Building Services Engineering focuses on how the design-construction interface and how the design intent is handled through the construction stage to handover and in the short term thereafter.Part One sets the scene by describing the stakeholders involved in the construction stage and the project management context.Part Two focuses specifically on the potential roles and responsibilities of building services engineers during construction and post-construction.
Gas Treating: Absorption Theory and Practice provides an introduction to the treatment of natural gas, synthesis gas and flue gas, addressing why it is necessary and the challenges involved. The book concentrates in particular on the absorption–desorption process and mass transfer coupled with chemical reaction. Following a general introduction to gas treatment, the chemistry of CO2, H2S and amine systems is described, and selected topics from physical chemistry with relevance to gas treating are presented. Thereafter the absorption process is discussed in detail, column hardware is explained and the traditional mass transfer model mechanisms are presented together with mass transfer correlations. This is followed by the central point of the text in which mass transfer is combined with chemical reaction, highlighting the associated possibilities and problems. Experimental techniques, data analysis and modelling are covered, and the book concludes with a discussion on various process elements which are important in the absorption–desorption process, but are often neglected in its treatment. These include heat exchange, solution management, process flowsheet variations, choice of materials and degradation of absorbents. The text is rounded off with an overview of the current state of research in this field and a discussion of real-world applications. This book is a practical introduction to gas treating for practicing process engineers and chemical engineers working on purification technologies and gas treatment, in particular, those working on CO2 abatement processes, as well as post-graduate students in process engineering, chemical engineering and chemistry.
Practical Field Robotics: A Systems Approach is an introductory book in the area of field robotics. It approaches the subject with a systems design methodology, showing the reader every important decision made in the process of planning, designing, making and testing a field robot. Key features: • Takes a practical approach to field robotics, presenting the design and implementation of a robot from start to end • Provides multiple robot examples including those used in in nuclear service, underground coal mining and mowing • Bridges the gap between existing mathematically based texts and the real work that goes on in research labs all over the world • Establishes a structured approach to thinking about hardware and software design • Includes problems and is accompanied by a website providing supporting videos and additional problems
The book begins with a chapter on traditional methods of supervised learning, covering recursive least squares learning, mean square error methods, and stochastic approximation. Chapter 2 covers single agent reinforcement learning. Topics include learning value functions, Markov games, and TD learning with eligibility traces. Chapter 3 discusses two player games including two player matrix games with both pure and mixed strategies. Numerous algorithms and examples are presented. Chapter 4 covers learning in multi-player games, stochastic games, and Markov games, focusing on learning multi-player grid games—two player grid games, Q-learning, and Nash Q-learning. Chapter 5 discusses differential games, including multi player differential games, actor critique structure, adaptive fuzzy control and fuzzy interference systems, the evader pursuit game, and the defending a territory games. Chapter 6 discusses new ideas on learning within robotic swarms and the innovative idea of the evolution of personality traits. • Framework for understanding a variety of methods and approaches in multi-agent machine learning. • Discusses methods of reinforcement learning such as a number of forms of multi-agent Q-learning • Applicable to research professors and graduate students studying electrical and computer engineering, computer science, and mechanical and aerospace engineering
The practical, clear, and concise guide for conducting experimental modal tests Modal Testing: A Practitioner's Guide outlines the basic information necessary to conduct an experimental modal test. The text draws on the author’s extensive experience to cover the practical side of the concerns that may arise when performing an experimental modal test. Taking a hands-on approach, the book explores the issues related to conducting a test from start to finish. It covers the cornerstones of the basic information needed and summarizes all the pertinent theory related to experimental modal testing. Designed to be accessible, Modal Testing presents the most common excitation techniques used for modal testing today and is filled with illustrative examples related to impact testing which is the most widely used excitation technique for traditional experimental modal tests. This practical text is not about developing the details of the theory but rather applying the theory to solve real-life problems, and: • Delivers easy to understand explanations of complicated theoretical concepts • Presents basic steps of an experimental modal test • Offers simple explanations of methods to obtain good measurements and avoid the common blunders typically found in many test approaches • Focuses on the issues to be faced when performing an experimental modal test • Contains full-color format that enhances the clarity of the figures and presentations Modal Testing: A Practitioner's Guide is a groundbreaking reference that treats modal testing at the level of the practicing engineer or a new entrant to the field of experimental dynamic testing.
Now in it's 3rd Edition, Industrial Catalysis offers all relevant information on catalytic processes in industry, including many recent examples. Perfectly suited for self-study, it is the ideal companion for scientists who want to get into the field or refresh existing knowledge. The updated edition covers the full range of industrial aspects, from catalyst development and testing to process examples and catalyst recycling. The book is characterized by its practical relevance, expressed by a selection of over 40 examples of catalytic processes in industry. In addition, new chapters on catalytic processes with renewable materials and polymerization catalysis have been included. Existing chapters have been carefully revised and supported by new subchapters, for example, on metathesis reactions, refinery processes, petrochemistry and new reactor concepts. «I found the book accesible, readable and interesting – both as a refresher and as an introduction to new topics – and a convenient first reference on current industrial catalytic practise and processes.» Excerpt from a book review for the second edition by P. C. H. Mitchell, Applied Organometallic Chemistry (2007)
Foundations of Fuzzy Control: A Practical Approach, 2nd Edition has been significantly revised and updated, with two new chapters on Gain Scheduling Control and Neurofuzzy Modelling. It focuses on the PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative) type controller which is the most widely used in industry and systematically analyses several fuzzy PID control systems and adaptive control mechanisms. This new edition covers the basics of fuzzy control and builds a solid foundation for the design of fuzzy controllers, by creating links to established linear and nonlinear control theory. Advanced topics are also introduced and in particular, common sense geometry is emphasised. Key features Sets out practical worked through problems, examples and case studies to illustrate each type of control system Accompanied by a website hosting downloadable MATLAB programs Accompanied by an online course on Fuzzy Control which is taught by the author. Students can access further material and enrol at the companion website Foundations of Fuzzy Control: A Practical Approach, 2nd Edition is an invaluable resource for researchers, practitioners, and students in engineering. It is especially relevant for engineers working with automatic control of mechanical, electrical, or chemical systems.
A «must-have» for materials engineers, chemists, physicists, and geologists, this is one of the first «coffee-table» books in the field of glass science. Containing over fifty beautiful micrographs, the book reflects 35 years of original research by a highly regarded authority in the field. It contains 50 slides culled from tens of thousands of images on glass crystal nucleation, growth, and crystallization. The images represent glass crystallization mechanisms, including internal, surface, homogeneous, heterogeneous, and eutectic, crystal nucleation and growth.
The book introduces in particular foundation methods and methods of securing level changes in terrain. The description of calculation and dimensioning with examples are a valuable orientation aid for those working in design and as technical experts.
Das Buch vermittelt alle wichtigen Aspekte uber den Aufbau und die Eigenschaften des Bodens, die bei der Planung und Berechnung sowie bei der Begutachtung von Schaden des Systems Bauwerk-Baugrund zu berucksichtigen sind. Schwerpunkte sind die Baugrunderkundung, die Ermittlung von Bodenkennwerten im Labor sowie die Behandlung von Setzungs- und Tragfahigkeitsnachweisen einschlie?lich des Erddrucks. Alle Darstellungen basieren auf dem aktuellen technischen Regelwerk. Zahlreiche Beispiele, die nachvollziehbar erlautert werden, sowie eine gro?e Anzahl von Hinweisen auf den Umgang mit den zu beachtenden Normen und weiterfuhrende Literatur erleichtern das Verstandnis. Das Buch ist eine unverzichtbare Orientierungshilfe in der taglichen Planungs- und Gutachterpraxis und erleichtert den Umgang mit dem neuen Regelwerk.