In Stochastic Dynamics of Structures, Li and Chen present a unified view of the theory and techniques for stochastic dynamics analysis, prediction of reliability, and system control of structures within the innovative theoretical framework of physical stochastic systems. The authors outline the fundamental concepts of random variables, stochastic process and random field, and orthogonal expansion of random functions. Readers will gain insight into core concepts such as stochastic process models for typical dynamic excitations of structures, stochastic finite element, and random vibration analysis. Li and Chen also cover advanced topics, including the theory of and elaborate numerical methods for probability density evolution analysis of stochastic dynamical systems, reliability-based design, and performance control of structures. Stochastic Dynamics of Structures presents techniques for researchers and graduate students in a wide variety of engineering fields: civil engineering, mechanical engineering, aerospace and aeronautics, marine and offshore engineering, ship engineering, and applied mechanics. Practicing engineers will benefit from the concise review of random vibration theory and the new methods introduced in the later chapters. «The book is a valuable contribution to the continuing development of the field of stochastic structural dynamics, including the recent discoveries and developments by the authors of the probability density evolution method (PDEM) and its applications to the assessment of the dynamic reliability and control of complex structures through the equivalent extreme-value distribution.» —A. H-S. Ang, NAE, Hon. Mem. ASCE, Research Professor, University of California, Irvine, USA «The authors have made a concerted effort to present a responsible and even holistic account of modern stochastic dynamics. Beyond the traditional concepts, they also discuss theoretical tools of recent currency such as the Karhunen-Loeve expansion, evolutionary power spectra, etc. The theoretical developments are properly supplemented by examples from earthquake, wind, and ocean engineering. The book is integrated by also comprising several useful appendices, and an exhaustive list of references; it will be an indispensable tool for students, researchers, and practitioners endeavoring in its thematic field.» —Pol Spanos, NAE, Ryon Chair in Engineering, Rice University, Houston, USA
This manual for civil and structural engineers aims to simplify as much as possible a complex subject which is often treated too theoretically, by explaining in a practical way how to provide uncomplicated, buildable and economical foundations. It explains simply, clearly and with numerous worked examples how economic foundation design is achieved. It deals with both straightforward and difficult sites, following the process through site investigation, foundation selection and, finally, design. The book: includes chapters on many aspects of foundation engineering that most other books avoid including filled and contaminated sites mining and other man-made conditions features a step-by-step procedure for the design of lightweight and flexible rafts, to fill the gap in guidance in this much neglected, yet extremely economical foundation solution concentrates on foundations for building structures rather than the larger civil engineering foundations includes many innovative and economic solutions developed and used by the authors’ practice but not often covered in other publications provides an extensive series of appendices as a valuable reference source. For the Second Edition the chapter on contaminated and derelict sites has been updated to take account of the latest guidelines on the subject, including BS 10175. Elsewhere, throughout the book, references have been updated to take account of the latest technical publications and relevant British Standards.
This major handbook covers the structural use of brick and blockwork. A major feature is a series of step-by-step design examples of typical elements and buildings. The book has been revised to include updates to the code of practice BS 5628:2000-2 and the 2004 version of Part A of the Building Regulations. New information on sustainability issues, innovation in masonry, health and safety issues and technical developments has been added.
This book breaks new ground by creating a framework to understand clients’ actions and needs. Most construction management books focus on improving the construction process; this one focuses on a better engagement with the client. It challenges conceptions of both the construction industry and clients’ businesses so that a more effective process and greater client satisfaction can be achieved. The book suggests that ‘buildings are not about building but about changing and developing the client’. The technical, organisational and psychological aspects of this are described and analysed in detail so that current experience can be explained and better practice determined. The book offers well-researched information about clients in a number of sectors – developers, supermarkets, NHS, government, airports and housing associations – which will help you understand what these client’s business or service needs are and how construction fits into this. It demonstrates how to develop an appreciation of the client’s perspective with a toolkit for ensuring successful client engagement. This makes Understanding the Construction Client a user-friendly and practical guide, as well as significant text for academia.
A key problem facing the construction industry is that all work is done by transient project teams, and in the past there has been no structured approach to learning from projects once they are completed. Now, though, the industry is adapting concepts of knowledge management to improve the situation. This book brings together 13 contributors from research and industry to show how managing construction knowledge can bring real benefits to organisations and projects. It covers a wide range of issues, from basic definitions and fundamental concepts, to the role of information technology, and engendering a knowledge sharing culture. Practical examples from construction and other industry sectors are used throughout to illustrate the various dimensions of knowledge management. The challenges of implementing knowledge management are outlined and the ensuing benefits highlighted.
Published on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Building and endorsed by a range of construction industry institutes, this book explains the underlying concepts of value and risk, and how they relate to one another. It describes the different issues to be addressed in a variety of circumstances and at all stages of a project's life and reviews a number of commonly used and effective techniques, showing how these may be adapted to suit individuals' styles and circumstances. * Published on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Building with cross-industry institutional support * Combines value and risk management which are often considered, wrongly, in isolation * Makes a complicated subject accessible to a wide audience of construction practitioners * Features checklists and proformas to aid implementation of best practice * Author has extensive practical experience of the subject
Whole life-cycle costing (WLCC) is rapidly becoming the standard method for the long-term cost appraisal of buildings and civil infrastructure projects. With clients now demanding buildings that demonstrate value for money over the long term, WLCC has become an essential tool for those involved in the design, construction, operation and risk analysis of construction projects. Whole-life costing: risk and risk responses offers a thorough grounding in both the theory and practical application of WLCC. Part I deals with the fundamentals, providing the general background to appreciate WLCC concepts and whole life risk management techniques at the key decision-making milestones through a project’s life. Part II covers the design stage, including service life forecasting and environmental life-cycle assessment techniques in WLCC. Practical frameworks both for assessing whole life risks and risk responses, as well as guidance on developing WLCC budget estimates are also developed. In Part III, the authors consider WLCC during the construction and operations stages, with a strong emphasis upon risk analysis methods and dynamic WLCC assessment. With its mixture of established theory, best practice and innovative approaches, this book will help you make more accurate assessments of the long-term cost effectiveness of projects by: providing a thorough grounding in the theory of WLCC demonstrating how decision-making uncertainty can be reduced by basing choices on sound risk management principles identifying a systematic approach to planning the post-occupancy costs.
With accelerating change towards globalisation, the efficacy of design solutions not embedded within regional culture has been prone to failure – technically, socially and economically. Environmental problems and questions surrounding how to achieve a sustainable built environment are now posing urgent challenges to built environment practitioners and researcher. However, international cooperation in setting targets and standards as well as an increasing exchange of environmental information and practices present designers, clients and occupants with new problems that comprise local needs and the built environment. This book addresses the role regional culture play in the successful (or otherwise) process of exchanging and adapting environmental practices and standards in the built environment. Using the specific case of the design of environmentally sound buildings, the book identifies a number of issues from different perspectives: The conflict between regionally appropriate environmental building practices within a global technical and economic context. How human, social and cultural expectations limit technological advances and performance improvements. To what extent information on environmentally progressive buildings can be transferred across cultures without compromising regional and local practices. Which ideas travel successfully between regions – generic principles, specific ideas or specific solutions? How the idea of regional identity is being redefined as the process of globalisation both widens and accelerates.
Health Monitoring of Bridges prepares the bridge engineering community for the exciting new technological developments happening in the industry, offering the benefit of much research carried out in the aerospace and other industrial sectors and discussing the latest methodologies available for the management of bridge stock. Health Monitoring of Bridges: Includes chapters on the hardware used in health monitoring, methodologies, applications of these methodologies (materials, methods, systems and functions), decision support systems, damage detection systems and the rating of bridges and methods of risk assessment. Covers both passive and active monitoring approaches. Offers directly applicable methods and as well as prolific examples, applications and references. Is authored by a world leader in the development of health monitoring systems. Includes free software that can be downloaded from http://www.samco.org/ and provides the raw data of benchmark projects and the key results achieved. This book provides a comprehensive guide to all aspects of the structural health monitoring of bridges for engineers involved in all stages from concept design to maintenance. It will also appeal to researchers and academics within the civil engineering and structural health monitoring communities.
Dispute boards were first introduced almost 20 years ago. Since then close to $100 billion US dollars worldwide has been spent on construction projects that have used dispute boards. Of these, 98% were constructed without any court battles and of the remaining 2%, the dispute board decisions were upheld by either arbitration and/or the court: a truly impressive record. Yet very little is known about what dispute boards are and how they operate. This book provides the knowledge necessary for those actively involved in dispute board work as well as for those who need to learn the process. Important features of the book include: analysis of the differences between dispute adjudication boards, dispute resolution boards and combined dispute boards in-depth discussion of both the existing and historical international case law on dispute boards, including its history under the British common law, European civil law and Muslim Sharī’ah law analysis of the differences between the various major standard forms of dispute board rules – FIDIC, International Chamber of Commerce and DBFederation – along with sample wording to add to or modify these forms as needed. analysis of how referrals are made to dispute boards and sample forms. an in-depth discussion of the ethical requirements relating to dispute board members comparison of board selection techniques with guidelines for implementation and recommendations for the parties sample forms for use in establishing a dispute board discussion of site visits, how they should be conducted and sample forms general forms for use in operating a dispute board, form agendas, form reports and their use how to use a dispute board as a sounding board for grievances in depth discussion of how to write a decision or recommendation with examples of actual dispute board decisions and recommendations disclosure forms, questionnaires for potential board members, and comparison of board member agreements and sample forms a discussion of how to effectively use witnesses and the preparation and presentation of witness statements in dispute board hearings forms of notice and procedural rules governing the operation of dispute boards international case studies with claims, responses and decisions analysis of situations requiring the removal of dispute board members and form agreements for their removal discussion of the use of dispute boards in areas other than construction.