the Academic NEST

The construction industry is bombarded with ever-changing building materials—components of which are more and more difficult, if not impossible, to identify. Building material emissions have been implicated as a major source of indoor air pollution, and toxic gases, often unidentified, are generated in building fires. Building Materials: Product Emission and Combustion Health Hazards undertakes the task of identifying building materials emission and combustion health hazards. This practical guide introduces the complex world of polymers commonly used in building materials along with plasticizers and additives that are not regulated by OSHA. It also explores the topic of building materials as they relate to function and their emissions/combustion products along with thermal decomposition and combustion products as they relate to fire first responders. Engaging environmental professionals, construction management firms, architects, first respondents, and students, this valuable reference delivers a comprehensive spectrum of knowledge needed to face the challenges of managing building materials in the twenty-first century. Awareness is the first line of defense!

A smart civil structure integrates smart materials, sensors, actuators, signal processors, communication networks, power sources, diagonal strategies, control strategies, repair strategies, and life-cycle management strategies. It should function optimally and safely in its environment and maintain structural integrity during strong winds, severe earthquakes, and other extreme events.This book extends from the fundamentals to the state-of-the-art. It covers the elements of smart civil structures, their integration, and their functions. The elements consist of smart materials, sensors, control devices, signal processors, and communication networks. Integration refers to multi-scale modelling and model updating, multi-type sensor placement, control theory, and collective placement of control devices and sensors. And the functions include structural health monitoring, structural vibration control, structural self-repairing, and structural energy harvesting, with emphasis on their synthesis to form truly smart civil structures. It suits civil engineering students, professionals, and researchers with its blend of principles and practice.