This book introduces a trans-scale framework necessary for the physical understanding of breakdown behaviors and presents some new paradigm to clarify the mechanisms underlying the trans-scale processes. The book, which is based on the interaction of mechanics and statistical physics, will help to deepen the understanding of how microdamage induces disaster and benefit the forecasting of the occurrence of catastrophic rupture. It offers notes and problems in each part as interesting background and illustrative exercises. Readers of the book would be graduate students, researchers, engineers working on civil, mechanical and geo-engineering, etc. However, people with various background but interested in disaster reduction and forecasting, like applied physics, geophysics, seismology, etc., may also be interested in the book.

The IUTAM Symposium on Rheology of Bodies with Defects was held in Beijing in September, 1997. It was aimed at the development of Rheology in Solid Mechanics. Rheology is classified in Applied Mechanics Review under fluid mechanics, however, in its broadest content as was envisaged in its earlier days, it covers the whole spectrum of material behavior from elasticity, plasticity, and fluid mechanics to gas dynamics. It was thought of as a branch of continuum mechanics, but emphasized the physical aspects of different materials, and frequently proceeded from basic physical principles. As the temperature rises, the distinction between solid and fluid, and the distinction between their micro-mechanical movements, become blurred. The physical description of such materials and their movements must be based on the thermodynamic principles of state variable theory; the classical division between solid and fluid mechanics disappears. Under the classification adopted by Applied Mechanics Reviews, the subjects dealt with in this symposium come closer to viscoelasticity and viscoplasticity, especially close to the subdivision of creep dealing with creep rupture. The symposium focused at building a bridge between macroscopic and microscopic research on damage and fracture behavior of defective bodies made of metal, polymer, composite and other viscoelastic materials. Two different approaches are presented at the symposium. The first is a continuum damage theory for time-dependent evolution of defects at the macro/meso/microscopic levels.

When dealing with rock in civil engineering, mining engineering and other engineering, the process by which the rock fails under load should be understood, so that safe structures can be built on and in the rock. However, there are many ways for loading rock and rock can have a variety of idiosyncracies. This reference book provides engineers and researchers with the essential knowledge for a clear understanding of the process of rock failure under different conditions. It contains an introductory chapter explaining the role of rock failure in engineering projects plus a summary of the theories governing rock failure and an explanation of the computer simulation method. It subsquently deals in detail with explaining, simulating and illustrating rock failure in laboratory and field. The concluding chapter discusses coupled modelling and the anticipated future directions for this type of computer simulation. An appendix describing the RFPA numerical model (Rock Failure Process Analysis program) is also included. About the Authors Chun'an Tang has a PhD in Mining Engineering and is a Professor at the School of Civil & Hydraulic Engineering at Dalian University of Technology in China. He is an advisor for design and stablity problem modelling in mining and civil rock engineeringand and Chairman of the China National Group of the International Society for Rock Mechanics. John Hudson is emeritus professor at Imperial College, London and is active as an independant consultant for Rock Engineering Consultants. He has a PhD in Rock Mechanics and completed over a 130 rock engineering consulting assignments in mining and civil engineering. He is a fellow at the Royal Academy of Engineering in the UK and President of the International Society for Rock Mechanics.

High-Entropy Alloys, Second Edition provides a complete review of the current state of the field of high entropy alloys (HEA). Building upon the first edition, this fully updated release includes new theoretical understandings of these materials, highlighting recent developments on modeling and new classes of HEAs, such as Eutectic HEAs and Dual phase HEAs. Due to their unique properties, high entropy alloys have attracted considerable attention from both academics and technologists. This book presents the fundamental knowledge, the spectrum of various alloy systems and their characteristics, key focus areas, and the future scope of the field in terms of research and technological applications. - Provides an up-to-date, comprehensive understanding on the current status of HEAs in terms of theoretical understanding and modeling efforts - Gives a complete idea on alloy design criteria of various classes of HEAs developed so far - Discusses the microstructure property correlations in HEAs in terms of structural and functional properties - Presents a comparison of HEAs with other multicomponent systems, like intermetallics and bulk metallic glasses

This book describes how, given the global challenge of a shortage of natural resources in the 21st century, the recycling of waste concrete is one of the most important means of implementing sustainable construction development strategies. Firstly, the book presents key findings on the micro- and meso-structure of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC), while the second part focuses on the mechanical properties of RAC: the strength, elastic modulus, Poisson’s ratio, stress-strain curve, etc. The third part of the book explores research on the durability of RAC: carbonization, chloride penetration, shrinkage and creep. It then presents key information on the mechanical behavior and seismic performance of RAC elements and structures: beams, columns, slabs, beam-column joints, and frames. Lastly, the book puts forward design guidelines for recycled aggregate concrete structures. Taken as a whole, the research results – based on a series of investigations the author has condu cted on the mechanical properties, durability and structural performance of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) over the past 10 years – demonstrate that, with proper design and construction, it is safe and feasible to utilize RAC structures in civil engineering applications. The book will greatly benefit researchers, postgraduates, and engineers in civil engineering with an interest in this field.

This book presents select proceedings of the International Conference on Advanced Lightweight Materials and Structures (ICALMS) 2020, and discusses the triad of processing, structure, and various properties of lightweight materials. It provides a well-balanced insight into materials science and mechanics of both synthetic and natural composites. The book includes topics such as nano composites for lightweight structures, impact and failure of structures, biomechanics and biomedical engineering, nanotechnology and micro-engineering, tool design and manufacture for producing lightweight components, joining techniques for lightweight structures for similar and dissimilar materials, design for manufacturing, reliability and safety, robotics, automation and control, fatigue and fracture mechanics, and friction stir welding in lightweight sandwich structures. The book also discusses latest research in composite materials and their applications in the field of aerospace, construction, wind energy, automotive, electronics and so on. Given the range of topics covered, this book can be a useful resource for beginners, researchers and professionals interested in the wide ranging applications of lightweight structures.