the Nest of Students

Makoto Ohsaki ... 439 pages - Publisher: CRC Press; 1st edition (July, 2010) ... Language: English - ISBN-10: 1439820031 - ISBN-13: 978-1439820032 ...

Originally developed for mechanical and aeronautical engineering, structural optimization is not so easily applied to civil and architectural engineering, as structures in these fields are not mass products, but more often unique structures planned in accordance with specific design requirements. The shape and geometry of such structures are determined by a designer or an architect in view of nonstructural performance that includes aesthetics. Until now, books in this area gave little help to engineers working in cooperation with designers, as they covered conceptual material with little consideration of civil engineering applications, or they required a solid background in applied mathematics and continuum mechanics, an area not usually studied by practicing engineers and students in civil engineering. Optimization of Finite Dimensional Structures introduces methodologies and applications that are closely related to design problems encountered in structural optimization, to serve as a bridge between the communities of structural optimization in mechanical engineering and the researchers and engineers in civil engineering. This unparalleled, self-contained work: Provides readers with the basics of optimization of frame structures, such as trusses, building frames, and long-span structures, with descriptions of various applications to real-world problems. Summarizes the historical development of methodologies and theorems on optimization of frame structures. Introduces many recently developed highly efficient optimization techniques presented with illustrative examples. Describes traditional problems with constraints on limit loads, member stresses, compliance, and eigenvalues of vibration, all in detail. Offers a unique look at optimization results for spatial trusses and latticed domes. Mathematical preliminaries and methodologies are summarized in the book’s appendix, so that readers can attend to the details when needed without having to wade through tedious mathematics in the explanatory main chapters. Instead, small examples that can be solved by hand or by using a simple program are presented in these chapters, making the book readily accessible and highly useful for both classroom use and professional self-study.

Barzin Mobasher ... 473 pages - Publisher: CRC Press; 1st edition (September, 2011) ... Language: English - ISBN-10: 1439806608 - ISBN-13: 978-1439806609 ... 

Among all building materials, concrete is the most commonly used―and there is a staggering demand for it. However, as we strive to build taller structures with improved seismic resistance or durable pavement with an indefinite service life, we require materials with better performance than the conventional materials used today. Considering the enormous investment in public infrastructure and society’s need to sustain it, the need for new and innovative materials for the repair and rehabilitation of civil infrastructure becomes more evident. These improved properties may be defined in terms of carbon footprint, life-cycle cost, durability, corrosion resistance, strength, ductility, and stiffness. Addressing recent trends and future directions, Mechanics of Fiber and Textile Reinforced Cement Composites presents new opportunities for developing innovative and cost-effective materials and techniques in cement and concrete composites manufacturing, testing, and design. The book offers mathematical models, experimental results, and computational algorithms for efficient designs with fiber and textile reinforced composite systems. It explores alternative solutions using blended cements, innovative reinforcing systems, natural fibers, experimental characterization of key parameters used for design, and optimized designs. Each chapter begins with a detailed introduction, supplies a thorough overview of the existing literature, and sets forth the reasoning behind the experimentation and theory. Documenting the composite action of fibers and textiles, the book develops and explains methods for manufacturing and testing cement composites. Methods to design and analyze structures for reduced weight, increased durability, and minimization of cement use are also examined. The book demonstrates that using a higher volume fraction of fiber systems can result in composites that are quasi-elastic plastic. Speaking to the need to optimize structural performance and sustainability in construction, this comprehensive and cohesive reference requires readers to rethink the traditional design and manufacturing of reinforced concrete structures.