Search results for ""author wai-fah chen""

Dr Wai-Fah Chen — a Chinese-born American academic and widely recognized structural engineering specialist in the field of mechanics, materials, and computing — has certainly led a fascinating life. A well-respected leader in the field of plasticity, structural stability, and structural steel design over the past half-century, he has made major contributions to introduce the mathematical theory of plasticity to civil engineering practice, especially in the application of limit analysis methods to the geotechnical engineering field. Having headed the engineering departments at the University of Hawaii and Purdue University, Chen is a widely cited author and the recipient of several national engineering awards, including the 1990 Shortridge Hardesty Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers and the 2003 Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Institute of Steel Construction.This book traces the life journey and reflections of Dr Chen. It presents a remarkable opportunity to understand his personal history and cultural passions: his struggle to achieve the American dream, his life as an eyewitness to the rise of China, and his career path to establish a solid engineering reputation. Presenting his scientific achievements spanning the last 40 years of his career, readers will thus be privy to his personal thoughts, experiences, and perspectives on these events.

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Earthquakes are nearly unique among natural phenomena - they affect virtually everything within a region, from massive buildings and bridges, down to the furnishings within a home. Successful earthquake engineering therefore requires a broad background in subjects, ranging from the geologic causes and effects of earthquakes to understanding the impact of these effects on foundations, buildings, structures, the infrastructure, and even their social and economic impact. The Earthquake Engineering Handbook is a comprehensive resource that covers the spectrum of topics relevant to designing for and mitigating earthquakes. In it, international experts present engineering practices, research, and developments in North America, Europe, and the Pacific Rim countries. The emphasis is on professional applications, with discussion ranging from basic dynamics and geoscience to new technologies intended to avoid rather than resist the forces of earthquakes. Covering both traditional and innovative practices, the Earthquake Engineering Handbook is the first professional reference that brings together all of earthquake engineering's many facets. Formulas, tables, and illustrations give immediate answers to questions arising in practice, and summaries of the essential elements of each topic paint a global picture from which readers can develop understanding and the ability to think beyond the results presented.

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