It is difficult to do justice to fracture mechanics in a textbook, for the subject encompasses so many disciplines. A general survey of the field would serve no purpose other than give a collection of references. The present book by Professor E. E. Gdoutos is refreshing because it does not fall into the esoteric tradition of outlining equations and results. Basic ideas and underlying principles are clearly explained as to how they are used in application. The presentations are concise and each topic can be understood by advanced undergraduates in material science and continuum mechanics. The...

The assessment of crack initiation and/or propagation has been the subject of many past discussions on fracture mechanics. Depending on how the chosen failure criterion is combined with the solution of a particular theory of continuum mechanics, the outcome could vary over a wide range. Mod elling of the material damage process could be elusive if the scale level of observation is left undefined. The specification of physical dimension alone is not sufficient because time and temperature also play an intimate role. It is only when the latter two variables are fixed that failure predictions...

Concentrations of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in lakes are often an order of magnitude greater than concentrations of particulate organic matter; nevertheless, the biogeochemical analysis of DOM is described in only a few textbooks on limnology (most thoroughly by Wetzel). The orgins of dissolved organic substances are largely photosynthetic; DOM is either autochthonously synthesized by littoral and pelagic flora through secretions and autolysis of cellular contents, or allochthonously generated in terrestrial systems of the drainage basin, composing largely of humic substances refractory...

According to John Dewey, Seymour Papert, Donald Schon, and Allan Collins, school activities, to be authentic, need to share key features with those worlds about which they teach. This book documents learning and teaching in open-inquiry learning environments, designed with the precepts of these educational thinkers in mind. The book is thus a first-hand report of knowing and learning by individuals and groups in complex open-inquiry learning environments in science. As such, it contributes to the emerging literature in this field.
Secondly, it exemplifies research methods for studying...

This book consists of a collection of lectures prepared for a short course on "Fracture Mechanics Methodology" sponsored by the Advisory Group for Aerospace Research and Development (AGARD), part of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The course was organized jointly by Professor George C. Sih of the Institute of Fracture and Solid Mechanics at Lehigh University in the United States and Professor Luciano Faria from Centro de Mecanica e de Materiais das Universidade de Lisboa in Portugal. It was held in Lisbon from June 1 to 4, 1981. Dr. Robert Badaliance from the McDonnell Aircraft...

In this volume on the mechanics of fracture of Portland cement concrete, the general theme is the connection between microstructural phenomena and macroscopic models. The issues addressed include techniques for observation over a wide range of scales, the influence of .microcracking on common measures of strength and de formability , and ultimately, the relationship between microstructural changes in concrete under load and its resistance to cracking. It is now commonly accepted that, in past attempts to force-fit the behavior of concrete into the rules of linear elastic fracture mechanics,...

The idea of the present sixth volume in the Boston Col lege Studies in Philosophy entitled "Contemporary Chinese Philosophy" was conceived by the editor several years ago, before the current resumption of Chinese American political and economic amity occurred offi cially. Several preceding volumes in this series had studied various aspects of Marxism especially Soviet Marxism. Possibilities for dialogue between Christians and Marxists were discussed not only in the series but elsewhere too in various philosophical journals and books through the sixties and seventies. It was only a natural...

We have shown that simple power-law dynamics is expected for flexible fractal objects. Although the predicted behavior is well established for linear polymers, the situationm is considerably more complex for colloidal aggregates. In the latter case, the observed K-dependence of (r) can be explained either in terms of non-asymptotic hydrodynamics or in terms of weak power-law polydispersity. In the case of powders (alumina, in particular) apparent fractal behavior seen in static scattering is not found in the dynamics. ID. W. Schaefer, J. E. Martin, P. Wiitzius, and D. S. Cannell, Phys. Rev....

With the advent of the 80's there has been an increasing need for analytic and numerical techniques, based on a thorough understanding of microstructural processes, that express in a manner suitable for practicing engineers the reliability of components and structures that are being subjected to degradation situations. Such situations fall within the framework offracture mechanics, fatigue, corrosion fatigue and pitting corrosion. Luckily, such techniques are now being developed and it was felt timely to combine in one volume reports by the leaders in this field who are currently making great...

My first year in graduate school marked by initial expo- sure to Heidegger and some of his important early essays. At tha time, disenchanted with the state in which "religious thought" lay, I was quickly struck by the potential Heidegger presented for breaking new ground in a field that had seeming- ly exhausted itself by reworking the same old issues and answers. That insight, along with the conviction that Heideg- ger had been misused and misunderstood by theologians and religious thinkers ever since he burst upon the intellectual scene with the publ ication of Sein und Zei t, grew...