This volume deals with continuum theories of discrete mechanical and thermodynamical systems in the fields of mathematics, theoretical and applied mechanics, physics, materials science and engineering.

The Ninth International Symposium on Transportation and Traffic Theory, held in the Netherlands in July 1984, follows the tradition of broad international information exchange that was developed at the eight previous symposia. Over the years the scope of the symposia has gradually widened to become both more international and more comprehensive than that of the earlier meetings. The Ninth Symposium continues this trend by including papers on a wide range of theoretical issues by leading members of the international research community.

This book bridges a gap between a rigorous mathematical approach to variational problems and the practical use of algorithms of structural optimization in engineering applications. The foundations of structural optimization are presented in sufficiently simple form as to make them available for practical use.

The papers in this proceeding are a collection of the works presented at the IUTAM symposium-Marrakech 2002 (October 20-25) which brought together scientists from various countries. These papers cover contemporary topics in multiscale modeling and characterization of materials behavior of engineering materials. They were selected to focus on topics related to deformation and failure in metals, alloys, intermetallics and polymers including: experimental techniques, deformation and failure mechanisms, dislocation-based modelling, microscopic-macroscopic averaging schemes, application to forming processes and to phase transformation, localization and failure phenomena, and computational advances. Key areas that are covered by some of the papers include modeling of material deformation at various scales. At the atomistic scale, results from MD simulations pertaining to deformation mechanisms in nano-crystalline materials as well as dislocation-defect interactions are presented. Advances in modeling of deformation in metals using discrete dislocation analyses are also presented, providing an insight into this emerging scientific technique that can be used to model deformation at the microscale. These papers address current engineering problems, including deformation of thin fIlms, dislocation behavior and strength during nanoindentation, strength in metal matrix composites, dislocation-crack interaction, development of textures in polycrystals, and problems involving twining and shape memory behavior. On Behalf of the organizing committee, I would like to thank Professor P.

An updated account of the state of the art in the subject, presenting recent progress in two active and related areas of continuum mechanics: fracture mechanics and structured deformations.

The steady increase in computational power induces an equally steady increase in the complexity of the engineering models and associated computer codes. This particularly affects the modeling of the mechanical response of materials. Material behavior is nowadays modeled in the strongly nonlinear range by tak ing into account finite strains, complex hysteresis effects, fracture phenomena and multiscale features. Progress in this field is of fundamental importance for many engineering disciplines, especially those concerned with material testing, safety, reliability and serviceability analyses of engineering structures. In recent years many important achievements have been made in the field of the theoretical formulation, the mathematical analysis and the numerical im plementation of deformation processes in solids. Computational methods and simulation techniques today play a central role in advancing the understanding of complex material behavior. Research in the field of "ComputationalMechan ics of Materials" is concerned with the development of mathematical models and numerical solution techniques for the simulation of material response. It is a very broad interdisciplinary field of science with inputs from traditional fields such as Applied Mechanics, Applied Mathematics, Materials Science, Solid State Physics and Information Technology. The intention of the IUTAM Symposium "Computational Mechanics of Solid Materials at Large Strains", held at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, from August 20-24, 200I, was to give a state of the art and a survey about recent developments in this field and to create perspectives for future research trends.

From the remarkable minds of Sputnik Futures, this visually engaging exploration of the microbes that surround us and how these unseen powerhouses are shaping our future is perfect for readers of I Contain Multitudes and 10% Human. Let’s face it, microbes rule the world! Bacteria, fungi, archaea, protozoa, algae, even viruses—these microorganisms may go unseen, but the impact they have on our lives is unmistakable. From panspermia (the bacteria dust from our galaxy) and the microbiomes of our homes and our environments, to emerging research on microbes’ role in our social emotions of love and empathy, and the realization that we are a superorganism, made up of trillions of bacteria that may be what makes us “human,” the authors take you through a fascinating revelation of how microbial populations play a crucial role in every aspect of our life. Breakthroughs in our understanding of microbes are shaping the frontier of medicine and health, technology, environmentalism, wellness, architecture, and more. Microbes are talking to us, and we are learning to speak to them in turn. For example, did you know: -That the mind and the gut talk to each other? -That your personality may be shaped by your microbiome? -That a lack of biodiversity can make you sick? -That microbes can reverse climate change and reduce plastic waste? -That our first microbes came from the universe, and we are taking our microorganisms back to space? In Thriving with Microbes, the brilliant minds of Sputnik Futures reveal cutting-edge discoveries from biologists, doctors, ecologists, technologists, and thought leaders as they explore the vast network of microorganisms around and within us. With expert voices, bold discoveries, and engaging visuals, this captivating addition to the Alice in Futureland® series is a must-read guide to the vibrant microbial world we inhabit, how it is shaping our individuality, and the miraculous future these microorganisms are showing us.

Modeling Damage, Fatigue and Failure of Composite Materials, Second Edition provides the latest research in the field of composite materials, an area that has attracted a wealth of research, with significant interest in the areas of damage, fatigue, and failure. The book is fully updated, and is a comprehensive source of physics-based models for the analysis of progressive and critical failure phenomena in composite materials. It focuses on materials modeling while also reviewing treatments for analyzing failure in composite structures. Sections review damage development in composite materials such as generic damage and damage accumulation in textile composites and under multiaxial loading. Part Two focuses on the modeling of failure mechanisms in composite materials, with attention given to fiber/matrix cracking and debonding, compression failure, and delamination fracture. Final sections examine the modeling of damage and materials response in composite materials, including micro-level and multi-scale approaches, the failure analysis of composite materials and joints, and the applications of predictive failure models. - Provides a comprehensive source of physics-based models for the analysis of progressive and critical failure phenomena in composite materials - Assesses failure and life prediction in composite materials - Discusses the applications of predictive failure models such as computational approaches to failure analysis - Covers further developments in computational analyses and experimental techniques, along with new applications in aerospace, automotive, and energy (wind turbine blades) fields - Covers delamination and thermoplastic-based composites

Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Scale Modeling This volume contains the works presented at the ninth edition of the International Symposium on Scale Modeling, ISSM9. The symposium brought together 53 scientists from 8 different countries and 3 continents, from both Academia and Research Centers; they participated virtually or in person to present the latest developments and trends in scale application and progress in several engineering fields (mostly in continuum mechanics and fluid dynamics). During the symposium there were 4 keynote talks, the related abstracts are here enclosed. The contents of the talks are about the state-of-the-art of similitude theory and scale modeling and they are useful for any researcher interested in similar topics.