Initiatives, such as INSPIRE and the US DHS Geospatial Data Model, are working to develop a rich set of standards that will create harmonized models and themes for the spatial information infrastructure. However, this is only the first step. Semantically meaningful models must still be developed in order to stimulate interoperability. Creatin

In this fully up-to-date volume, important new developments and applications of discrete element modelling are highlighted and brought together for presentation at the First International UDEC/3DEC Symposium. Papers covered the following key areas: * behaviour of masonry structures (walls, bridges, towers, columns) * stability and deformation of tunnels and caverns in fractured rock masses * geomechanical modelling for mining and waste repositories * rock reinforcement design (anchors, shotcrete, bolts) * mechanical and hydro-mechanical behaviour of dams and foundations * rock slope stability, deformation and failure mechanisms * modelling of fundamental rock mechanical problems * modelling of geological processes * constitutive laws for fractured rock masses and masonry structures * dynamic behaviour of discrete structures. Numerical Modelling of Discrete Materials in Geotechnical Engineering, Civil Engineering, and Earth Sciences provides an ultra-modern, in-depth analysis of discrete element modelling in a range of different fields, thus proving valuable reading for civil, mining, and geotechnical engineers, as well as other interested professionals.

This book presents the proceedings of the Fourth International Workshop on Soft Computing as Transdisciplinary Science and Technology (WSTST '05), May 25-27, 2005, Muroran, Japan. It brings together the original work of international soft computing/computational intelligence researchers, developers, practitioners, and users. This proceedings provide contributions to all areas of soft computing including intelligent hybrid systems, agent-based systems, intelligent data mining, decision support systems, cognitive and reactive distributed artificial intelligence (AI), internet modelling, human interface, and applications in science and technology.

"TRB's National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) Report 35: Implementing the Freight Transportation Data Architecture: Data Element Dictionary provides the findings of the research effort to develop a freight data dictionary for organizing the myriad freight data elements currently in use. A product of this research effort is a web-based freight data element dictionary hosted by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). The project web page includes a link to supporting appendices not printed with the report." --

Explores a framework for applying asset-management principles and practices to managing Interstate Highway System investments.