This book systematically introduces readers to the finite element analysis software DIANA (DIsplacement ANAlyzer) and its applications in civil engineering. Developed by TNO Corporation in the 1970s, DIANA is frequently used in civil engineering and engineering mechanics. Unlike the software user’s manual, which provides a comprehensive introduction and theoretical analysis, this book presents a simplified overview of the basic background theory to help beginners master the software quickly. It also discusses GUI operation and the command console in Python language, and includes examples involving classical modeling operations to help readers review each section. Both the book and DIANA itself are valuable resources for students and researchers in all the structural engineering fields, such as civil engineering, bridge engineering, geotechnical engineering, tunnel engineering, underground structural engineering, irrigation, municipal engineering and fire engineering.

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thougtit that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 31 (thesis year 1986) a total of 11 ,480 theses titles trom 24 Canadian and 182 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base tor these titles reported will greatly enhance the value ot this important annual reterence work. While Volume 31 reports theses submitted in 1986, on occasion, certain univer sities do re port theses submitted in previousyears but not reported at the time.

The rapid advances in the nuclear and aerospace technologies in the past two decades compounded with the increasing demands for high performance, energy-efficient power plant components and engines have made reliable thermal stress analysis a critical factor in the design and operation of such equipment. Recently, and as experienced by the author, the need for sophis ticated analyses has been extended to the energy resource industry such as in-situ coal gasification and in-situ oil recovery from oil sands and shales. The analyses in the above applications are of a multidisciplinary nature, and some involve the additional complexity of multiphase and phase change phenomena. These extremely complicated factors preclude the use of classical methods, and numerical techniques such as the finite element method appear to be the most viable alternative solution. The development of this technique so far appears to have concentrated in two extremes; one being overly concerned with the accuracy of results and tending to place all effort in the implementation of special purpose element concepts and computational algorithms, the other being for commercial purposes with the ability of solving a wide range of engineering problems. However, to be versatile, users require substantial training and experience in order to use these codes effectively. Above all, no provision for any modifi cation of these codes by users is possible, as all these codes are proprietary and access to the code is limited only to the owners.