experimental state of the technology demands more comprehensive studies on its effectiveness and on the underlying mechanisms. Thermodynamic Mechanism of Cryogenic Air Minimum Quantity Lubrication Grinding addresses these challenges by providing a theoretical framework for understanding and optimizing cryogenic air minimum quantity lubrication in grinding processes, particularly for titanium alloys. It explores the physical characteristics of lubricants under cryogenic conditions, the influence of low temperatures on atomization effects, droplet formation dynamics, and heat transfer mechanisms within the grinding zone. By establishing quantitative relationships between cryogenic air parameters and lubricant properties, the book lays a foundation for enhancing the cooling lubrication mechanism of cryogenic air MQL in grinding processes. Researchers, scholars, and graduate students in universities and research institutes focusing on machining will find this book invaluable, as it goes beyond the theoretical insights into practical solutions to enhance grinding efficiency and reduce thermal damage.

This book is the third in the Woodhead Publishing Reviews: Mechanical Engineering Series, and includes high quality articles (full research articles, review articles and case studies) with a special emphasis on research and development in machining and machine-tools. Machining and machine tools is an important subject with application in several industries. Parts manufactured by other processes often require further operations before the product is ready for application. Traditional machining is the broad term used to describe removal of material from a work piece, and covers chip formation operations including: turning, milling, drilling and grinding. Recently the industrial utilization of non-traditional machining processes such as EDM (electrical discharge machining), LBM (laser-beam machining), AWJM (abrasive water jet machining) and USM (ultrasonic machining) has increased. The performance characteristics of machine tools and the significant development of existing and new processes, and machines, are considered. Nowadays, in Europe, USA, Japan and countries with emerging economies machine tools is a sector with great technological evolution. - Includes high quality articles (full research articles, review articles and cases studies) with a special emphasis on research and development in machining and machine-tools - Considers the performance characteristics of machine tools and the significant development of existing and new processes and machines - Contains subject matter which is significant for many important centres of research and universities worldwide