The book teaches engineers many new things about a classical topic which suddenly is again in the center of interest because of its relevance for finite element analysis, for the accuracy of computational methods. It shows that influence functions play a fundamental role in the finite element analysis of structures and practically all of linear computational mechanics. It also strives to add new and important insights into modern structural analysis and into computational mechanics by establishing the central role of influence functions for the numerical analysis and to lay a new foundation to the energy and variational principles.

This extended and revised second edition is intended for engineering students and researchers working with finite element methods in structural and mechanical analysis. Discussing numerical structural analysis from first mechanical and mathematical principles, it establishes the central role of influence functions (Green's functions) in finite element analysis, reanalysis, sensitivity analysis, parameter identification and in optimization, with a particular focus on computational aspects and questions of accuracy. It also presents a one-click reanalysis, a new technique that allows instantaneous modifications to a structure to be made by clicking on single elements. Lastly, the book features four programs that can be downloaded for the solution of the Poisson equation, 2-D elasticity, plate-bending problems and planar frames.

This extended and revised second edition is intended for engineering students and researchers working with finite element methods in structural and mechanical analysis. Discussing numerical structural analysis from first mechanical and mathematical principles, it establishes the central role of influence functions (Green's functions) in linear computational mechanics. The main features of the book are mentioned below. · Introducing Green's first and second identity as the core theorems of statics and mechanics. Formulation of the variational and energy principles of mechanics with an emphasis on the computational aspects and on the qualitative features of variational solutions. · Derivation of influence functions from duality principles, the distinction between weak and strong influence functions, the difference between monopoles and dipoles and how amputated dipoles lead to singularities, and how singularities on the boundary pollute the solution inside the domain - an unavoidable effect in 2-D and 3-D. · A detailed discussion of the various features of the finite element method and the key role of the notion of "shake-equivalence" as originally introduced by Turner et alt. Establishing that in linear finite element analysis the accuracy depends on the accuracy of the influence functions. Introducing Betti extended as a core theorem of finite element analysis. · A systematic treatment of the role which Green's functions play in reanalysis, sensitivity analysis, parameter identification and in optimization. Explaining why averaging material parameters succeeds and how local stiffness changes can be identified with the action of equilibrium forces f+. · Presenting a new technique, one-click reanalysis, which allows to make modifications to a structure by clicking on single elements and seeing directly the new shape, bypassing the need to solve the modified system. · Four programs for the solution of the Poisson equation, 2-D elasticity, plate-bending problems and planar frames are offered for download in this second edition. These are all-purpose programs but with a particular emphasis on influence functions. The frame program also demonstrates one-click reanalysis.

An effective technique for data analysis in the social sciences The recent explosion in longitudinal data in the social sciences highlights the need for this timely publication. Latent Curve Models: A Structural Equation Perspective provides an effective technique to analyze latent curve models (LCMs). This type of data features random intercepts and slopes that permit each case in a sample to have a different trajectory over time. Furthermore, researchers can include variables to predict the parameters governing these trajectories. The authors synthesize a vast amount of research and findings and, at the same time, provide original results. The book analyzes LCMs from the perspective of structural equation models (SEMs) with latent variables. While the authors discuss simple regression-based procedures that are useful in the early stages of LCMs, most of the presentation uses SEMs as a driving tool. This cutting-edge work includes some of the authors' recent work on the autoregressive latent trajectory model, suggests new models for method factors in multiple indicators, discusses repeated latent variable models, and establishes the identification of a variety of LCMs. This text has been thoroughly class-tested and makes extensive use of pedagogical tools to aid readers in mastering and applying LCMs quickly and easily to their own data sets. Key features include: Chapter introductions and summaries that provide a quick overview of highlights Empirical examples provided throughout that allow readers to test their newly found knowledge and discover practical applications Conclusions at the end of each chapter that stress the essential points that readers need to understand for advancement to more sophisticated topics Extensive footnoting that points the way to the primary literature for more information on particular topics With its emphasis on modeling and the use of numerous examples, this is an excellent book for graduate courses in latent trajectory models as well as a supplemental text for courses in structural modeling. This book is an excellent aid and reference for researchers in quantitative social and behavioral sciences who need to analyze longitudinal data.

We all like to know how reliable and how risky certain situations are, and our increasing reliance on technology has led to the need for more precise assessments than ever before. Such precision has resulted in efforts both to sharpen the notions of risk and reliability, and to quantify them. Quantification is required for normative decision-making, especially decisions pertaining to our safety and wellbeing. Increasingly in recent years Bayesian methods have become key to such quantifications. Reliability and Risk provides a comprehensive overview of the mathematical and statistical aspects of risk and reliability analysis, from a Bayesian perspective. This book sets out to change the way in which we think about reliability and survival analysis by casting them in the broader context of decision-making. This is achieved by: Providing a broad coverage of the diverse aspects of reliability, including: multivariate failure models, dynamic reliability, event history analysis, non-parametric Bayes, competing risks, co-operative and competing systems, and signature analysis. Covering the essentials of Bayesian statistics and exchangeability, enabling readers who are unfamiliar with Bayesian inference to benefit from the book. Introducing the notion of “composite reliability”, or the collective reliability of a population of items. Discussing the relationship between notions of reliability and survival analysis and econometrics and financial risk. Reliability and Risk can most profitably be used by practitioners and research workers in reliability and survivability as a source of information, reference, and open problems. It can also form the basis of a graduate level course in reliability and risk analysis for students in statistics, biostatistics, engineering (industrial, nuclear, systems), operations research, and other mathematically oriented scientists, wherein the instructor could supplement the material with examples and problems.

Provides state-of-the-art coverage for the researcher confronted with designing and executing a simulation study using continuous multivariate distributions. Concise writing style makes the book accessible to a wide audience. Well-known multivariate distributions are described, emphasizing a few representative cases from each distribution. Coverage includes Pearson Types II and VII elliptically contoured distributions, Khintchine distributions, and the unifying class for the Burr, Pareto, and logistic distributions. Extensively illustrated--the figures are unique, attractive, and reveal very nicely what distributions ``look like.'' Contains an extensive and up-to-date bibliography culled from journals in statistics, operations research, mathematics, and computer science.

A comprehensive text and reference bringing together advances in the theory of probability and statistics and relating them to applications. The three major categories of statistical models that relate dependent variables to explanatory variables are covered: univariate regression models, multivariate regression models, and simultaneous equations models. Methods are illustrated with worked examples, complete with figures that display code and output.