Laboratory tests were conducted on selected granular materials to determine the velocities of propagation of the shear and compression waves and to evaluate the internal damping. Test variables included the confining pressure, amplitude of vibration, void ratio of the material, saturation, and grain size. Resonant column tests were used for wave velocity evaluation, and the vibration decay method and static torsion tests were used to determine damping. The granular materials used were Ottawa standard sand, two sizes of glass spheres, and a crushed quartz. Confining pressure had the most significant effect on velocities of wave propagation, with velocities increasing about with the 1/4 power of the confining pressure. Damping determined from the decay o steady state vibrations behaved like viscous damping. The values of logarithmic decrement varied from about 0.02 to 0.20 for these materials and test conditions. Higher values of logarithmic decrement were found in the static torsion tests because tresses up to 75 per cent of the failure conditions were used. (Author).

Recent developments in information processing systems have driven the advancement of computational methods in the engineering realm. New models and simulations enable better solutions for problem-solving and overall process improvement. The Handbook of Research on Advanced Computational Techniques for Simulation-Based Engineering is an authoritative reference work representing the latest scholarly research on the application of computational models to improve the quality of engineering design. Featuring extensive coverage on a range of topics from various engineering disciplines, including, but not limited to, soft computing methods, comparative studies, and hybrid approaches, this book is a comprehensive reference source for students, professional engineers, and researchers interested in the application of computational methods for engineering design.

Elastic Wave Propagation in Structures and Materials initiates with a brief introduction to wave propagation, different wave equations, integral transforms including fundamentals of Fourier Transform, Wavelet Transform, Laplace Transform and their numerical implementation. Concept of spectral analysis and procedure to compute the wave parameters, wave propagation in 1-D isotropic waveguides, wave dispersion in 2-D waveguides is explained. Wave propagation in different media such as laminated composites, functionally graded structures, granular soils including non-local elasticity models is addressed. The entire book is written in modular form and analysis is performed in frequency domain. Features: Brings out idea of wave dispersion and its utility in the dynamic responses. Introduces concepts as Negative Group Speeds, Einstein’s Causality and escape frequencies using solid mathematical framework. Discusses the propagation of waves in materials such as laminated composites and functionally graded materials. Proposes spectral finite element as analysis tool for wave propagation. Each concept/chapter supported by homework problems and MATLAB/FORTRAN codes. This book aims at Senior Undergraduates and Advanced Graduates in all streams of engineering especially Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Sponsored by the Geo-Institute of ASCE This collection of 78 historical papers provides a wide view of the rich body of literature that documents the development of fundamental concepts geotechnical engineering and their application to practical problems. From the highly theoretical to the elegantly practical, the papers in this one-of-a-kind collection are significant for their contributions to the geotechnical engineering literature. Among the writings of more than 60 geotechnical engineering pioneers are several by Karl Terzaghi, widely known as the father of soil mechanics, R.R. Proctor, Arthur Casagrande, and Ralph Peck. Many of these papers contain information as useful today as when they were first written. Others provide great insight into the origins and development of the field and the thought processes of its leaders.