Analysis of failure in fiber polymer laminates : the theory of Alfred Puck
This book presents for the first time comprehensively the Theory of Alfred Puck on failure in Fiber Polymer Laminates. After a brief introduction into the failure analysis of laminates and its history, the text focuses first on Puck’s fracture criteria and gives detailed information on their physical background, mathematical derivation and application. Another core part of Puck’s Theory is his concept for Post Failure Analysis. Here, too, the physical background and the analytical procedure are presented. The theoretical chapters are completed by the presentation of the latest developments, namely the consideration of residual stresses and probabilistic effects. The second main part of the book deals with the extensive experimental verification program which has been accomplished since the mid 1990’s. As a result of this work, the Puck Theory can be regarded as better verified than any other theory. All experimental set ups and the major results are presented and explained.
Analysis and Design of Nonlinear Control Systems : In Honor of Alberto Isidori
The chapters in this book cover a significant number of control and systems theory topics and describe a mix of new methodological results, advanced applications, emerging control areas and tutorial works.
An Introduction to Queueing Theory : Modeling and Analysis in Applications
This introductory textbook is designed for a one-semester course on queueing theory that does not require a course in stochastic processes as a prerequisite. By integrating the necessary background on stochastic processes with the analysis of models, the work provides a sound foundational introduction to the modeling and analysis of queueing systems for a broad interdisciplinary audience of students in mathematics, statistics, and applied disciplines such as computer science, operations research, and engineering.
An Introduction to Global Spectral Modeling
Numerical weather prediction is receiving increased attention as weather forecasters aim to improve the numerical models used to forecast the weather. This is a textbook on global spectral modeling, which is an important component for global weather forecasts at numerous operational centers. This book covers all areas of model development including numerical analysis, treatment of clouds, mountains, radiation, precipitation processes, and the surface layers over land and the ocean. The objectives of this book are to provide a systematic and sequential background for students, researchers, and operational weather forecasters in order to develop comprehensive weather forecast models. This is designed for a one semester introductory graduate level course on weather prediction methodologies. As a prerequisite it requires a basic background in meteorology, applied mathematics, and numerical analysis.
An Archaeology of Colonial Identity : Power and Material Culture in the Dwars Valley, South Africa
This book is the based on the work of many people, and while I discuss many of them in the general context of this book in Chapter 1. The backbone of the book is based on a project, 'Farm Lives' conducted between 1999 and 2002, funded exclusively by the McDonald Institute for Archaeolog-ical Research at the University of Cambridge.
Algebraic Methods for Nonlinear Control Systems
A self-contained introduction to algebraic control for nonlinear systems suitable for researchers and graduate students.The most popular treatment of control for nonlinear systems is from the viewpoint of differential geometry yet this approach proves not to be the most natural when considering problems like dynamic feedback and realization. Professors Conte, Moog and Perdon develop an alternative linear-algebraic strategy based on the use of vector spaces over suitable fields of nonlinear functions. This algebraic perspective is complementary to, and parallel in concept with, its more celebrated differential-geometric counterpart.Algebraic Methods for Nonlinear Control Systems describes a wide range of results, some of which can be derived using differential geometry but many of which cannot.
Algebra : Fields with structure, algebras and advanced topics
The present textbook is a lively, problem-oriented and carefully written introduction to classical modern algebra. The author leads the reader through interesting subject matter, while assuming only the background provided by a first course in linear algebra. The first volume focuses on field extensions. Galois theory and its applications are treated more thoroughly than in most texts. It also covers basic applications to number theory, ring extensions and algebraic geometry. The main focus of the second volume is on additional structure of fields and related topics. Much material not usually covered in textbooks appears here, including real fields and quadratic forms, the Tsen rank of a field, the calculus of Witt vectors, the Schur group of a field, and local class field theory.
Advances in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles : State of the Art and the Road to Autonomy
There has been tremendous emphasis in unmanned aerial vehicles, both of fixed (airplanes) and rotary wing (vertical take off and landing, helicopters) types over the past ten years. Applications span both civilian and military domains, the latter being the most important at this stage. This edited book provides a solid and diversified reference source related to basic, applied research and development on small and miniature unmanned aerial vehicles, both fixed and rotary wing. As such, the book offers background information on the evolution of such vehicles over the years, followed by modeling and control fundamentals that are of paramount importance due to unmanned aerial vehicle model complexity, nonlinearity, coupling, inhirent instability and parameter values uncertainty. Aspects of navigation, including visual-based navigation and target tracking are discussed, followed by applications to attitude estimation on micro unmanned aerial vehicles, autonomous solar unmanned aerial vehicle, biomimetic sensing for autonomous flights in near-earth environments, localization of air-ground wireless sensor networks, decentralized formation tracking, design of an unmanned aerial vehicle for volcanic gas sampling and design of an on-board processing controller for miniature helicopters.
Advances in Sensing with Security Applications
The chapters in this volume were presented at the July 2005NATO Advanced Study Institute on Advances in Sensing with Security App- cations. The ASI was divided into three broadly de?ned but interrelated areas: the - creasing need for fast and accurate sensing, the scienti?c underpinnings of the ongoing revolution in sensing, and speci?c sensing algorithms and techniques. The ASI brought together world leaders from academia, government, andindustry,withextensivemultidisciplinarybackgroundsevidencedby theirresearchandparticipationinnumerousworkshopsandconferences.
Advanced strategies in control systems with Input and Output Constraints
The different techniques described throughout the book are particularly attractive for industrial applications not only in aeronautical or space domains but also in the context of biological systems domain. Such methods are well suited for the development of tools that help engineers to solve analysis and synthesis problems in the context of control systems with input and output constraints
Advanced Microsystems for Automotive Applications 2005 ; 1st ed.
The book accompanying the event has demonstrated to be an efficient instrument for the diffusion of new concepts and technology results. The present volume including the papers of the AMAA 2005 gives an overview on the state-of-the-art and outlines imminent and mid-term R&D perspectives. The 2005 publication reflects – as in the past – the current state of discussions within industry. More than the previous publications, the AMAA 2005 "goes back" to the technological requirements and indispensable developments for fulfilling the market needs. The large part of contributions dealing with sensors as well as "sensor technologies and data fusion" is exemplary for this tendency.
Advanced Man-Machine Interaction : Fundamentals and Implementation
Man-machine interaction is the gateway providing access to functions and services, which, due to the ever increasing complexity of smart systems, threatens to become a bottleneck. This book therefore introduces not only advanced interfacing concepts, but also gives insight into the related theoretical background.This refers mainly to the realization of video-based multimodal interaction via gesture, mimics, and speech, but also to interacting with virtual object in virtual environments, cooperating with local or remote robots, and user assistance. this book puts special emphasis on implementation aspects. To this end it is accompanied by software development environments for image processing, classification, and virtual environment implementation. In addition a test data base is included for gestures, head pose, facial expressions, full-body person recognition, and people tracking.
Advanced control of industrial processes : structures and algorithms
Advanced Control of Industrial Processes presents the concepts and algorithms of advanced industrial process control and on-line optimisation within the framework of a multilayer structure. Relatively simple unconstrained nonlinear fuzzy control algorithms and linear predictive control laws are covered, as are more involved constrained and nonlinear model predictive control (MPC) algorithms and on-line set-point optimisation techniques.Advances in Industrial Control aims to report and encourage the transfer of technology in control engineering. The rapid development of control technology has an impact on all areas of the control discipline. The series offers an opportunity for researchers to present an extended exposition of new work in all aspects of industrial control.
Adaptronics and Smart Structures : Basics, Materials, Design, and Applications
Adaptronic structures and systems can adapt automatically to variable operating and environmental conditions through the use of feedback control. But in contrast to conventional control loops, in which each function is fulfilled by a separate component, adaptronics is characterized by multifunctional components that are preferably integrated into the structure or the system. The goal is a lightweight and simple construction for conserving material and energy resources. The authors of this book have taken on the task of displaying the current state of the art in this highly modern and strongly interdisciplinary field. Selected application examples are also presented and current development trends demonstrated.
Adaptive Backstepping Control of Uncertain Systems : Nonsmooth Nonlinearities, Interactions or Time-Variations
This book employs the powerful and popular adaptive backstepping control technology to design controllers for dynamic uncertain systems with non-smooth nonlinearities.
Acid in the Environment : Lessons Learned and Future Prospects
This book is the result of a conference held biannually at the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies at Connecticut College.is a collection of essays that blends the research findings and the policy analyses of individuals from different academic disciplines with the positions advanced by representatives of NGOs. Acid in the Environment: Lessons Learned and Future Prospects presents a broad approach to the study of acid deposition, exposing readers with a scientific background to significant policy issues and those with a policy orientation to important ecological impacts. The book raises important questions that will serve as a springboard for discussion between diverse groups of teachers and students, concerned citizens and legislators, and scientists and policy makers.
A Taste of Topology
The present book grew out of notes for an introductory topology course at the University of Alberta. It provides a concise introduction to set-theoretic topology (and to a tiny little bit of algebraic topology). Great care has been devoted to the selection of examples that are not self-serving, but already accessible for students who have a background in calculus and elementary algebra, but not necessarily in real or complex analysis.
A Roadmap for Formal Property Verification
This book develops the answers to these questions and fits them into a roadmap for formal property verification – a roadmap that shows how to glue FPV technology into the traditional validation flow. A Roadmap for Formal Property Verification explores the key issues in this powerful technology through simple examples – you do not need any background on formal methods to read most parts of this book.
A Problem-based Approach for Management Education : Preparing Managers for Action
This book is designed to provide both novice and experienced users of PBL with resources for designing and implementing problem-based management education. The book provides the novice with useful theoretical and practical background on how to design a PBL curriculum, use PBL in a classroom, and develop PBL materials. At the same time, the book will challenge experienced users of PBL and case teaching to extend their applications through the use of learning technologies and more systematic approaches to assessment and curriculum design. Finally, the volume includes a set of sample PBL materials that provide readers with in-dept examples of what a PBL unit looks like and how it may be employed in the classroom.
A Modern Introduction to Probability and Statistics : Understanding Why and How
A Modern Introduction to Probability and Statistics has numerous quick exercises to give direct feedback to the students. In addition the book contains over 350 exercises, half of which have answers, of which half have full solutions. A website at www.springeronline.com/1-85233-896-2 gives access to the data files used in the text, and, for instructors, the remaining solutions. The only pre-requisite for the book is a first course in calculus; the text covers standard statistics and probability material, and develops beyond traditional parametric models to the Poisson process, and on to useful modern methods such as the bootstrap.



















