Metaheuristics for Structural Design and Analysis

Still the only book offering comprehensive coverage of the analysis and design of both API equipment and ASME pressure vessels This edition of the classic guide to the analysis and design of process equipment has been thoroughly updated to reflect current practices as well as the latest ASME Codes and API standards. In addition to covering the code requirements governing the design of process equipment, the book supplies structural, mechanical, and chemical engineers with expert guidance to the analysis and design of storage tanks, pressure vessels, boilers, heat exchangers, and related process equipment and its associated external and internal components. The use of process equipment, such as storage tanks, pressure vessels, and heat exchangers has expanded considerably over the last few decades in both the petroleum and chemical industries. The extremely high pressures and temperatures involved with the processes for which the equipment is designed makes it potentially very dangerous to property and life if the equipment is not designed and manufactured to an exacting standard. Accordingly, codes and standards such as the ASME and API were written to assure safety. Still the only guide covering the design of both API equipment and ASME pressure vessels, Structural Analysis and Design of Process Equipment, 3rd Edition: Covers the design of rectangular vessels with various side thicknesses and updated equations for the design of heat exchangers Now includes numerical vibration analysis needed for earthquake evaluation Relates the requirements of the ASME codes to international standards Describes, in detail, the background and assumptions made in deriving many design equations underpinning the ASME and API standards Includes methods for designing components that are not covered in either the API or ASME, including ring girders, leg supports, and internal components Contains procedures for calculating thermal stresses and discontinuity analysis of various components Structural Analysis and Design of Process Equipment, 3rd Edition is an indispensable tool-of-the-trade for mechanical engineers and chemical engineers working in the petroleum and chemical industries, manufacturing, as well as plant engineers in need of a reference for process equipment in power plants, petrochemical facilities, and nuclear facilities.

Structural Analysis and Synthesis  is the best-selling laboratory manual of its kind. Specifically designed to support the laboratory work of undergraduates in structural geology courses, the book helps students analyze the various aspects of geological structures, and to combine their analyses into an overarching synthesis.  This book is intended for use in the laboratory portion of a first course in structural geology.  As is explicit in the title, this book is concerned with both the analysis and synthesis of structural features. In this 4th edition, the focus of this popular manual has been broadened to include a range of new content and features, including:  Video content which demonstrates visually how to perform some of the more challenging structural geology techniques An acknowledgement of the increasing importance of environmental applications of structural geology – vital to students who may go on to pursue careers in the environmental sphere An increased emphasis on quantitative techniques, complete with descriptions of computer program applications Contingent with this quantitative emphasis, the book also outlines the limitations of such techniques, helping students to appropriately apply the techniques and evaluate their trustworthiness  Structural Analysis and Synthesis, 4th edition  is a renowned and widely recognized aid to students in grasping and mastering the techniques required in structural geology, and will find a home wherever the principles and practices of structural geology are taught.

Structural Reliability Analysis and Prediction, Third Edition is a textbook which addresses the important issue of predicting the safety of structures at the design stage and also the safety of existing, perhaps deteriorating structures. Attention is focused on the development and definition of limit states such as serviceability and ultimate strength, the definition of failure and the various models which might be used to describe strength and loading. This book emphasises concepts and applications, built up from basic principles and avoids undue mathematical rigour. It presents an accessible and unified account of the theory and techniques for the analysis of the reliability of engineering structures using probability theory. This new edition has been updated to cover new developments and applications and a new chapter is included which covers structural optimization in the context of reliability analysis. New examples and end of chapter problems are also now included.

Structural Design for Fire Safety, 2nd edition Andrew H. Buchanan, University of Canterbury, New Zealand Anthony K. Abu, University of Canterbury, New Zealand A practical and informative guide to structural fire engineering This book presents a comprehensive overview of structural fire engineering. An update on the first edition, the book describes new developments in the past ten years, including advanced calculation methods and computer programs. Further additions include: calculation methods for membrane action in floor slabs exposed to fires; a chapter on composite steel-concrete construction; and case studies of structural collapses. The book begins with an introduction to fire safety in buildings, from fire growth and development to the devastating effects of severe fires on large building structures. Methods of calculating fire severity and fire resistance are then described in detail, together with both simple and advanced methods for assessing and designing for structural fire safety in buildings constructed from structural steel, reinforced concrete, or structural timber. Structural Design for Fire Safety, 2nd edition bridges the information gap between fire safety engineers, structural engineers and building officials, and it will be useful for many others including architects, code writers, building designers, and firefighters. Key features: • Updated references to current research, as well as new end-of-chapter questions and worked examples. •Authors experienced in teaching, researching, and applying structural fire engineering in real buildings. • A focus on basic principles rather than specific building code requirements, for an international audience. An essential guide for structural engineers who wish to improve their understanding of buildings exposed to severe fires and an ideal textbook for introductory or advanced courses in structural fire engineering.

A presentation of the theory behind the Rayleigh-Ritz (R-R) method, as well as a discussion of the choice of admissible functions and the use of penalty methods, including recent developments such as using negative inertia and bi-penalty terms. While presenting the mathematical basis of the R-R method, the authors also give simple explanations and analogies to make it easier to understand. Examples include calculation of natural frequencies and critical loads of structures and structural components, such as beams, plates, shells and solids. MATLAB codes for some common problems are also supplied.

Textbook covers the fundamental theory of structural mechanics and the modelling and analysis of frame and truss structures Deals with modelling and analysis of trusses and frames using a systematic matrix formulated displacement method with the language and flexibility of the finite element method Element matrices are established from analytical solutions to the differential equations Provides a strong toolbox with elements and algorithms for computational modelling and numerical exploration of truss and frame structures Discusses the concept of stiffness as a qualitative tool to explain structural behaviour Includes numerous exercises, for some of which the computer software CALFEM is used. In order to support the learning process CALFEM gives the user full overview of the matrices and algorithms used in a finite element analysis

This book describes the main classical combinatorial problems that can be encountered when designing a logistics network or driving a supply chain. It shows how these problems can be tackled by metaheuristics, both separately and using an integrated approach. A huge number of techniques, from the simplest to the most advanced ones, are given for helping the reader to implement efficient solutions that meet its needs. A lot of books have been written about metaheuristics (methods for solving hard optimization problems) and supply chain management (the field in which we find a huge number of combinatorial optimization problems) in the last decades. So, the main reason of this book is to describe how these methods can be implemented for this class of problems.

Large surveys are becoming increasingly available for public use, and researchers are often faced with the need to analyse complex survey data to address key scientific issues. For proper analysis it is also important to be aware of the different aspects of the design of complex surveys. Practical Methods for Design and Analysis of Complex Surveys features intermediate and advanced statistical techniques for use in designing and analysing complex surveys. This extensively updated edition features much new material, and detailed practical exercises with links to a Web site, helping instructors and enabling use for distance learning. * Provides a comprehensive introduction to sampling and estimation in descriptive surveys, including design effect statistic and use of auxiliary data. * Includes detailed coverage of complex survey analysis, including design-based ANOVA and logistic regression with GEE estimation. * Contains much new material, including handling of non-sampling errors, and model-assisted estimation for domains. * Features detailed real-li fe case studies, such as multilevel modeling in a multinational educational survey. * Supported by a Web site containing software codes, real data sets, computerized exercises with solutions, and online training materials. Practical Methods for Design and Analysis of Complex Surveys provides a useful practical resource for researchers and practitioners working in the planning, implementation or analysis of complex surveys and opinion polls, including business, educational, health, social, and socio-economic surveys and official statistics. In addition, the book is well suited for use on intermediate and advanced courses in survey sampling.