Materials Characterisation 2017

8th International Conference on Computational Methods and Experiments in 

Material and Contact Characterisation

21 - 23 June, 2017

Tallinn, Estonia

Introduction

The aim of the conference is to facilitate interaction between the research and industrial community and discuss the latest developments in this rapidly advancing field. The meeting responds to the demand for high quality production for both industry and consumer, which has led to rapid developments in materials science and engineering. This requires the characterisation of the properties of the materials.

Of particular interest to industry and society is the knowledge of surface treatment and contact mechanics of these materials to determine the in-service behaviour of components subject to contact conditions. Modern society requires systems that operate at conditions that use resources effectively. In terms of components durability, the understanding of surface engineering wear frictional and lubrication dynamics has never been so important.

Current research is focussed on modifications technologies that can increase the surface durability of materials. The characteristics of the system reveal which surface engineering methods should be chosen and as a consequence it is essential to study the combination of surface treatment and contact mechanics.

Combinations of different experimental techniques as well as computer simulation methods are essential to achieve a proper analysis. A very wide range of materials, starting with metals through polymers and semiconductors to composites, necessitates a whole spectrum of characteristic experimental techniques and research methods.

The conference is a result of a series of meetings that started as early as 1993 in Southampton on contact mechanics and previous meetings on the wider field of material characterisation dating from the 2003 conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico. The papers presented at all those conferences are permanently archived in the eLibrary of the Wessex Institute (www.witpress.com/elibrary) where they are easily accessible in Open Access format to the international scientific community.

Conference Topics

The following list covers the topics to be presented at the meeting. Papers on other subjects related to the objectives of the conference are also welcome.

• Computer methods and simulation
• Experimental and measurement techniques
• Mechanical characterisation and testing
• Materials under extreme conditions 
• Polymers and plastics
• Advances in composites
• Micro and macro characterisation
• Corrosion and erosion
• Damage, fatigue and fracture
• Recycled materials
• Materials and energy
• Surface problems and contact mechanics
• Surface modification and treatments
• Thick and thin coatings
• Tribomechanics and wear mechanics
• Biomechanical characterisation
• Biomechanical applications
• Case studies

Find out more on the conference webpage.

Multiphase Flow 2017

9th International Conference on Computational & Experimental Methods in Multiphase & Complex Flow

20 - 22 June, 2017

Tallinn, Estonia

Introduction

This is the 9th International Conference on Multiphase Flow in the very successful series which started in Orlando, Florida (2001), followed by meetings in Santa Fe, New Mexico (2003), Portland, Maine (2005), Bologna, (2007), the New Forest, home of the Wessex Institute (2009), Kos (2011), A Coruna  (2013) and Valencia (2015).

The overall focus of this conference series is the combination of experimental and computational techniques to gain a better understanding of all classes of multiphase and complex flow.  The meeting aims to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences directly and interactively, thereby promoting the development of knowledge in this increasingly important field.

This series of conferences on Multiphase Flow, organised by the Wessex Institute since 2001 aims to further such initiatives and to develop knowledge transfer mechanisms, in particular between academics and industry professionals. The papers presented at previous meetings are stored in digital form at http://www.witpress.com/elibrary where they are permanently available to the international community.

Conference Topics

The following list covers some of the topics to be presented at Multiphase Flow 2017. Papers on other subjects related to the objectives of the conference are also welcome.

• Multiphase flow simulation
• Bubble and drop dynamics
• Interface behaviour
• Experimental measurements
• Compressible multiphase flows
• Flow in porous media
• Turbulent multiphase flow
• Image processing
• Heat transfer
• Atomization
• Fluidised beds
• Cavitation
• Multiphase chemical reactions

Find out more on the conference webpage.

Timber Structures 2017

1st International Conference On Timber Structures and Engineering

13 - 15 June, 2017

New Forest, UK

Introduction

The 1st International Conference on Timber Structures is being organised by the Wessex Institute in collaboration with the Technical Centre of Wood Industry in Belgium.

Rapid advances have recently been made in the development and processing of innovative ecologically friendly wood products.  A wide range of new structural shapes can now be fabricated and used to construct buildings and bridges which have minimal impact on the environment.  Wood is particularly attractive since it is renewable and has no carbon footprint when it is harvested in a sustainable way. Timber structures are ecologically sound and comparatively low cost.  The material lends itself to innovative design and new types of composites offer reliable, robust and safe materials.

The Conference will explore the latest developments in wood products and their application as structural components with emphasis on new research and real applications.  It is intended to provide a platform for the presentation and discussion between researchers and practitioners of new and innovative ideas in this important field. 

Conference Topics

The following list covers some of the topics to be presented at Timber Structures 2017. Papers on other subjects related to the objectives of the conference are also welcome.

• Wood products characterisation
• Material properties of wood
• Durability aspects, service life modelling
• Fire safety of timber structures
• Protection against decay
• Non-destructive inspection and monitoring
• Glued, laminated structures, Xlam and CLT
• Timber joints and connections
• Vernacular wood structures
• Heritage timber structures
• Timber housing and eco-architecture
• Timber bridges
• Large span timber roof structures
• Shell structures in timber
• Mixed, composite and hybrid structures
• Computational analysis and experimental methods
• Structural engineering and design
• Seismic behaviour of timber structures
• Protection of timber
• Case studies
• Repaired timber structures
• Rapidly assembled and transferable timber structures
• Guidelines, codes and regulations
• Structure failures
• Art and craftsmanship

Find out more on the conference webpage.

Disaster Management 2017

5th International Conference on Disaster Management and Human Health: Reducing Risk, Improving Outcomes

7 - 9 June, 2017

Seville, Spain

Introduction

The International Conference on Disaster Management is being reconvened following the success of the previous four meetings, held at Wessex Institute in the New Forest in 2009, the University of Central Florida in Orlando, USA in 2011, A Coruña, Spain in 2013 and Istanbul Technical University, Turkey 2015.

This series of conferences originated with the need for academia and practitioners to exchange knowledge and experience on the way to handle the increasing risk of natural and human-made disasters. Recent major earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, floods and other natural phenomena have resulted in huge losses in terms of human life and property destruction. A new range of human-made disasters have afflicted humanity in modern times; terrorist activities have been added to more classical disasters such as those due to the failure of industrial installations for instance.

It is important to understand the nature of these global risks to be able to develop strategies to prepare for these events and plan effective responses in terms of disaster management and the associated human health impacts.

The conference provides a forum for the exchange of information between academics and practitioners, and a venue for presentation of the latest developments. The corresponding volume of WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment containing the papers presented at the meeting has been published in paper and digital format and widely distributed around the world. The papers are also archived in the WIT elibrary (http://www.witpress.com/elibrary) where they are available to the international community. 

Conference Topics

The following list covers some of the topics to be presented at Disaster Management 2017. Papers on other subjects related to the objectives of the conference are also welcome.

• Disaster analysis
• Disaster monitoring and mitigation
• Emergency preparedness
• Risk mitigation
• Risk and security
• Community resilience
• Socio-economic issues
• Health risk and disaster psychology
• Case studies
• Human factors
• Multi-hazard risk assessment
• Risk communications
• Preparedness and training
• Learning from disasters
• Termism and man-made disasters 

Find out more on the conference webpage.

Water and Society 2017

4th International Conference on Water & Society

5 - 7 June 2017

Seville, Spain

Introduction

The Water and Society Conference is to be reconvened in 2017 following the success of the previous meetings, the first of which was held in Las Vegas in 2011, followed by a meeting in 2013 in the New Forest, UK, home to the Wessex Institute, and one in La Coruna, Spain in 2015.

Over the centuries, civilisations have relied on the availability of clean and inexpensive water. This can no longer be taken for granted as the need for water continues to increase due to the pressure from growing global population demanding higher living standards. Agriculture and industry, major users of water, are at the same time those that contribute to its contamination. Water distribution networks in urban areas, as well as soiled water collection systems, present serious problems in response to a growing population as well as the need to maintain ageing infrastructures.

Many technologically feasible solutions, such as desalination or pumping systems are energy demanding but, as costs rise, the techniques currently developed may need to be re-assessed. The Conference will address the interaction between water and energy systems.

This meeting will encourage trans-disciplinary communication on issues related to the nature of water, and its use and exploitation by society. The conference is motivated by the need to bridge the gap between the broad spectrum of social political sciences and humanistic disciplines and specialists in physical sciences, biology, environmental sciences and health, among others.

The socio-political implications of a world short of clean, easily available water are enormous. It will lead to realignments in international politics and the emergence of new centres of power in the world.

Policy makers need to be educated and advised on developing policies and regulations that will support the water systems of tomorrow. The role of society and its involvement with water is paramount. To meet the future demands for water, new standards, new training and additional support roles will best be delivered by those knowledgeable of the new technologies and direction of the industry.

The intention of the Water and Society series of conferences is to review these issues, as well as the more technical aspects of water resources management and quality, to help put forward policies and legislation that will lead to improved solutions for all.

The papers selected for presentation and included in the Conference Proceedings are permanently stored in the WIT eLibrary as Transactions of the Wessex Institute (see http://www.witpress.com/elibrary). 

Conference Topics

The following list covers some of the topics to be presented at Water and Society 2017. Papers on other subjects related to the objectives of the conference are also welcome.

• Water resources management
• Water as a human right
• Water quality
• Water resources contamination
• Water, sanitation and health
• Water and disaster management
• Policy and legislation
• Future water demands
• Irrigation management
• Water management
• Urban water management
• Management of catchments
• Groundwater management and conservation
• Agribusiness

Find out more on the conference webpage.