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The purpose of this paper is to determine the representative volume element (RVE) size for quasi‐brittle materials using a discrete approach, namely a lattice‐particle model.

Different material samples are generated and subjected to study regarding its size, maximum aggregate size and boundary conditions. In order to determine the mechanical properties such as the elastic modulus, Poisson's ratio or tensile strength, several tension tests are carried out. For this purpose, a lattice‐particle approach is used to model concrete's fracturing behavior. The information provided by the previous simulations is implemented in a statistical analysis to determine the size of the RVE.

The determination of the RVE size for quasi‐brittle materials is successfully achieved by means of a lattice‐particle model. Computed results show a good agreement with other results reported in the bibliography.

Within a general multiscale framework, the determination of the RVE size is of great interest and some studies have been performed for random heterogeneous materials. However, these analyses are mainly continuum‐based. The estimation of the RVE size is important for correctly predicting the mechanical properties and can be used in different multiscale schemes.

Preface The functions of business divide into several areas and the general focus of this book is on one of the most important although least understood of these—DISTRIBUTION. The particular focus is on reviewing current practice in distribution costing and on attempting to push the frontiers back a little by suggesting some new approaches to overcome previously defined shortcomings.

To achieve a full understanding of the role of marketing from plan to profit requires a knowledge of the basic building blocks. This textbook introduces the key concepts in the art or science of marketing to practising managers. Understanding your customers and consumers, the 4 Ps (Product, Place, Price and Promotion) provides the basic tools for effective marketing. Deploying your resources and informing your managerial decision making is dealt with in Unit VII introducing marketing intelligence, competition, budgeting and organisational issues. The logical conclusion of this effort is achieving sales and the particular techniques involved are explored in the final section.

In the last four years, since Volume I of this Bibliography first appeared, there has been an explosion of literature in all the main functional areas of business. This wealth of material poses problems for the researcher in management studies — and, of course, for the librarian: uncovering what has been written in any one area is not an easy task. This volume aims to help the librarian and the researcher overcome some of the immediate problems of identification of material. It is an annotated bibliography of management, drawing on the wide variety of literature produced by MCB University Press. Over the last four years, MCB University Press has produced an extensive range of books and serial publications covering most of the established and many of the developing areas of management. This volume, in conjunction with Volume I, provides a guide to all the material published so far.

The paper deals with the development of an improved fast Fourier transform (FFT)-based numerical method for computing the effective properties of composite conductors. The convergence of the basic FFT-based methods is recognized to depend drastically on the contrast between the phases. For instance, the primal formulation is not suited for solving the problems with high conductivity whereas the dual formulation is computationally costly for problems with high resistivity. Consequently, it raises the problem of computing the properties of composites containing both highly conductive and resistive inclusions.

In the present work, the authors' propose a new iterative scheme for solving that kind of problems which is formulated in term of the polarization.

The capability and relevance of this iterative scheme is illustrated through numerical implementation in the case of composites containing squared inclusions. It is shown that the rate of convergence is increased and thus, particularly when the case of high contrasts is considered. The predominance of the polarization based iterative scheme (PBIS) over existing ones is also illustrated in the case of a composite containing both highly conductive and highly resistive inclusions.

The method is easy to implement and uses the same ingredients as the basic schemes: the FFT and the exact expression of the Green tensor in the Fourier space. Moreover, its convergence conditions do not depend on the conductivity properties of the constituents, which then constitutes the main difference with other existing iterative schemes. The method can then be applied for computing the effective properties of composites conductors with arbitrary contrasts.

Briefly reviews previous literature by the author before presenting an original 12 step system integration protocol designed to ensure the success of companies or countries in their efforts to develop and market new products. Looks at the issues from different strategic levels such as corporate, international, military and economic. Presents 31 case studies, including the success of Japan in microchips to the failure of Xerox to sell its invention of the Alto personal computer 3 years before Apple: from the success in DNA and Superconductor research to the success of Sunbeam in inventing and marketing food processors: and from the daring invention and production of atomic energy for survival to the successes of sewing machine inventor Howe in co‐operating on patents to compete in markets. Includes 306 questions and answers in order to qualify concepts introduced.

This book is a policy proposal aimed at the democratic left. It is concerned with gradual but radical reform of the socio‐economic system. An integrated policy of industrial and economic democracy, which centres around the establishment of a new sector of employee‐controlled enterprises, is presented. The proposal would retain the mix‐ed economy, but transform it into a much better “mixture”, with increased employee‐power in all sectors. While there is much of enduring value in our liberal western way of life, gross inequalities of wealth and power persist in our society.

Nobody concerned with political economy can neglect the history of economic doctrines. Structural changes in the economy and society influence economic thinking and, conversely, innovative thought structures and attitudes have almost always forced economic institutions and modes of behaviour to adjust. We learn from the history of economic doctrines how a particular theory emerged and whether, and in which environment, it could take root. We can see how a school evolves out of a common methodological perception and similar techniques of analysis, and how it has to establish itself. The interaction between unresolved problems on the one hand, and the search for better solutions or explanations on the other, leads to a change in paradigma and to the formation of new lines of reasoning. As long as the real world is subject to progress and change scientific search for explanation must out of necessity continue.

The purpose of this paper is to explore the basic loading state in local loading forming process of large-sized complicated rib-web component, which is important for understanding process characteristic, controlling metal flow and designing preformed geometry of the local loading forming process. Moreover the analytical models for different loading states are established to quickly predict the metal flow.

Through analysis of geometric characteristic of large-sized complicated rib-web component and the deformation characteristic on planes of metal flow by local loading method, a representative cross-section is put forward and designed, which could reflect the local loading forming characteristics of large-sized complicated rib-web component. Finite element method (FEM) is used to analyze the stress and metal flow, and the analytical models of metal flow are established by using slab method (SM).

Three local loading states and one whole loading state are found in the local loading forming process of representative cross-section. Further, four loading states also exist in local loading forming process of large-sized complicated rib-web components. With the metal distribution in the process, some local loading states may turn into whole loading state. For the representative cross-section, the relative error of metal distribution between SM and FEM results is less than 15 per cent, and the relative error of metal in the rib cavity between SM and FEM results is less than 10 per cent.

Metal flow can be controlled by adjusting the loading states in the process. According to the metal flow laws in different loading states, a simple unequal-thickness billet can be designed to achieve initial metal distribution, and then, the secondary metal distribution can be achieved in the process.