Bifurcations, Instabilities, Degradation in Geomechanics
Leading international researchers and practitioners of bifurcations and instabilities in geomechanics debate the developments and applications which have occurred over the last few decades. The topics covered include modeling of bifurcation, structural failure of geomaterials and geostructures, advanced analytical, numerical and experimental techniques, and application and development of generalised continuum models etc. In addition analytical solutions, numerical methods, experimental techniques, and case histories are presented. Beside fundamental research findings, applications in geotechnical, petroleum, mining, and bulk materials engineering are emphasised.
Artificial Mind System : Kernel Memory Approach
This book is written from an engineer's perspective of the mind. "Artificial Mind System" exposes the reader to a broad spectrum of interesting areas in general brain science and mind-oriented studies. In this research monograph a picture of the holistic model of an artificial mind system and its behaviour is drawn, as concretely as possible, within a unified context, which could eventually lead to practical realisation in terms of hardware or software. With a view that "the mind is a system always evolving", ideas inspired by many branches of studies related to brain science are integrated within the text, i.e. artificial intelligence, cognitive science / psychology, connectionism, consciousness studies, general neuroscience, linguistics, pattern recognition / data clustering, robotics, and signal processing.
Applied Proof Theory : Proof Interpretations and Their Use in Mathematics
Ulrich Kohlenbach presents an applied form of proof theory that has led in recent years to new results in number theory, approximation theory, nonlinear analysis, geodesic geometry and ergodic theory (among others). This applied approach is based on logical transformations (so-called proof interpretations) and concerns the extraction of effective data (such as bounds) from prima facie ineffective proofs as well as new qualitative results such as independence of solutions from certain parameters, generalizations of proofs by elimination of premises. The book first develops the necessary logical machinery emphasizing novel forms of Gödel's famous functional ('Dialectica') interpretation. It then establishes general logical metatheorems that connect these techniques with concrete mathematics. Finally, two extended case studies (one in approximation theory and one in fixed point theory) show in detail how this machinery can be applied to concrete proofs in different areas of mathematics.
Analysis I
Logical thinking, the analysis of complex relationships, the recognition of und- lying simple structures which are common to a multitude of problems — these are the skills which are needed to do mathematics, and their development is the main goal of mathematics education. Of course, these skills cannot be learned ‘in a vacuum’. Only a continuous struggle with concrete problems and a striving for deep understanding leads to success. A good measure of abstraction is needed to allow one to concentrate on the essential, without being distracted by appearances and irrelevancies. The present book strives for clarity and transparency. Right from the beg- ning, it requires from the reader a willingness to deal with abstract concepts, as well as a considerable measure of self-initiative. For these e?orts, the reader will be richly rewarded in his or her mathematical thinking abilities, and will possess the foundation needed for a deeper penetration into mathematics and its applications.
An Introduction to Structural Optimization
This textbook gives an introduction to all three classes of geometry optimization problems of mechanical structures: sizing, shape and topology optimization. The style is explicit and concrete, focusing on problem formulations and numerical solution methods. The treatment is detailed enough to enable readers to write their own implementations. On the book's homepage, programs may be downloaded that further facilitate the learning of the material covered.
An Introduction to continuous-time stochastic processes : Theory, models, and applications to finance, biology, and medicine
This book is introduction to the theory of continuous-time stochastic processes. A balance of theory and applications, the work features concrete examples of modeling real-world problems from biology, medicine, industrial applications, finance, and insurance using stochastic methods. No previous knowledge of stochastic processes is required. Key topics covered include: * Interacting particles and agent-based models: from polymers to ants * Population dynamics: from birth and death processes to epidemics * Financial market models: the non-arbitrage principle * Contingent claim valuation models: the risk-neutral valuation theory * Risk analysis in insurance
Algorithmic information theory : Mathematics of digital information processing
This book treats the Mathematics of many important areas in digital information processing.It covers, in a unified presentation, five topics: Data Compression, Cryptography, Sampling (Signal Theory), Error Control Codes, Data Reduction. The thematic choices are practice-oriented. So, the important final part of the book deals with the Discrete Cosine Transform and the Discrete Wavelet Transform, acting in image compression. The presentation is dense, the examples and numerous exercises are concrete. The pedagogic architecture follows increasing mathematical complexity.
Algebraic Groups and Lie Groups with Few Factors
Algebraic groups are treated in this volume from a group theoretical point of view and the obtained results are compared with the analogous issues in the theory of Lie groups. The main body of the text is devoted to a classification of algebraic groups and Lie groups having only few subgroups or few factor groups of different type. In particular, the diversity of the nature of algebraic groups over fields of positive characteristic and over fields of characteristic zero is emphasized. This is revealed by the plethora of three-dimensional unipotent algebraic groups over a perfect field of positive characteristic, as well as, by many concrete examples which cover an area systematically. In the final section, algebraic groups and Lie groups having many closed normal subgroups are determined.
Advances in Earthquake Engineering for Urban Risk Reduction
It is the vulnerable buildings - liable to cause damage and loss of life - that need immediate attention and urgent appraisal in order to decide if structural rehabilitation and upgrading are feasible. Current economic, efficient and occupant-friendly rehabilitation techniques vary widely and include the application either of precast concrete panels or layers, strips and patches of fiber reinforced polymers (FRP) in strategic locations. The papers in this book, many by renowned authorities in earthquake engineering, chart new and vital directions of research and application in the assessment and rehabilitation of buildings in seismic regions. While several papers discuss the probabilistic prediction and quantification of structural damage, others present approaches related with the in-situ and occupant friendly upgrading of buildings and propose both economical and practical techniques to address the problem.
Advances in Construction Materials 2007
A compilation of recent research results on building construction materials. The construction industry consumes extreme volumes of material, and the growing demand for quality and safety require continuous improvement of materials and material compositions. A deep understanding of material behavior is essential to enable efficient construction: light-weight or heavily burdened structures ask for the development of innovative composites or new material compositions.
Acoustic Emission Testing : Basics for Research - Applications in Civil Engineering
The book covers all levels from the description of AE basics for AE beginners (level of a student) to sophisticated AE algorithms and applications to real large-scale structures as well as the observation of the cracking process in laboratory specimen to study fracture processes.










