Boundary-integral equation analysis of twisted internally cracked axisymmetric bimaterial elastic solids

 Green's function is obtained for the infinite bimaterial elastic solid, containing an internal circular interface crack, loaded by a unit tangential co-axial circular source. An axisymmetric direct boundary integral equation (BIE) is used for the analysis of a finite bimaterial axisymmetric body containing an internal circular interface crack and a finite homogeneous cracked cylinder, both under torsional loading. Using the proposed technique, no discretization of the crack surface is necessary. Numerical results for both examples as obtained by the proposed method are presented and discussed. Received: 29 October 2001 / Accepted: 29 May 2002     

The scope of artificial neural network metamodels for precision casting process planning

Precision investment casting process planning has been tackled in the past according to experience. Recently, casting simulation software is being increasingly used to predict product quality by implementing ‘what-if’ scenarios. Input parameters include relatively simple factors such as mould temperature, melting temperature, casting material. They also include factors whose influence is more complex to quantify, such number and location of feeding points, diameter and length of inflow channels, angle of channel with respect to the main sprue axis. Simulation results cannot help the engineer for workpieces other than the one simulated. In this paper a series of feedforward artificial neural network (ANN) models is presented aiming at such generalisation. To achieve this, a large number of software simulation runs were conducted for a number of different small parts, with varying runner geometry and casting conditions. The parameters characterising part geometry have been chosen to be surface area and volume-to-area ratio. The different ANN models predictive capabilities are reflected to the respective training and generalisation errors. A user-friendly interface has been conducted for model execution in a complete application, whose main virtue is expandability.     

Selection of TBM and geotechnical assessment of a microtunnel in a difficult geological environment: a case of a natural gas pipeline beneath an active landslide (Albania)

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - This present paper presents an adopted methodology for Micro Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) selection, based on the results of a...     

Reviews

DROUGHT AND FAMINE IN ETHIOPIA Editor: Abdul Mejid Hussein. African Environment Special Report No. 2, The International African Institute, London, 1976,121 pp. £1.50.

HEDGING (A Practical conservation handbook) Alan Brooks, The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, The Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, London, 1975. 117 pp. £2.10 inc. postage.

THREE JOURNALS Habitat: Published by : The Council for Nature, The Zoological Gardens, Regents Park, NW1 4RY. At £2.50, or £5.00 per annum.

Recreation News: Published by: The Countryside Commission , John Dower House, Crescent Place, Cheltenham, Glos., GL50 3RA.

The International Journal of Environmental Studies: Published by : Gordon Breach Science Publishers Ltd., 42 William IV Street. London, W.C.2. £17.50 for individuals, £35.00 for Libraries. Habitat

A HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE J.J. Bagley, Phillimore & Co. Ltd., London & Chichester 1976. 128 pp. £4.95.     

JNSM Volume 10 (2002) Reviewers

Authors Index

JNSM Volume 10 (2002) Reviewers     

An overview of 21 global and 43 regional land-cover mapping products

Land-cover (LC) products, especially at the regional and global scales, comprise essential data for a wide range of environmental studies affecting biodiversity, climate, and human health. This review builds on previous compartmentalized efforts by summarizing 23 global and 41 regional LC products. Characteristics related to spatial resolution, overall accuracy, time of data acquisition, sensor used, classification scheme and method, support for LC change detection, download location, and key corresponding references are provided. Operational limitations and uncertainties are discussed, mostly as a result of different original modelling outcomes. Upcoming products are presented and future prospects towards increasing usability of different LC products are offered. Despite the common realization of product usage by non-experts, the remote-sensing community has not fully addressed the challenge. Algorithmic development for the effective representation of inherent product limitations to facilitate proper usage by non-experts is necessary. Further emphasis should be placed on international coordination and harmonization initiatives for compatible LC product generation. We expect the applicability of current and future LC products to increase, especially as our environmental understanding increases through multi-temporal studies.     

Policy conflict analysis for diffserv quality of service management

Policy-based management provides the ability to (re-)configure differentiated services networks so that desired Quality of Service (QoS) goals are achieved. This requires implementing network provisioning decisions, performing admission control, and adapting bandwidth allocation to emerging traffic demands. A policy-based approach facilitates flexibility and adaptability as policies can be dynamically changed without modifying the underlying implementation. However, inconsistencies may arise in the policy specification. In this paper we provide a comprehensive set of QoS policies for managing Differentiated Services (DiffServ) networks, and classify the possible conflicts that can arise between them. We demonstrate the use of Event Calculus and formal reasoning for the analysis of both static and dynamic conflicts in a semi-automated fashion. In addition, we present a conflict analysis tool that provides network administrators with a user-friendly environment for determining and resolving potential inconsistencies. The tool has been extensively tested with large numbers of policies over a range of conflict types.     

A Programmable Framework for the Deployment of Services and Protocols in Mobile Ad Hoc Networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are characterized by their heterogeneity and the diverse capabilities of their nodes given that almost any device with a wireless network interface can join such a network. In such an environment it is difficult to dynamically deploy services and protocols without a common understanding among the participating nodes and their capabilities. A deployment/provisioning framework must cope with the high-level of device heterogeneity, degree of mobility, and should also take into account the potentially limited device resources. This paper presents a context-based programmable framework for dynamic service/protocol deployment that allows the nodes of a mobile ad hoc network to download and safely activate required service/protocol software dynamically. Downloading and activation can be triggered through preconditions evaluated according to available contextual information. This strategy leads to the alignment of the nodes' capabilities so that common services and protocols can be deployed even if they are not available at every node. In addition, dynamic context-driven deployment may lead to a degree of network self-optimization. We present the programmable framework and functionality and evaluate its various aspects through testbed experimentation, simulation and analytical modeling. The results demonstrate good performance with respect to the supported functionality.