A complete classification of spatial relations using the Voronoi-based nine-intersection model

In this article we show that the Voronoi-based nine-intersection (V9I) model proposed by Chen et al. (2001, A Voronoi-based 9-intersection model for spatial relations. International Journal of Geographical Information Science, 15 (3), 201-220) is more expressive than what has been believed before. Given any two spatial entities A and B, the V9I relation between A and B is represented as a 3 × 3 Boolean matrix. For each pair of types of spatial entities that is, points, lines, and regions, we first show that most Boolean matrices do not represent a V9I relation by using topological constraints and the definition of Voronoi regions. Then, we provide illustrations for all the remaining matrices. This guarantees that our method is sound and complete. In particular, we show that there are 18 V9I relations between two areas with connected interior, while there are only nine four-intersection relations. Our investigations also show that, unlike many other spatial relation models, V9I relations are context or shape sensitive. That is, the existence of other entities or the shape of the entities may affect the validity of certain relations. © 2013 Taylor & Francis

Cooperativity, Fluctuations and Inhomogeneities in Soft Matter

This thesis presents four investigations into mechanical aspects of soft thin structures, focusing on the effects of stochastic and thermal fluctuations and of material inhomogeneities. First, we study the self-organization of arrays of high-aspect ratio elastic micropillars into highly regular patterns via capillary forces. We develop a model of capillary mediated clustering of the micropillars, characterize the model using computer simulations, and quantitatively compare it to experimental realizations of the self-organized patterns. The extent of spatial regularity of the patterns depends on the interplay between cooperative enhancement and history-dependent stochastic disruption of order during the clustering process. Next, we investigate the influence of thermal fluctuations on the mechanics of homogeneous, elastic spherical shells. We show that thermal fluctuations give rise to temperature- and size-dependent corrections to shell theory predictions for the mechanical response of spherical shells. These corrections diverge as the ratio of shell radius to shell thickness becomes large, pointing to a drastic breakdown of classical shell theory due to thermal fluctuations for extremely thin shells. Finally, we present two studies of the mechanical properties of thin spherical shells with structural inhomogeneities in their walls. The first study investigates the effect of a localized reduction in shell thickness—a soft spot—whereas the second studies shells with a smoothly varying thickness. In both cases, the inhomogeneity significantly alters the response of the shell to a uniform external pressure, revealing new ways to control the strength and shape of initially spherical elastic capsules.Engineering and Applied Science

Safety and Reliability - Safe Societies in a Changing World

The contributions cover a wide range of methodologies and application areas for safety and reliability that contribute to safe societies in a changing world. These methodologies and applications include: - foundations of risk and reliability assessment and management - mathematical methods in reliability and safety - risk assessment - risk management - system reliability - uncertainty analysis - digitalization and big data - prognostics and system health management - occupational safety - accident and incident modeling - maintenance modeling and applications - simulation for safety and reliability analysis - dynamic risk and barrier management - organizational factors and safety culture - human factors and human reliability - resilience engineering - structural reliability - natural hazards - security - economic analysis in risk managemen

Geotechnical Engineering for the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites III

The conservation of monuments and historic sites is one of the most challenging problems facing modern civilization. It involves, in inextricable patterns, factors belonging to different fields (cultural, humanistic, social, technical, economical, administrative) and the requirements of safety and use appear to be (or often are) in conflict with the respect of the integrity of the monuments. The complexity of the topic is such that a shared framework of reference is still lacking among art historians, architects, structural and geotechnical engineers. The complexity of the subject is such that a shared frame of reference is still lacking among art historians, architects, architectural and geotechnical engineers. And while there are exemplary cases of an integral approach to each building element with its static and architectural function, as a material witness to the culture and construction techniques of the original historical period, there are still examples of uncritical reliance on modern technology leading to the substitution from earlier structures to new ones, preserving only the iconic look of the original monument. Geotechnical Engineering for the Preservation of Monuments and Historic Sites III collects the contributions to the eponymous 3rd International ISSMGE TC301 Symposium (Naples, Italy, 22-24 June 2022). The papers cover a wide range of topics, which include: 　 - Principles of conservation, maintenance strategies, case histories - The knowledge: investigations and monitoring - Seismic risk, site effects, soil structure interaction - Effects of urban development and tunnelling on built heritage - Preservation of diffuse heritage: soil instability, subsidence, environmental damages The present volume aims at geotechnical engineers and academics involved in the preservation of monuments and historic sites worldwide