The results of an analytical effort to obtain and evaluate transient response data for a cylindrical and a conical shell by use of two different approaches: direct integration and modal superposition are described. The inclusion of nonlinear terms is more important than the inclusion of secondary linear effects (transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia) although there are thin-shell structures where these secondary effects are important. The advantages of the direct integration approach are that geometric nonlinear and secondary effects are easy to include and high-frequency response may be calculated. In comparison to the modal superposition technique the computer storage requirements are smaller. The advantages of the modal superposition approach are that the solution is independent of the previous time history and that once the modal data are obtained, the response for repeated cases may be efficiently computed. Also, any admissible set of initial conditions can be applied.

The world's most experienced scientists and professionals working on cooling towers gathered at the 5th International Symposium on Natural Draught Cooling Towers to discuss the latest developments in this area and exchange knowledge and experiences. This book comprises 43 contributions on the latest developments in the field of natural draught cooling towers, including the cooling process, wind loading, stability & nonlinear behaviour, earthquake resistant design, structural problems, construction developments, design rules, survey and maintenance, rehabilitation and structural damage simulation as well as construction heritage. In addition, a special session is dedicated to the world's highest cooling tower.

Publishes original research in all branches of mechanics including aerodynamics; aeroelasticity; boundary layers; computational mechanics; constitutive modeling of materials; dynamics; elasticity; flow and fracture; heat transfer; hydraulics; impact; internal flow; mechanical properties of materials; micromechanics; plasticity; stress analysis; structures; thermodynamics; turbulence; vibration; and wave propagation.