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Addresses the computational aspects involved in the numerical simulation of sheet stamping processes. Focuses on some numerical aspects of the intrinsic complexity of these problems, the first of which is the necessity to take into account properly membrane and bending effects. Presents a well‐adapted shell element. The second aspect concerns the description and the implementation of the initial orthotropic plastic behaviour for sheet metal parts, based on a formulation in a rotating frame using the initial microstructure rotation. The stress calculation algorithm is based on a particular implementation of the elastic predictor‐plastic corrector method. The last aspect concerns the solution procedures with a particular development concerning the treatment of the blankholder load as a constraint. A set of computational results validated with experiments prove the accuracy of the proposed approach in solving stamping problems.

This paper gives a review of the finite element techniques (FE) applied in the area of material processing. The latest trends in metal forming, non‐metal forming, powder metallurgy and composite material processing are briefly discussed. The range of applications of finite elements on these subjects is extremely wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore the aim of the paper is to give FE researchers/users only an encyclopaedic view of the different possibilities that exist today in the various fields mentioned above. An appendix included at the end of the paper presents a bibliography on finite element applications in material processing for 1994‐1996, where 1,370 references are listed. This bibliography is an updating of the paper written by Brannberg and Mackerle which has been published in Engineering Computations, Vol. 11 No. 5, 1994, pp. 413‐55.

Sheet metal forming is a process of shaping thin sheets of metal by applying pressure through male or female dies or both. In most of used sheet‐formating processes the metal is subjected to primarily tensile or compressive stresses or both. During the last three decades considerable advances have been made in the applications of numerical techniques, especially the finite element methods, to analyze physical phenomena in the field of structural, solid and fluid mechanics as well as to simulate various processes in engineering. These methods are useful because one can use them to find out facts or study the processes in a way that no other tool can accomplish. Finite element methods applied to sheet metal forming are the subjects of this paper. The reason for writing this bibliography is to save time for readers looking for information dealing with sheet metal forming, not having an access to large databases or willingness to spend own time with uncertain information retrieval. This paper is organized into two parts. In the first one, each topic is handled and current trends in the application of finite element techniques are briefly mentioned. The second part, an Appendix, lists papers published in the open literature. More than 900 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with subjects that were published in 1995‐2003 are listed.

This paper discusses an original theory of information exclusion and information inclusion, which explains how information interactions can be structured in ways that either exclude or include people seeking asylum.

This theory was developed through an ethnographic study of the information experience of people seeking asylum in the United Kingdom. Fieldwork involved participant observations, participatory research workshops and semi-structured interviews, analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach.

People seeking asylum are confronted with two main information environments: the asylum system and the local third sector. Each environment frames contrasting information access, sharing and literacy practice modalities: the former produces information deprivation, information sharing agency denial and a fracturing information literacy practice; the latter facilitates multiple information affordances, information sharing agency promotion, and both local and heritage information literacy practice promotion. Our theory of information exclusion and information inclusion describes how through these modalities, an information environment can either promote or preclude inclusion.

Previous information studies of migration tend to conceptualise social ex/inclusion as a linear journey. Our theory originally frames this as a non-straightforward and conflicting process, allowing to better understand the experience of people who are not simply either socially excluded or included, but may experience both states depending on context. It also shows that exclusion is not a matter of fact and is not fundamental to asylum systems: it is produced by specific policies and procedures and can therefore be changed. Thus, this theory provides conceptual tools for researchers to investigate the information experience of individuals moving between conflicting information practices, and for civil society actors and policymakers to document exclusionary information practices and design inclusive ones.

This paper aims to study the effect of elevated temperature on the compression behaviour of carbon fibre polyphenylene sulphide (CF/PPS) laminates notched and unnotched specimens made by film stacking method (FSM).

The surface of CF was coated with a silane coupling agent to form an effective transition layer with PPS, so as to enhance the interfacial interaction between CF and PPS. Considering the influence of fabrication pressure, forming temperature and cooling rate on the properties of laminates to obtain a reasonable preparation process. Conducting a compressive experiment of notched and unnotched specimens at different temperatures, which failure modes were examined by scanning electron microscope and stereo microscope.

The experimental observations highlight that with the increase of temperature, the transition failure mode from fibre broken to kink-band appeared in unnotched specimens, which were closely attributed to the matrix state. The notched specimens appeared more complex failure mode, which can be attributed to the joint effect of temperature and opening hole.

A simple way of FSM for composite material laminates has been developed by using woven CF and PPS films.

The outcome of this study will help to understand the compression response mechanism of composite materials made by FSM at different temperature.

This paper aims to propose, for the very first time in Burkina Faso, a “no regret” reference tool to improve policies and processes which could strengthen agricultural water resilience under climate risks and change for sustained food security. Such a framework consists of five pillars derived from the agricultural water vulnerability analysis.

The method combined a new designed tool “ClimProspect”, adapted to the Sahelian climatic context, participatory and analogue approaches.

Innovative “no regret” framework to overcome current and future climate risks on agricultural water requirements has been built.

The paper proposes a new way to assess vulnerability and build resilience for a given system and brings climate and disaster risks together. In fact, in the country, disaster and climate risks are closely associated.

The proposed measures will reinforce water security under climate variability and change and disaster risks, boost the farmers’ participation in water governance and secure the adaptation investment for the long term.

Implementing the proposed measures should provide farmers with agricultural water needs at any time over the year, having access to social protection and sustainably increase their food security.

Method used explicitly allows for paying attention, at the same time, to climate variability and change, disaster risks and social issues. The “no regret” framework is a practical secured tool for policy makers and planners, and it gives them a new way to secure sustainable water requirements.