Managing Change in Construction Projects: a knowledge-based approach offers a new perspective on construction project change by viewing the process of change management as a knowledge-intensive activity, where team members bring their tacit and explicit knowledge into the situation; share, create and capture this collective knowledge for future re-use in similar situations. Through this knowledge-based approach, construction teams can successfully resolve and learn from change events, leading to an overall improved performance of the industry. The book will make a significant contribution to our understanding of construction project change by offering new theoretical and practical insights and models grounded in results of case studies conducted within two collaborative construction project team settings. By demonstrating how the social construction of knowledge works in construction settings, the authors challenge the prevailing change management solutions based on ‘hard’ IT approaches. They put forward a balanced view that incorporates both IT–based and socially constructed approaches to effective management of construction project change. helps construction managers to improve and learn through the process of construction project change presents new theoretical models and offers practical guidelines first research-based book to directly address project change from a knowledge-based perspective draws on detailed studies with construction companies, including Ballast Construction and Kier Construction encourages a move from the information driven, process integrated approach to a knowledge-based view
The purpose of this book is to provide a working knowledge and an exposure to cutting edge developments in operation and control of electric energy processing systems. The book focuses on the modeling and control of interdependent communications and electric energy systems, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and the interdisciplinary education component of the EPNES initiative.
An authoritative textbook on construction management offering a clear model for understanding theoretical aspects. The construction industry has become a truly global network of interconnected stakeholders making demands which require the involvement of skilled workforces from all over the world. Construction Management Strategies sets the foundations for understanding and managing construction’s inherent complexity and uniqueness. It establishes clear definitions of commonly accepted terms like built environment, construction, civil engineering, etc. which are often given confusing and conflicting interpretations. It cuts through the plethora of overlapping role titles currently used in the construction sector that make it difficult to establish how projects are actually managed. Construction Management Strategies: Offers a robust and consistent theoretical basis to explain the performance of the main approaches to construction management. Describes corporate and project management in construction as an integrated whole. Provides the basic toolkit a student needs to think through the practical situations they will later face. Helps bring the theory of construction management to international students who struggle to find a solid grounding in this complex and fragmented subject. Includes a companion website featuring a wealth of directly transferable examples for students, as well as PPT slides and topic discussion ideas for lecturers.
CO2 capture and geological storage is seen as the most effective technology to rapidly reduce the emission of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Up until now and before proceeding to an industrial development of this technology, laboratory research has been conducted for several years and pilot projects have been launched. So far, these studies have mainly focused on transport and geochemical issues and few studies have been dedicated to the geomechanical issues in CO2 storage facilities. The purpose of this book is to give an overview of the multiphysics processes occurring in CO2 storage facilities, with particular attention given to coupled geomechanical problems. The book is divided into three parts. The first part is dedicated to transport processes and focuses on the efficiency of the storage complex and the evaluation of possible leakage paths. The second part deals with issues related to reservoir injectivity and the presence of fractures and occurrence of damage. The final part of the book concerns the serviceability and ageing of the geomaterials whose poromechanical properties may be altered by contact with the injected reactive fluid.
This book starts with the basic ideas in uncertainty propagation using Monte Carlo methods and the generation of random variables and stochastic processes for some common distributions encountered in engineering applications. It then introduces a class of powerful simulation techniques called Markov Chain Monte Carlo method (MCMC), an important machinery behind Subset Simulation that allows one to generate samples for investigating rare scenarios in a probabilistically consistent manner. The theory of Subset Simulation is then presented, addressing related practical issues encountered in the actual implementation. The book also introduces the reader to probabilistic failure analysis and reliability-based sensitivity analysis, which are laid out in a context that can be efficiently tackled with Subset Simulation or Monte Carlo simulation in general. The book is supplemented with an Excel VBA code that provides a user-friendly tool for the reader to gain hands-on experience with Monte Carlo simulation. Presents a powerful simulation method called Subset Simulation for efficient engineering risk assessment and failure and sensitivity analysis Illustrates examples with MS Excel spreadsheets, allowing readers to gain hands-on experience with Monte Carlo simulation Covers theoretical fundamentals as well as advanced implementation issues A companion website is available to include the developments of the software ideas This book is essential reading for graduate students, researchers and engineers interested in applying Monte Carlo methods for risk assessment and reliability based design in various fields such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering and nuclear engineering. Project managers, risk managers and financial engineers dealing with uncertainty effects may also find it useful.
Cognitive Radio for Dynamic Spectrum Access gives a comprehensive overview of the main concepts behind radio spectrum regulation, dynamic spectrum access and cognitive radio. Spectrum measurements are introduced to illustrate the inefficiencies in today’s spectrum usage and the book also discusses enablers for horizontal and vertical spectrum sharing. Among others a game-theory-based approach for spectrum sharing is described and evaluated. Institution and standardisation approaches in academic research and industry are highlighted including IEEE SCC41, 802.11k/n/s/y and 802.22 which lead towards commercial exploitation of cognitive radio. In conclusion, this book looks at the initial steps towards the vision of true cognitive radio and the potential impact on telecommunication business. Introduces the benefits and challenges of cognitive radio Presents cognitive radio in research and industry and covers implications for operators from the perspective of a telecom operator Examines how cognitive radio techniques will considerably change the wireless communication market.
Markov Decision Processes (MDPs) are a mathematical framework for modeling sequential decision problems under uncertainty as well as Reinforcement Learning problems. Written by experts in the field, this book provides a global view of current research using MDPs in Artificial Intelligence. It starts with an introductory presentation of the fundamental aspects of MDPs (planning in MDPs, Reinforcement Learning, Partially Observable MDPs, Markov games and the use of non-classical criteria). Then it presents more advanced research trends in the domain and gives some concrete examples using illustrative applications.
A state-of-art guide on the interdisciplinary aspects of design, chemistry, and physical properties of bio-inspired self-healing polymers Inspired by the natural self-healing properties that exist in living organisms—for example, the regenerative ability of humans to heal from cuts and broken bones—interest in self-healing materials is gaining more and more attention. Addressing the broad advances being made in this emerging science, Self-Healing Polymers and Polymer Composites incorporates fundamentals, theory, design, fabrication, characterization, and application of self-healing polymers and polymer composites to describe how to prepare self-healing polymeric materials, how to increase the speed of crack repair below room temperature, and how to broaden the spectrum of healing agent species. Some of the information readers will discover in this book include: Focus on engineering aspects and theoretical backgrounds of smart materials The systematic route for developing techniques and materials to advance the research and applications of self-healing polymers Integration of existing techniques and introduction of novel synthetic approaches and target-oriented materials design and fabrication Techniques for characterizing the healing process of polymers and applications of self-healing polymers and polymer composites Practical aspects of self-healing technology in various industrial fields, such as electronics, automotive, construction, chemical production, and engineering With this book, readers will have a comprehensive understanding of this emerging field, while new researchers will understand the framework necessary for innovating new self-healing solutions.
A unique book with systematic and thorough coverage of HAP related issues, problems and solutions. Handbook of Broadband Communications from High Altitude Platforms provides a thorough overview and state of the art of the HAP enabling technologies, as well as describing recent research activities with most promising results. It outlines the roadmap for future development of HAPs. Focuses on placing HAPs in the perspective of current and future broadband wireless communication systems, providing the readers with an overview of the constraints affecting HAP-based broadband communications Provides a thorough overview of HAP enabling technologies, describes recent research activities with most promising results, and outlines the roadmap for future development of HAPs Covers enabling technologies and economics of HAP-based communication system including issues related to aeronautics, energetics, operating scenarios, applications and business modeling Examines the operating environment, advanced communication techniques for efficient radio link resource management, and suitable antennas Addresses multiplatform constellations, presenting the multiple HAP constellation planning procedure and discussing the networking implications of using multiple HAPs
A comprehensive guide to the design, implementation, and operation of line of sight microwave link systems The microwave Line of Sight (LOS) transport network of any cellular operator requires at least as much planning effort as the cellular infrastructure itself. The knowledge behind this design has been kept private by most companies and has not been easy to find. Microwave Line of Sight Link Engineering solves this dilemma. It provides the latest revisions to ITU reports and recommendations, which are not only key to successful design but have changed dramatically in recent years. These include the methodologies related to quality criteria, which the authors address and explain in depth. Combining relevant theory with practical recommendations for such critical planning decisions as frequency band selection, radio channel arrangements, site selection, antenna installation, and equipment choice, this one-stop primer: Describes the procedure for designing a frequency plan and a channel arrangement structure according to ITU current standards, illustrated with specific application examples Offers analytical examples that illustrate the specifics of calculations and provide order of magnitude for parameters and design factors Presents case studies that describe real-life projects, putting together the puzzle pieces necessary when facing a real design created from scratch Microwave Line of Sight Link Engineering is an indispensable resource for radio engineers who need to understand international standards associated with LOS microwave links. It is also extremely valuable for students approaching the topic for the first time.