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This paper presents a parallelised substructure based finite element approach to the solution of fully coupled heat, moisture and deformation problems in partially saturated soil. A numerical model, based on previous work, is developed so that it is capable of solving larger and more complex problems with limited computing resources. The algorithm also offers the advantage of the strategy for further development within the context of parallel computing. A refinement to the standard substructure algorithm has been introduced for the matrix condensing procedure employed at the sub‐structure level, to improve computational efficiency. A numerical simulation is then performed using a parallel computer code for the fully coupled analysis, operating on a MIMD parallel computer (the Paramid). The benefits of the new approach are thus displayed. As a check on the accuracy of the new method, good correlation with other independent solutions are observed. Finally, the computing work performed indicates that the algorithm is yielding encouraging results, providing confidence in the further development of the approach.

Argues that researchers need to recognize the importance of the temporal factor in research on strategic groups, paying more attention to interdependencies between a firm’s strategy and its surrounding environment.

THIS issue of The Library World marks the commencement of a new volume, and we take the opportunity of thanking our many readers for their continued good feeling and support. It is a pleasure to us to record the fact that we are able to enlarge this initial number of the volume and that we feel the time has come when we shall make such enlargement a permanency, without any corresponding increase in the subscription price.

This paper aims to numerically analyse natural convection of yield stress fluids in rectangular cross-sectional cylindrical annular enclosures. The laminar steady-state simulations have been conducted for a range of different values of normalised internal radius (r_i/L 1/8 to 16, where L is the difference between outer and inner radii); aspect ratio (AR = H/L from 1/8 to 8 where H is the enclosure height); and nominal Rayleigh number (Ra from 10³ to 10⁶) for a single representative value of Prandtl number (Pr is 500).

The Bingham model has been used to mimic the yield stress fluid motion, and numerical simulations have been conducted for both constant wall temperature (CWT) and constant wall heat flux (CWHF) boundary conditions for the vertical side walls. The conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy have been solved in a coupled manner using the finite volume method where a second-order central differencing scheme is used for the diffusive terms and a second-order up-wind scheme is used for the convective terms. The well-known semi-implicit method for pressure-linked equations algorithm is used for the coupling of the pressure and velocity.

It is found that the mean Nusselt number based on the inner periphery Nu¯_i increases (decreases) with an increase in Ra (Bn) due to augmented buoyancy (viscous) forces irrespective of the boundary condition. The ratio of convective to diffusive thermal transport increases with increasing r_i/L for both Newtonian (i.e. Bn = 0) and Bingham fluids regardless of the boundary condition. Moreover, the mean Nusselt number Nu¯_i normalised by the corresponding Nusselt number due to pure conductive transport (i.e. Nu¯_i/(Nu¯_i)_cond) shows a non-monotonic trend with increasing AR in the CWT configuration for a given set of values of Ra, Pr, L_i for both Newtonian (i.e. Bn = 0) and Bingham fluids, whereas Nu¯_i/(Nu¯_i)_cond increases monotonically with increasing AR in the CWHF configuration. The influences of convective thermal transport strengthen while thermal diffusive transport weakens with increasing AR, and these competing effects are responsible for the non-monotonic Nu¯_i/(Nu¯_i)_cond variation with AR in the CWT configuration.

Detailed scaling analysis is utilised to explain the observed influences of Ra, BN, r_i/L and AR, which along with the simulation data has been used to propose correlations for Nu¯_i.

This paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element and boundary element parallel processing techniques from the theoretical and application points of view. Topics include: theory – domain decomposition/partitioning, load balancing, parallel solvers/algorithms, parallel mesh generation, adaptive methods, and visualization/graphics; applications – structural mechanics problems, dynamic problems, material/geometrical non‐linear problems, contact problems, fracture mechanics, field problems, coupled problems, sensitivity and optimization, and other problems; hardware and software environments – hardware environments, programming techniques, and software development and presentations. The bibliography at the end of this paper contains 850 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with presented subjects that were published between 1996 and 2002.

The present study examines the relation of individual differences in personality to one's preferences for approaching and managing conflict in work settings. This investigation offers a conceptual foundation for relating the Five‐Factor Model (FFM) of personality to strategy preference, tests strategy‐FFM dimension hypotheses, and explores strategy relations with narrower FFM midlevel traits. Managers and supervisors (N = 249) from public, governmental, and private sector organizations completed the Organizational Communication and Conflict Instrument and the Revised NEO Personality Inventory. Preferences for conflict strategies were found to relate to distinct patterns of FFM dimensions, while narrower midlevel traits provided meaningful insights into the nature of the observed relations.

A solution algorithm which enables various rheological models of combined one‐dimensional consolidation and creep to be accommodated in a unified approach, is used to solve three models which have appeared in the literature. The theories are those of Tan, Gibson and Lo, and Schiffman, Ladd and Chen. Comparisons between these hereditary rheological models are performed and assessments of the various features of the models presented.