This important textbook provides an introduction to the concepts of the newly developed extended finite element method (XFEM) for fracture analysis of structures, as well as for other related engineering applications. One of the main advantages of the method is that it avoids any need for remeshing or geometric crack modelling in numerical simulation, while generating discontinuous fields along a crack and around its tip. The second major advantage of the method is that by a small increase in number of degrees of freedom, far more accurate solutions can be obtained. The method has recently been extended to nonlinear materials and other disciplines such as modelling contact and interface, simulation of inclusions and holes, moving and changing phase problems, and even to multiscale analyses. The book is self contained, with summaries of both classical and modern computational techniques. The main chapters include a comprehensive range of numerical examples describing various features of XFEM.
The JCT standard forms of building contract require a thorough understanding of their procedural requirements, as well as their legal implications. They require both the contractor and the architect, on behalf of the employer, to send a wide range of notices and letters if each party is to protect its legitimate interests. The main contract forms are also supported by complex sub-contract documentation. Therefore, it is not surprising that when this book of specimen letters, notices and forms was first published, it was widely welcomed by the construction industry. The book provides examples of documentation likely to be required for a contract under the following JCT forms: ? the Standard Form of Building Contract ? the Intermediate Form of Building Contract ? the Agreement for Minor Building Works ? the Standard Form of Building Contract With Contractor's Design It includes a commentary on the practical implications of the various documents and highlights the points to be watched. The new edition takes into account the wide range of amendments to the latest editions of the standard forms following the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act 1996, and in particular, the new payment and adjudication provisions. For the first time it features documentation for use with the JCT design and build form.
This book is the first in a series of volumes that combine conservation philosophy in the built environment with knowledge of traditional materials, and structural and constructional conservation techniques and technology: • Understanding Historic Building Conservation • Materials & Skills in Historic Building Conservation • Structures & Construction in Historic Building Conservation The series aims to introduce each aspect of conservation and to provide concise, basic and up-to-date knowledge for architects, surveyors and engineers as well as for commissioning client bodies, managers and advisors. In each book, Michael Forsyth draws together chapters by leading architects, structural engineers and related professionals to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of conservation work. The books are structured to be of direct practical application, taking the reader through the process of historic building conservation and emphasising throughout the integrative teamwork involved. This present volume – Understanding Historic Building Conservation – discusses conservation philosophy and the importance of understanding the history of a building before making strategic decisions. It details the role of each conservation team member and sets out the challenges of conservation at planning level in urban, industrial and rural contexts and in the conservation of designed landscapes. The framework of legislation and charters within which these operate is described and the book also provides guidance on writing conservation plans, explains the fundamental issues of costing and contracts for conservation and highlights the importance of maintenance. Eighteen chapters written by the experts present today’s key issues in historic building conservation: Timothy Cantell, Martin Cherry, Nigel Dann, Peter Davenport, Geoff Evans, Keith Falconer, Colin Johns, Jeremy Lake, Jonathan Lovie, Duncan McCallum, James Maitland Gard’ner, Martin Robertson, Adrian Stenning, David H. Tomback, Giles Waterfield, Philip Whitbourn, John Winter.
The construction industry has not had a good record on health and safety and faces tough legal and financial penalties for breaches of the law. This book provides a unique resource for all those who construct or procure the construction of projects of all sizes and in all countries and for clients who need to keep abreast of their own and their contractors' responsibilities. It gives practical guidance on best practice, including: measuring performance and recording information developing a safety policy and method statements assessing risk training and understanding people the basics of the construction/environment interface The book addresses several topics not found in other reference works, discussing techniques of health and safety and basic environmental management as applied to the industry. It uniquely provides 50 quick reference guides setting out solutions to common problems. These include falls, manual and mechanical handling, work with asbestos and noise. It also summarises the main UK legal requirements on construction safety and health and includes a number of useful checklists and model forms. Written by a very experienced health and safety practitioner, who is also author of the highly successful IOSH book Principles of Health and Safety at Work, this book will be welcomed by all responsible for health and safety. It will also provide an excellent text for the NEBOSH (National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health) Construction Safety and Health national certificate.
Adjudication was introduced in construction contracts as a requirement of the Housing Grants, Construction and Regeneration Act in 1998 to tackle the large number of disputes which dog most projects. Provisions for adjudication are now included in all standard construction forms and are implied into all construction contracts that do not expressly include them. When adjudication was first launched there were enormous uncertainties about how it would work in practice, and books published to coincide with the launch could only speculate on this. This new guide, written by a construction lawyer and experienced adjudicator, is the first to explain how adjudication is actually working in practice. It covers all the major court decisions which have clarified enforcement, adjudicator errors and problems such as definition of construction contracts, jurisdiction, insolvency, natural justice and human rights. It also deals with the complex requirements of the legislation regarding payment terms. This will provide a highly readable, but authoritative guide for all involved in adjudications, whether contracts directors, construction consultants, lawyers or adjudicators.
The ICE Conditions continues to be the dominant form of contract for civil engineering, despite the growing importance of the New Engineering Contract. The Seventh Edition of the ICE Conditions, published in 1999, introduced a number of changes, including: ? incorporating some of the concepts of the Latham Report ? amending certain provisions of the Sixth Edition which had attracted criticism ? rectifying conspicuous omissions from the text of earlier editions of the contract ? correcting small errors and faults from the previous edition ? modernising certain provisions and terms Brian Eggleston, whose previous book on the ICE Conditions was described as 'likely to become the authoritative reference source for the Sixth Edition', examines the contract clause by clause from a practical and legal viewpoint. There is extensive coverage of case law. Written by an experienced civil engineer and recognized authority on construction contracts, this book is an essential guide.
This book reviews the general theory of strategy, relates it to the particular circumstances of the construction industry, and shows how it can be applied in practice. It brings together ideas from economics, marketing, management, business and politics to develop strategic management for both contractors' firms and the associated professions. Substantial changes have occurred in the industry since the book was first published in 1991. This Second Edition reflects the major developments that have followed the Latham and Egan reports, and includes new chapters on international strategy and marketing, showing how they can contribute to the strategic planning of construction organizations. The book will provide a valuable tool for the strategic development of construction firms. «Ten years separate the editions during which period a significant number of British, (and other), construction firms which had survived generations of proprietors merged, changed beyond recognition or ceased trading. One can not but wonder if publication of a work on strategic planning some twenty year earlier might have saved some of them.» Construction Manager «The book presents the essential elements for managing at this higher level and should be a must for any construction professional who aspires to an executive position in industry as well as any student for construction management, project management and organizational management in construction. It comes highly recommended» Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management
Written by a group of acoustics and vibration specialists, this book studies the acoustic and vibrating phenomena that occur in diverse materials used for all kinds of purposes. The first part studies the fundamental aspects of propagation: analytical, numerical and experimental. The second part outlines industrial and medical applications. Covering a wide range of topics that associate materials science with acoustics, this will be of invaluable use to researchers, engineers, or practitioners in this field, as well as students in acoustics, physics, and mechanics.
Fire safety is a major concern in many industries, particularly as there have been significant increases in recent years in the quantities of hazardous materials in process, storage or transport. Plants are becoming larger and are often situated in or close to densely populated areas, and the hazards are continually highlighted with incidents such as the fires and explosions at the Piper Alpha oil and gas platform, and the Enschede firework factory. As a result, greater attention than ever before is now being given to the evaluation and control of these hazards. In a comprehensive treatment of the subject unavailable elsewhere, this book describes in detail the applications of hazard and risk analysis to fire safety, going on to develop and apply quantification methods. It also gives an explanation in quantitative terms of improvements in fire safety in association with the costs that are expended in their achievement. Furthermore, a quantitative approach is applied to major fire and explosion disasters to demonstrate crucial faults and events. Featuring: Full international coverage and a review of several major fires and explosion disasters. Presentation of the properties and science of fire including the latest research. Detailed coverage of the performance of fire safety measures. This is an essential book for practitioners in fire safety engineering, loss prevention professionals, technical personnel in insurance companies as well as academics involved in fire science and postgraduate students. This book is also a useful reference for fire safety officers, building designers, engineers in the process industries, safety practitioners and risk assessment consultants.
Examining artificial membranes in terms of biocompatibility, drug delivery and controlled release, this book illustrates how existing membrane technologies are being exploited and advanced in emerging medical applications. This work, edited by internationally recognized experts, has author contributions from prominent members of this field who discuss details of all aspects of this technology. This volume provides broad, yet detailed information on synthetic membranes and their applications, including dialysis and artificial kidneys, gas exchange, artificial lungs, devices to assist liver function, and membrane affinity chromatography.