The behavior of statically-indeterminate structural members and frames with cracks present

Arts et Métiers ParisTech, invitation en tant que professeur invité de Paul C. Paris au LAMEFIPCrack stability is discussed as affected by their presence in statically-indeterminate beams, frames, rings, etc. loaded into the plastic range. The stability of a crack in a section, which has become plastic, is analyzed with the remainder of the structure elastic and with subsequent additional plastic hinges occurring. The reduction of energy absorption characteristics for large deformations is also discussed. The methods of elastic–plastic tearing instability are incorporated to show that in many cases the fully plastic collapse mechanism must occur for complete failure.The authors acknowledge Arts et Metiers Paris Tech and Foundation Arts et Metiers for the financial support of the Prof. P.C. Paris’ stay at LAMEFIP in 2008 and 2009. The encouragement of Prof. Ivan Iordanoff, Director of LAMEFIP, is also acknowledged with thanks

Flashpacking: a discussion of independent travel in a digital world

The purpose of this paper is to develop an understanding of the impact of the convergence of ICT and independent travel from the perspective of a small group of tech-savvy flashpackers. Key informant e-interviews were conducted with a small group of eight flashpackers with an established virtual presence. This paper employs the mobilities paradigm to discuss the convergence of technology and backpacking tourism. The study of the flashpacking phenomenon through a ‘mobilities lens’ provides a vehicle for developing an understanding of the complexities of the intersection of physical travel, technologies, and daily life. Several themes emerged from the interviews including the conceptualization of connection and disconnection, impact of technologies on traditional physical spaces of backpacking, social interaction, and increasing fluidity of ‘tourist’ and ‘non-tourist’ experiences

Flashpacker: an emerging sub-culture?

The purpose of this study is to examine the emerging flashpacker sub-culture in relation to the backpacker culture. Cultural Consensus Analysis is employed to examine the potential cultural divergence between flashpackers and non-flashpackers. A mixed-mode dual-frame sampling procedure was employed for data collection, as surveys were administered through Facebook backpacker-groups and in hostels in Cairns, Australia. The results indicate that flashpacker and non-flashpacker groups have a shared cultural understanding of backpacking. In addition to the conceptual clarity of the emerging flashpacker, this study also provides some interesting insights into contemporary backpacker culture and the continuing convergence of physical travel with information and communication technologies

Understanding the statusphere and blogosphere: an analysis of virtual backpacker spaces

The continued commoditization of attention suggests that researchers shift their questions to focus on how information is consumed, shared, created, and applied. In this context, a greater understanding of the virtual infrastructure could provide some insights into the mediation of the tourist experience by social media, the uses and meanings associated with certain types of social media, could have great implications for tourism marketing and management. The main objective of this paper was to understand the spatial structure of the virtual space of backpacking through the mobile-virtual ethnographic examination of four types of social media (Facebook, blogs, YouTube, and Twitter) by eight tech-savvy backpackers. The findings are discussed within the context of two main virtual spaces: the Statusphere and the Blogospere

A critical evaluation of the potentiality of tourism and destination development in Failaka Island

This chapter focuses on the how Failaka Island can develop as a tourism destination through pursuing a sustainable pathway addressing the preservation of its complex history and culture. It argues that tourism development on Failaka Island faces multiple economic, environmental and social challenges, but also provides the most practical and reasonable potential for developing a large-scale tourist destination to drive international, regional Gulf Cooperation Council and domestic tourism demand. With a particular focus on domestic tourism, resident surveys could provide useful information concerning the current domestic tourism activities, behaviour, attitudes and expenditures that would assist the planning and marketing of the island domestically. Additionally, surveys and interviews of current Failaka Island visitors could provide insights into travel motivations and behaviours of visitors. The development of Failaka Island into a large-scale tourism destination is a central component of the recent government initiatives to expand the tourism sector within Kuwait

Backpacker activities and personal values: an SEM approach

Backpackers have been distinguished by their demographics, motivations, behaviors, and activities. This transnational study proposes a value-activity model that examines the causal relationship among personal values and travel activity participation for backpacker tourists. Backpackers’ values, using a modified Rokeach values scale, and activities were measured using a questionnaire that was administered through Facebook and Lonely Planet’s Thorn Tree Forums. The structural equation model suggests that backpackers’ personal values can significantly influence the activities that they participate in, and the personal values of backpackers’ are hierarchical which in turn creates a hierarchical structure for the activities that they participate in

Sustainability: a threshold concept for tourism education

Recognizing the importance and complexity of the concept of sustainability for tourism education, the purpose of this paper is to describe and reflect upon the teaching and learning strategies for sustainability employed in an undergraduate tourism module. To aid in this discussion, this study frames the concept of sustainability as a threshold concept for tourism education. The notion of a threshold concept was introduced by Meyer and Land in 2005. They suggest that a threshold concept represent a gateway or portal for learners and teachers, and once the threshold is crossed, learners will have a transformation in understanding, thinking and interpreting that is vital for the wider learning in a topical area. Meyer and Land suggest four main characteristics of a threshold concept, and thus, the discussion in this paper is organized accordingly into four sections: sustainability is transformative, sustainability is irreversible, and sustainability is integrative, and sustainability as troublesome knowledge. Throughout the paper teaching and learning strategies are reflected upon and specific exercises described. Student feedback collected through open ended questionnaire and group discussions among second year undergraduate tourism students provides key learner insights that aid in the reflection of teaching practice. Education for sustainability has been promoted for nearly two decades in tourism curriculum. To make a contribution to this important body of work, this study has focused on teaching and learning practice, with the goal of providing a starting point for educators to reflect upon their own teaching and learning strategies

Surveying “difficult-to-sample” backpackers through Facebook? Employing a mixed-mode dual-frame procedure

The emergence of social media has created a new medium for administering surveys for tourism research. While social media has great potential for tourism researchers, several aspects need to be considered. In the case of backpackers, a traditionally ‘difficult to sample’ group, destination based surveys, email surveys, survey links posted in online forums, and social media sites like Facebook, have all been used to administer surveys. The purpose of this paper is to present the case for a mixed-mode dual frame sampling procedure as an optimum for targeting backpackers. The sampling procedure discussed in this paper included self administered surveys through backpacker specific groups on Facebook.com, and self-administered surveys at backpacker hostels in Cairns, Australia. This paper argues that for this particular group, the combining off-line and on-line sampling modes allows the research to minimize errors while maximizing the diversity. Additionally, this paper provides some insights and recommendations into administering surveys through Facebook for tourism researchers