The purpose of this book is to bridge the gap between the traditional Geomechanics and Numerical Geotechnical Modelling with applications in science and practice. Geomechanics is rarely taught within the rigorous context of Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics, while when it comes to Numerical Modelling, commercially available finite elements or finite differences software utilize constitutive relationships within the rigorous framework. As a result, young scientists and engineers have to learn the challenging subject of constitutive modelling from a program manual and often end up with using unrealistic models which violate the Laws of Thermodynamics. The book is introductory, by no means does it claim any completeness and state of the art in such a dynamically developing field as numerical and constitutive modelling of soils. The author gives basic understanding of conventional continuum mechanics approaches to constitutive modelling, which can serve as a foundation for exploring more advanced theories. A considerable effort has been invested here into the clarity and brevity of the presentation. A special feature of this book is in exploring thermomechanical consistency of all presented constitutive models in a simple and systematic manner.

Effective measurement of the composition and properties of petroleum is essential for its exploration, production, and refining; however, new technologies and methodologies are not adequately documented in much of the current literature. Analytical Methods in Petroleum Upstream Applications explores advances in the analytical methods and instrumentation that allow more accurate determination of the components, classes of compounds, properties, and features of petroleum and its fractions. Recognized experts explore a host of topics, including: A petroleum molecular composition continuity model as a context for other analytical measurements A modern modular sampling system for use in the lab or the process area to collect and control samples for subsequent analysis The importance of oil-in-water measurements and monitoring The chemical and physical properties of heavy oils, their fractions, and products from their upgrading Analytical measurements using gas chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications Asphaltene and heavy ends analysis Chemometrics and modeling approaches for understanding petroleum composition and properties to improve upstream, midstream, and downstream operations Due to the renaissance of gas and oil production in North America, interest has grown in analytical methods for a wide range of applications. The understanding provided in this text is designed to help chemists, geologists, and chemical and petroleum engineers make more accurate estimates of the crude value to specific refinery configurations, providing insight into optimum development and extraction schemes.

The solution of stress analysis problems through numerical, computer oriented techniques is becoming more and more popular in soil and rock engineering. This is due to the ability of these methods to handle geometrically complex problems even in the presence of highly nonlinear material behaviour, characterizing the majority of soils and rocks, and of media consisting of two or more phases, like saturated and partially saturated soils. Aim of this book is to present to researchers and engineers working in the various branches of geomechanics an updated state of the research on the development and application of numerical methods in geotechnical and foundation engineering. Particular attention is devoted to the formulation of nonlinear material models and to their use for the analysis of complex engineering problems. In addition to the constitutive modelling, other topics discussed concern the use of the finite element and boundary element methods in geomechanics; the dynamic analysis of inelastic and saturated soils; the solution of seepage, consolidation and coupled problems; the analysis of soil-structure interaction problems; the numerical procedures for the interpretation of field measurements; the analysis of tunnels and underground openings.

Reflecting the current research and advances made in the application of numerical methods in geotechnical engineering, this volume details proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on 'Numerical Models in Geomechanics - NUMOG IX' held in Ottawa, Canada, 25-27 August 2004. Highlighting a number of new developments in the area, papers concentrate upon the following four main areas: * constitutive relations for geomaterials * numerical algorithms: formulation and performance * modelling of transient, coupled and dynamic problems * application of numerical techniques to practical problems. Representing the most advanced, modern findings in the field, Numerical Models in Geomechanics is a comprehensive and impeccably-researched text, ideal for students and researchers as well as practising engineers.

In this volume a number of developments on a variety of topics have been reported. These topics include: partially saturated soil; instabilities in soil behaviour; environmental geomechanics; parallel computing; and applications to tunnels, embankments, slopes, foundations and anchors.