Silenced Rivers: The Ecology and Politics of Large Dams

Entirely updated in light of the recent World Commission on Dams Report, and responding to it, this new edition of Patrick McCully's now classic study shows why large dams have become such a controversial technology in both industrialized and developing countries. He explores the wide-ranging ecological impacts of large dams, the human consequences, the organization of the dam-building industry, and the role-played by international banks and aid agencies in promoting it. He also looks as the extensive technical, safety, and economic problems associated with large dams. New in this edition, the author tells the story of the rapid growth of the international anti-dam movement, and suggests alternative methods of supplying the services supposedly provided by large dams.

Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil Integrated Bridge System, Synthesis Report

This report is the second in a two-part series to provide engineers with the necessary background knowledge of Geosynthetic Reinforced Soil (GRS) technology and its fundamental characteristics as an alternative to other construction methods. It supplements the interim implementation manual (FHWA-HRT-11-026), which outlines the design and construction of the GRS Integrated Bridge System (IBS). The research behind the proposed design method is presented along with case histories to show the performance of in-service GRS-IBS and GRS walls.

Finite Rotation Shells: Basic Equations and Finite Elements for Reissner Kinematics

ABOUT THIS BOOK
This book covers theoretical and computational aspects of non-linear shells. Several advanced topics of shell equations and finite elements, not included in standard textbooks on finite elements, are addressed.

Key features include: several sets of 3D equations with the rotations introduced by either the polar decomposition equation or the rotation constraint equation; shell equations based on Reissner kinematics for finite rotations and strains, formulated in terms of different strains and stresses; a comprehensive account of finite rotations, including their properties and parameterization, as well as the algorithmic issues pertaining to rotation parameters; a comprehensive description and evaluation of several enhanced, mixed, and mixed/enhanced 4-node elements; a selection of useful remedies for such problems as: poor accuracy of in-plane shear strain, transverse shear locking, over-stiffening of warped elements, locking in sinusoidal bending, and deterioration of accuracy for extremely thin elements; a large set of numerical benchmarks for finite rotation shells; an extensive bibliography and comprehensive index.

Shells have been a subject of the author’s research for years, and all the methods described in the book have been implemented and tested in the field.

The book can be useful for graduate students, professional engineers, and researchers specializing in shells, Finite Elements and applied numerical methods.

Content Level » Research

Keywords » computational mechanics - finite elements - finite rotation shells - four-node shell elements - reissner kinematics

Related subjects » Mathematical & Computational Methods - Mechanics

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Proviosional Table of contents (October 2009)

I PRELIMINARIES; 1 Introduction; 1.1 Subject of this book; 1.2 Notation; 2 Operations on tensors and their representations; 2.1 Cartesian bases; 2.2 Normal bases; 2.3 Gradients and derivatives; II SHELL EQUATIONS; 3 Rotations for 3D Cauchy continuum; 3.1 Polar decomposition of deformation gradient; 3.2 Rotation Constraint equation; 3.3 Interpretation of rotation Q; 3.4 Rate form of RC equation ; 3.5 Rotations calculated from the RC equation; 4 3D formulations with rotations; 4.1 Governing equations; 4.2 4-F formulation for nominal stress; 4.3 3-F formulation for nominal stress; 4.4 3-F and 2-F formulations for Biot stress; 4.5 3-F and 2-F formulations for 2nd Piola-Kirchhoff stress; 4.6 2-F formulation with unconstrained rotations; 5 Basic geometric definitions for shells; 5.1 Coordinates and position vector; 5.2 Basic geometric definitions; 5.3 Example: Geometrical description of cylinder; 6 Shells with Reissner kinematics and drilling rotation; 6.1 Kinematics; 6.2 Rotation Constraint for shells; 6.3 Shell strains; 6.4 Virtual work equation for shell; 6.5 Local shell equations; 6.6 Enhanced shell kinematics; 7 Shell-type constitutive equations; 7.1 Constitutive equations for 3D shells; 7.2 Reduced shell constitutive equations; 7.3 Shear correction factor; III FINITE ROTATIONS FOR SHELLS; 8 Parametrization of finite rotations; 8.1 Basic properties of rotations; 8.2 Parametrization of rotations; 8.3 Composition of rotations; 9 Algorithmic schemes for finite rotations; 9.1 Increments of rotation vectors in two tangent planes; 9.2 Variation of rotation tensor; 9.3 Algorithmic schemes for finite rotations; 9.4 Angular velocity and acceleration; IV FOUR-NODE SHELL ELEMENTS; 10 Basic relations for 4-node shell elements; 10.1 Bilinear isoparametric approximations; 10.2 Geometry and bases of shell element ; 10.3 Jacobian matrices; 10.4 Deformation gradient, FTF and QTF products; 10.5 Numerical integration of shell elements; 10.6 Newton method and tangent operator; 11 Plane 4-node elements (without drilling rotation); 11.1 Basic equations; 11.2 Displacement element Q4; 11.3 Solution of FE equations for problems with additional variables; 11.4 Enhanced strain elements based on potential energy; 11.5 Mixed Hellinger-Reissner and Hu-Washizu elements; 11.6 Modification of FTF product; 12 Plane 4-node elements with drilling rotation; 12.1 Basic relations for drill RC equation; 12.2 Difficulties in approximation of drill RC; 12.3 Implementation of drill RC in finite elements; 12.4 EADG method for formulations with rotations; 12.5 Mixed HW and HR functionals with rotations; 12.6 2D+drill elements for bi-linear shape functions; 12.7 2D+drill elements for Allman shape functions; 12.8 Numerical tests; 13 Modification of transverse shear stiffness of shell element; 13.1 Treatment of transverse shear stiffness of beams ; 13.2 Treatment of transverse shear stiffness of shell; 14 Warped 4-node shell element; 14.1 Definition of warpage ; 14.2 Warped element with modifications; 14.3 Substitute flat element and warpage correction; 14.4 Membrane locking of curved shell elements ; 14.5 Remarks on approximation of curved surfaces by 4-node elements ; V NUMERICAL EXAMPLES; 15 Numerical tests; 15.1 Characteristics of tested shell elements; 15.2 Elementary and linear tests; 15.3 Nonlinear tests; References; Author index; Subject Index

Geoenvironmental Engineering: Contaminated Soils, Pollutant Fate, and Mitigation (New Directions in Civil Engineering)

SETRA : Loading tests on road bridges and footbridges

Eco- and Ground Bio-Engineering: The Use of Vegetation to Improve Slope Stability

ABOUT THIS BOOK
In an era where climate change, natural catastrophes and land degradation are major issues, the conservation of soil and vegetation in mountainous or sloping regions has become an international priority. How to avoid substrate mass movement through landslides and erosion using sustainable and ecologically sound techniques is rapidly becoming a scientific domain where knowledge from many different fields is required. These proceedings bring together papers from geotechnical and civil engineers, biologists, ecologists and foresters, who discuss current problems in slope stability research, and how to address those problems using ground bio- and eco-engineering techniques.

Ground bioengineering methods integrate civil engineering techniques with natural materials to obtain fast, effective and economic methods of protecting, restoring and maintaining the environment whereas eco-engineering has been defined as a long-term ecological strategy to manage a site with regard to natural or man-made hazards. Studies on slope instability, erosion, soil hydrology, mountain ecology, land use and restoration and how to mitigate these problems using vegetation are presented by both scientists and practitioners. Papers encompass many aspects of this multidisciplinary subject, including the mechanisms and modelling of root reinforcement and the development of decision support systems, areas where significant advances have been made in recent years.

Content Level » Research

Related subjects » Earth Sciences & Geography - Ecology - Environmental Management - Forestry - Soil Science

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Mechanisms and modelling of root reinforcement on slopes
The influence of cellulose content on tensile strength of tree roots; M. Genet, A. Stokes, F. Salin, S.B. Mickovski, T. Fourcaud, J-F. Dumail, L.P.H. van Beek
Novel biomechnical analysis of plant roots; O. Hamza, A.G. Bengough, M.F. Bransby, M.C.R. Davies, C. Halpin, .D. Hallett
Root reinforcement: Analysis and experiments; T.H. Wu
Root strength and root area of forest species in Lombardy (Northern Italy); G.B. Bischetti, E.A. Chiaradia, T. Simonato, B. Speziali, B. Vitali, P. Vullo, A. Zocco
Biotechnical characteristics of root systems of typical Mediterranean species; C. Mattia, G.B. Bischetti, F. Gentile
Uprooting of vetiver resistance of vetiver grass (Vetiveria zizanioides); S.B. Mickovski, L.P.H van Beek, F. Salin
Root reinforcement by hawthorn and oak roots on a highway cut-slope in Southern England; J.E. Norris
Protection roles of forest and non-forest woody species on slopes in Iran; G.H. Bibalani, B. Majnonian, E. Adeli, H. Sanii
Reinforcement of tree roots in slope stability: a case study from the Ozawa slope in Iwate Prefecture, Japan; H. Nakamura, Q.M. Nghiem, N. Iwasa
Observation and simulation of root reinforcement on abandoned Mediterranean slopes; L.P.H. van Beek, J. Wint, L.H. Cammeraat, J.P. Edwards
Slope stabilisation by perennial "gramineae" in Southern Italy: plant growth and temporal performance; D. Cazzuffi, A. Corneo, E. Crippa
Root system morphology and anchorage
Root system asymmetry of Mediterranean pines; P. Ganatsas, I. Spanos
Root morphology, stem growth and field performance of seedlings of two Mediterranean evergreen oak species raised in different container types; M. Tsakaldimi, T. Zagas, T. Tsitsoni, P. Ganatsas
Stabilizing characteristics of New Zealand indigenous riparian colonising plants; M. Marden, D. Rowan, C. Phillips
Mechanical resistance of different tree species to rockfall in the French Alps; A. Stokes, F. Salin, A.D. Kokutse, S. Berthier, H. Jeannin, S. Mochan, L. Dorren, N. Kokutse, M. Abd.Ghani, T. Fourcaud
Root morphology and strain distribution during tree failure on mountain slopes; A. Stokes, M.Abd.Ghani, F. Salin, F. Dajon, H. Heannin, S. Berthier, A.D. Kokutse, H. Frochot
A numerical investigation into the influence of soil type and root architecture on tree anchorage; L. Dupuy, T. Fourcaud, A. Stokes
Methodology applied to eco- and ground bio-engineering
SLIP4EX – A program for routine slope stability analysis to include the effects of vegetation, reinforcement and hydrological changes; J.R. Greenwood
Site investigation for the effects of vegetation on ground stability; J.R. Greenwood, J.E. Norris, J. Wint
Mechanics of root-pullout from soil: a novel image and stress analysis procedure; O. Hamza, A.G. Bengough, M.F. Bransby, M.C.R. Davies, P.D. Hallett
Dendrogeomorphological observations in a landslide on Tymfristos mountain in Central Greece; A. M. Papadopoulos, A. Mertzanis, A. Pantera
Monitoring ground bio-engineering stabilization of land-slides in Lazio region (Italy); F. Preti, C. Milanese, F. Gubernale, S. De Bartoli, G. Falco
The use of geostatistical techniques applied to soil conservation of low density woodlands; T. Panagopoulos
A computer system using two membership functions and t-norms for the calculation of mountainous watersheds torrential risk: the case of lakes Trixonida and Lisimaxia; F. Maris, L. Iliadis
Comparison between two low cost photogrammetric systems: the analytical instrument Adam ASP2000 and the digital photogrammetric station DVP; V.C. Drosos
Applications at the slope level
Vegetative-based technologies for erosion control; R.P.C. Morgan
Vegetation succession and its consequences for slope stability in SE Spain; L.H. Cammeraat, L.P.H. van Beek
Hedge Brush Layers and Live Crib Walls – Stand Development and Benefits; R. Stangl
Vegetation dynamics on sediment deposits upstream of bioengineering works in mountainous marly gullies in a Mediterranean climate (Southern Alps, France); F. Rey, F. Isselin-Nondedeu, A. Bédécarrats
Implementation and monitoring of soil bioengineering measures at a landslide in the Middle Mountains of Nepal; W. Lammeranner, H.P. Rauch, S. Wibmer, S. Belihart
Beech coppice short-term hydrological balance for simulated rainfall; P. Trucchi, M.C. Andrenelli
Beech coppice leaf cover and gross-rainfall quali-quantitative transformation in simulated rainfall events of high intensity; P. Trucchi, M.C. Andrenelli
Effect of repeated fire on plant community recovery in Penteli, central Greece; G. Goudelis, P.P. Ganatsas, I. Spanos, A. Karpi
Effects of postfire logging on soil and vegetation recovery in a Pinus halepensis Mill. forest of Greece; I. Spanos, Y. Raftoyiannis, G. Goudelis, E. Xanthpoulou, T. Samara, A. Tsiontsis
The contribution of agrotechnical following a fire to the protection of forest soils and the regeneration of natural reforestation; M.A. Sapountsis, G.S. Efthimiou, P. Stefanidis
Decision support systems in Eco-engineering: The Case of the SDSS; S.B. Mickovski
A decision support system for the evaluation of eco-engineering strategies for slope protection; S. B. Mickovski, L.P.H. van Beek
Eco- and ground bio-engineering case studies by practitioners
Land restoration for the Olympic Games in Athens – Greece: Case study Lycabettus slopes (cycle road); J. Georgi
Herbaceous plant cover establishment on highway road sides; Z. Koukoura, A. Kyriazopoulos, I. Karmiris
Erosion control by application of hydroseeding methods along the Egnatia Motorway (Greece); M. Katritzidakis, A. Liapis, I. Stathakopoulos, E. Pipinis, G. Kekis, E. Ververidou, E. Sevastou
Restoration of slopes disturbed by a motorway company: Egnatia Odos, Greece; M. Katritzidakis, E. Pipinis, A. Liapis, I. Stathakopoulos, G. Kekis, E. Ververidou, E. Sevastou
Instability effects of the landforms, in artificially modulated banks along the road Thermopyles-Nafpaktos (Ftiotida-Greece); A. Mertzanis, A. Papadopoulos, A. Pantera
Evaluation of revegetation techniques on a mining spoil slopes; G. Brofas
Revegetation on steep slopes and in subalpine areas using biennial cover plants: A review of Huter’s technique; J. Heumader
Comparison of revegetation techniques on Alpine Slopes prone to avalanches and erosion; T. Schmid