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This paper gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied to the analysis of ceramics and glass materials. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations on the subject that were published between 1977‐1998. The following topics are included: ceramics – material and mechanical properties in general, ceramic coatings and joining problems, ceramic composites, ferrites, piezoceramics, ceramic tools and machining, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, applications of ceramic/composites in engineering; glass – material and mechanical properties in general, glass fiber composites, material processing simulations, fracture mechanics and damage, and applications of glasses in engineering.

The mechanism of stress formation in glass under‐going conditions of rapid cooling, and the factors affecting the properties of the toughened glass produced are discussed. The application of techniques for measuring the temperature of glass, to the control and study of the toughening process are described.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the outlet of a special glass melting system, which is used to control melt flow and modify flow pattern.

Numerical calculations in ANSYS and ANSYS CFX were used to study electromagnetic, thermal, hydrodynamic and chemical mixing processes, results are validated by comparison with experimental data.

Obtained results show that investigated approach can improve glass melt chemical homogeneity significantly – Lorentz force driven melt movement in conjunction with diffusion process ensures good mixing quality.

The mixing in glass melt is present only in azimuthal direction (in cylindrical coordinate system associated with outlet tube axis) but the radial homogenization is determined by diffusion only.

The experiments in JSJ GmbH with soda lime glass were successful and showed mixing effect in output material, thus providing additional method for glass production.

Although the electrical conductivity of glass is very low, the melt motion is generated by EM forces in this equipment, thus this approach is innovative in glass production technology where typical motion source is buoyancy or mechanical mixing.

The findings from a survey of attitudes amongst professional and trade (PT) groups in the UK construction industry in relation to the use of hybrid concrete construction (HCC) are reported in this paper. Following a brief introduction to HCC, the context of the research presented here is explained. An account of the research methods used in the project is given, together with guidance on appropriate techniques for interviewing professional and trade groups in the construction industry. The findings from the survey are divided into two sections: areas of consensus and areas of disagreement. Conclusions are drawn relating to the future design, procurement and construction of buildings that incorporate HCC.

The purpose of this paper is to utilize the selective laser sintering (SLS) process to fabricate scaffolds with complex pore shapes and investigate the effects of pore geometry in vitro. The pore geometry of scaffolds intended for use in bone repair is one of the most important parameters used to determine the rate of bone regeneration.

Scaffolds with five different architectures, having approximately 50 per cent porosity, were fabricated with silicate (13–93) and borate (13–93B3)-based bioactive glasses using the SLS process. An established late-osteoblasts/early-osteocytes cell line was used to perform cell proliferation tests on the scaffolds. The cell-seeded scaffolds were incubated for two, four and six days followed by MTT assay to quantify the metabolically active cells.

The results indicated that the cells proliferate significantly more on the scaffolds which mimic the trabecular bone architecture compared to traditional lattice structures. The surface roughness of the SLS-fabricated scaffolds drives the initial cell proliferation which is followed by curvature-driven cell proliferation.

There have been very few studies on the effects of pore geometry on tissue growth and the existing reports do not provide clear indications. Instead of using bio-polymer or titanium-based scaffolds, we use bioactive glass scaffolds. The results obtained from this study add to the understanding of the effect of pore geometry on cell proliferation, which is based on the experimental data and analysis of the scaffolds’ surface curvature.

This study uses a stochastic frontier analysis to evaluate the relative performance of UK credit unions over the period 1991 to 2001. The analysis found that UK credit unions are subject to high levels of (gross) in efficiency. The analysis also revealed that the environment within which individual credit unions operate plays a critical role in the relative efficiency of credit unions. In terms of direction of influence, the analysis of environmental effects highlighted (main in sights) that larger credit unions are more cost efficient as are credit unions which do not draw their membership exclusively from areas of high deprivation. These directional influences were viewed as offering some encouragement to the thrust of the Financial Services Authority’s new policy regime for credit unions which may well result in a smaller number of larger credit unions each with a more varied membership mix.

WHEN evaluating engine efficiencies, mean effective pressures or the work done by the piston in internal combustion engines or compressors, it is generally assumed that the state of the working fluid is uniform throughout its mass. From this it follows that the expression for work where P denotes pressure and V, volume, holds. Now, it is known that, strictly speaking, this expression applies only in the limiting case of zero piston velocity, when the motion of the piston, and the thermodynamic process in the cylinder are said to be quasi‐static. The question, therefore, poses itself as to how far such an assumption is justified, when applied to a modern high‐speed reciprocating engine, say, an aircraft or motorcar engine, when piston velocities of the order of 40 ft./sec. are encountered.

EXPERIMENTS on the rapid discharge of gases from cylinders show marked deviations from the accepted quasi‐steady theory. Agreement between experiment and calculation is obtained at the cost of assuming very large coefficients of discharge. It is shown in the present paper, that the discrepancies are due to the fact that the mass discharge is larger than that implied by the quasi‐steady theory, mainly owing to the omission of the considerable velocity of approach. The application of the wave theory of gas mechanics to the case of rapid discharge is sketched and it is shown that the deviations from the quasi‐steady theory predicted by it are of the same order of magnitude, as found experimentally.

When assessing the potential benefits of using any new technology, it is essential that appropriate performance criteria are used and comparisons are made with the alternatives available. This paper reports on the development of criteria to help inform the process of deciding whether or not to adopt hybrid concrete construction (HCC) technology rather than more traditional alternatives. Following a thorough review of literature to identify a range of HCC performance criteria, their perceived importance was investigated via an opinion survey of experienced UK‐based practitioners. The result of the analysis revealed that all criteria identified through literature were considered important, with “physical form and space” of a building, “meeting perceived needs” and “construction cost and safety” being the more important performance criteria influencing the selection of an appropriate structural frame. This paper describes the potential practical application of these criteria to assist the early structural frame decision‐making process.

Construction organisations are becoming increasingly aware of the impacts of their operations, from both an environmental and, more recently, a social viewpoint. Sustainability standards can enable an organisation to evidence a benchmarked level of performance against a particular issue. To date, research on standards has largely focused on the operational and administrative aspects of their enactment, rather than how they might affect – and be appropriated by – organisational actors. The purpose of this paper is to examine how capacity for learning can affect the success of implementing standards within two construction SMEs.

Taking an organisational learning and absorptive capacity (ACAP) perspective, this research uses the case study approach and abductive logic to understand what role learning plays with regard to sustainability standard implementation.

The results reveal that strong communication channels and commitment to training programmes increase the capacity for implementing standards, but that SMEs tend only to approach standards if they see immediate financial benefits stemming from their implementation.

SMEs provide a challenging context for the implementation of sustainability standards unless there are significant external levers and extrinsic motivation for them to be embraced. Care should be taken in incorporating these aspects into the future design of standards that are more aligned with SME needs.

Stakeholders should seek to apply pressure to firms to positively influence engagement with sustainability standards.

The role and importance of ACAP is an underdeveloped debate in the certification field. This study is the first that links the process of implementing a standard with the ACAP of an organisation.