This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimarães and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was “Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges”, which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic “New materials and structures for ultra‐durability”, which covers current scientific and technological developments aimed at improving knowledge about degradation mechanisms in construction materials, as well as to the development of new materials with extreme durability. Novel special materials for extreme environments or extreme loading conditions are also included, as well as novel approaches to improve the performance and durability of currently common construction materials. The following subtopics are included: general purpose, constructions, infrastructures and facilities; extreme environments and extreme events; transport and deterioration mechanisms, characterization and mitigation; Supplementary Cementitious Materials, admixtures, additions and other emerging material optimization strategies; smart materials for durable structures.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimarães and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was “Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges”, which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic “Service life extension of existing structures”, which covers the most recent scientific and technological developments in the understanding of the evolution and degradation of construction materials and structural systems. Analytical and numerical, as well as experimental approaches, aimed at characterizing, modelling and predicting the evolution of the physical, chemical and mechanical properties of construction materials and structural systems are regarded. Multiphysics models are also considered, as well as other strategies that contribute for an accurate characterization and prediction the service life and the evolution of existing and novel construction materials under normal or extreme environmental exposure or loading conditions. New strategies to promote the smart repairing or the recovery of material properties, as well as the service life extension, are also considered. The following subtopics are included: service life models and multiphysics approaches; smart structures, innovative monitoring and intervention strategies; management and optimized maintenance strategies; integrated rehabilitation and strengthening approaches.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimarães and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was “Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges”, which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic “Shift to a circular economy”, which is focussed on sustainability and covers the research and recent technologies on the use and development of sustainable materials and structural systems, as well as on recycling and reusing. It also covers the implementation of industrial processes leading to minimized waste, including digital fabrication and deconstruction, as well as integrative approaches that lead to the achievement of the concept of circular economy. Additionally, this topic covers research on novel or existing construction materials and systems based on local resources and regional practices. The following subtopics are included: industrialized construction systems minimizing waste; recycling and reuse of materials and components; 4Ls: local constructions with local materials through local approaches for local development; Digital Manufacturing; design for deconstruction; smart demolition techniques; timber structures; Life-Cycle Assessment of construction materials and technologies; recycling of pavements and materials in roads.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimarães and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was “Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges”, which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic “Strategies for a resilient built environment”, which covers the current and emerging approaches that lead to an optimized design and maintenance of constructions and systems. It includes the development of service life models and life cycle design, in order to maximise longevity and level of service while minimising the environmental impact of constructions and systems. It also includes the analysis and design of larger systems, such as communities, cities or regions, aiming at reducing risk and increasing resilience. The following subtopics are included: resilience and robustness of the built environment and communities at local and global scales; risk based inspection and maintenance; life cycle analysis and service models; performance based design; improved design strategies by integrating materials and structures.

This book gathers peer-reviewed contributions presented at the 3rd RILEM Spring Convention and Conference, held at Guimarães and hosted by the University of Minho, Portugal, on March 9-14, 2020. The theme of the Conference was "Ambitioning a Sustainable Future for Built Environment: comprehensive strategies for unprecedented challenges", which was aimed at discussing current challenges and impacts of the built environment on sustainability. The present volume is dedicated to the topic "Shift to a circular economy", which is focussed on sustainability and covers the research and recent technologies on the use and development of sustainable materials and structural systems, as well as on recycling and reusing. It also covers the implementation of industrial processes leading to minimized waste, including digital fabrication and deconstruction, as well as integrative approaches that lead to the achievement of the concept of circular economy. Additionally, this topic covers research on novel or existing construction materials and systems based on local resources and regional practices. The following subtopics are included: industrialized construction systems minimizing waste; recycling and reuse of materials and components; 4Ls: local constructions with local materials through local approaches for local development; Digital Manufacturing; design for deconstruction; smart demolition techniques; timber structures; Life-Cycle Assessment of construction materials and technologies; recycling of pavements and materials in roads.

A fascinating portrait of the life and ideas of the great Indian writer and public intellectual, U.R. Ananthamurthy. Between 2012 and 2013, Ananthamurthy shared his personal experiences in a series of lively conversations with academic and writer Chandan Gowda, and reflected on issues that would preoccupy him until the end. Besides the vivid accounts of his childhood, friendships, the evolution of his intellectual life, and public involvements, his passionate ideas on tradition, on India's political culture, and on language and writing make the conversations an engaging and valuable document. A Life in the World -- perhaps the first exercise of its kind done with an Indian writer -- will enthral both general readers as well as admirers of Ananthamurthy's works.

Celebrate the season with this treasure trove of cozy cooking and baking recipes, from soul-warming soups and simple dinners to showstoppers and weekend projects. As the air grows chillier and nights longer, these dishes draw us to the table and the warmth of an active kitchen: Slow-simmered dishes like Cider-Braised Pork Roast, cheesy weeknight pasta like Unstuffed Shells with Butternut Squash, or a crusty bread like Fig and Fennel Bread. When the flavors of summer fade, autumn and winter fruits and vegetables can be just as bold and bountiful. Find recipe inspiration from the season's first ripe figs and plump brussels sprouts to roasty sides featuring celery root, kohlrabi, and kabocha squash, or a cranberry curd tart to brighten a winter's night. Themed chapters showcase all the reasons to love autumn and winter cooking: Find new celeberation favorites with a chapter of centerpiece dishes like Turkey and Gravy for a Crowd or Swiss Chard Pie to wow your guests. Picked apples on an autumnal adventure? All Things Apple covers both sweet and savory recipes like French Apple Cake and Celery Root, Fennel, and Apple Chowder to help you use them up. Create the ultimate party spread with chapters devoted to Appetizers, Festive Drinks, and Brunch: Try fried Korean fried chicken wings, latkes with beet-horseradish applesauce, or Everything Straws. Obsessed with pumpkin? So are we! In the Everyone Loves Pumpkin chapter you'll find everything from Creamy Pumpkin-Chai Soup to Rum Pumpkin Chiffon Pie. Bake to your heart's content with chapters covering breads, cookies, cakes, pies, puddings, and more. Give the gift of food with recipes for Rocky Road Bark and Fruits of the Forest Liqueur. America's Test Kitchen's tips and tricks guarantee every meal is a success. Flip to the introduction for menus and entertaining tips. Plus, we've added seasonally themed spreads throughout so you can decorate the perfect holiday cookies or plan a charcuterie board with last-second appetizers.

Ajji, can I have some water? ... Just a few drops will do, Ajji. With the searing sky above and the blistering earth below, like cactus the people of this parched terrain are determined to stay alive. Emaciated children scurry along, dejected farmers pawn their ploughs, weary women sleep on empty stomachs.... Would those perishing now have died anyway? Or is hunger calling them away prematurely? Filled with social concern, Satisha, the district commissioner, wants to help the afflicted. But he is caught between the politicians who are unwilling to declare the district drought-hit and the murky local realities where a religious outfit strives to protect cows, the desperate youth hold a deity responsible for the failed rains and petty activists seek to secure their own interests. Can the idealist Satisha win the game where corrupt politicians are rolling the dice and stand by his conviction to help the afflicted? Written during the Indian Emergency, Bara depicts the tortuous realities of Indian democracy and captures the political and moral dilemmas of the educated middle class.

The book presents new technologies for easy and economical construction of light concrete structures saving materials and CO2. The new super-light technology allows a designer to place forces, where it is optimal, and save material everywhere else. The book also supports this “Direct Engineering” principle with a number of new details and structural principles. The new pearl-chain technology makes it possible to design optimal shapes such as arches, vaults, cupolas, floating tunnels, and shells etc. from inexpensive, and mass-produced components. The new super-light deck-elements presented in the book are now produced in six factories in Denmark, Finland, and USA, and the number is increasing. The book will be of interest for all structural engineers, who would like to save materials, CO2 and optimize their structures, for students learning about the new technologies, and for contractors and architects, who want to investigate new building technologies.

Unburdened by partisanship or political correctness, these essays by Shiv Visvanathan, one of India's foremost public intellectuals, chronicle the democratic ferment and political upheavals in contemporary India. Written over the last twenty years, they engage with issues as diverse as the new dimensions of violence, the value of dissent, the creativity in popular culture and the pathologies of nationalism and religious fundamentalism. Always alert to nuance, Visvanathan offers novel portraits of politicians, intellectuals, and sport and film personalities. Combining wit, irony and analytical brilliance, the writings collected in Theatres of Democracy show a commitment to thinking creatively about India.