Thirteenth International Conference on Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements

2 - 4 July 2007
Prague, Czech Republic

 Overview

The Co-Chairmen and Co-Editors of the proceedings were Professor Giovanni Carlomagno of the University of Naples and Professor Carlos A Brebbia from WIT.  The book has been archived in the Transactions of Wessex Institute in the series on Modelling and Simulation, and included in the WIT Press eLibrary.  

The series of conferences started in Washington in the 1980s and has since been reconvened every two years with continuous success.  The primary function of the Conference is to offer the international scientific community an arena for the presentation and discussion of advanced approaches and applications in the field of numerical and experimental methods, with special attention and emphasis being given to their beneficial interaction and mutual influence.  

Recent advances in the speed and efficiency of computers have been major factors in the growth of numerical methods.  However, even if computational codes have been increasingly successful in simulating engineering problems, there still exists a wide range of problems that need a comprehensive validation that can be accomplished only by means of experimental analysis.  Experimental measurements have also become so sophisticated that experiments are often carried out with the help of computers and the data obtained have to be processed by means of numerical methods.

 Opening Address

The meeting was opened by Professor Carlos Brebbia who referred to the importance of the conference series to the work carried out by his Institute.  WIT’s objective is to act as a forum for the transfer of knowledge at international level and the conference and seminar programmes are an important part of this.  Many international research projects, Professor Brebbia said, have originated at conferences such as CMEM 07 which have also generated a series of important books produced by the publishing arm of the Institute, WIT Press.  

Professor Brebbia explained that in addition to the conferences and publishing activities, the Institute carries out a very active post-graduate training programme which includes Master and PhD programmes, many of them in cooperation with other universities and research centres all around the world. WIT also participates in many joint projects with other partners, including industries from all over the world.  

An important development in the last two years, Professor Brebbia said, has been the success of the eLibrary in which all of the WIT conference papers are archived. The large number of abstracts and paper downloads have exceeded all expectations.  This is due to increase even further as the Transactions of Wessex Institute are now being indexed by major services, including Elsevier.  

 Keynote Address by Professor Carmine Golia

The keynote address was delivered by Professor Carmine Golia, Director of the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering at the Second University of Naples. He was President of the Italian Aerospace Research Association and Co-founder of the European Aerospace Research Association (AREA).  More recently he helped to found the Second University of Naples.  The title of his presentation was “Lagrangian thermal and vortex blobs methods”. The new idea he described was well received and there were numerous questions afterwards. 

 Invited Presentations

Other invited presentations included:  

• “Direct simulations of fluid dynamic sounds by the finite diffuse lattice Boltzmann method”, by M Tsutahora, Kobe University, Japan
• “Mathematical modelling of water and salt transport in porous materials”, by R Cerny, Czech Technical University
• “EUV detection system with calibrated responsivity”, by Z Bielecki, Military University of Technology, Poland
• “Influence of the collision speed and angle of a bullet: experimental reconstruction of bullet configuration and FE-analysis”, by H Sakamoto, Kumamoto University, Japan
• “Influence of the cross-section shape on the lateral torsional buckling capacity”, by M. Trajkovic, University of Nis, Serbia and Montenegro
• “Inverse variational principle based coupled modelling of underground structures”, by P Prochazka, Czech Technical University
• “Calculating the dilution between successive trainloads of iron ore during processing”, by J E Everett, University of Western Australia
• “Numerical investigation on natural convection in asymmetric channel-chimney systems”, by O Manca, Second University of Naples, Italy
• “Analysis of radiating structures placed on multilayer dielectric”, by M Wnuk, Military University of Technology, Poland
•  “A model of spur gears supported by ball bearings”, by F Viadero, University of Cantabria, Spain
• “Importance of experimental measurements and simulations for “sludge-to-energy” systems”, by P Stehlik, Brno University of Technology, Czech Republic
• “Cyclic testing of reinforced concrete beam-column joints with crossed inclined bars”, by C G Karayannis, Democritus University of Thrace, Greece
• “Response of a double system beam and string with an elastic layer to  dynamic excitations”, by L Fryba, Institute of Theoretical and Applied Mechanics, Czech Republic

 Conference Sessions

A substantial number of papers were presented at the Conference.  They were classified in the following sessions:

• Computational and experimental methods
• Experimental and computational analysis
• Fluid flow
• Heat transfer
• Dynamics and vibrations
• Structural analysis

 Special Sessions

Three special sessions were organised by well known colleagues.  They were:  

Special Session on Salts in Porous Materials organised by Professor R Cerny from the Czech Technical University, who presented the first paper on Mathematical modelling of water and salt transport in porous materials.  The other papers were:  

• “Determination of water and salt transport parameters of porous materials using methods of inverse modelling”, L Fiala, Czech Technical University
• “Effect of metakaolin on chloride binding in lime-based composites”, by R Pernicova, Czech Technical University
• “Computational simulation of the effect of the crystallization inhibitors on salt transport and crystallization in porous materials”, by J Kelnar, Czech Technical University
• “Desalination of historical masonry using hydrophilic mineral wool boards”, by M Jerman, Czech Technical University  

Special Session on Detection and Signal Pumping organised by Professor Z Bielecki from the Military University of Technology in Poland, who introduced the session with a paper on “EUV Detection system with calibrated responsivity”, followed by another by Prof M Wnuk from the same Institute, with one on “Analysis of radiating structures placed on multilayer dielectric”.  The other presentations were as follows:  

• “Method of signal processing in passive infrared detectors for security systems”, by H Madura, Military University of Technology, Poland
• “Influence of the displacement effect on compressed LFM signal parameters”, by A Kawalec, Military University of Technology, Poland
• “A comparison of estimation accuracy by the use of KF, EKF & UKF filters”, by A T Pieniezny, Military University of Technology, Poland
• “Novel method for watermarking operating on the HF and VHF radio links” by Z Pietrowski, Military University of Technology, Poland
• “Optoelectronic system for phase array antenna beam steering”, by E Seden, Communications Research Institute, Poland.
• “Nitrogen dioxide detection using an optoelectronic sensor”, by W Kolosowski, Military University of Technology, Poland.
  

A Special Session on Experiments and Analysis of Reinforced Concrete was organised by Professor C G Karayannis of the Democritus University of Greece who first presented a paper on “Cyclic testing of reinforced concrete beam column joints with cross inclined bars”.  Other papers in the Session were:  

• “Tests and analysis of reinforced concrete beams under torsion retrofitted with FRP strips”, by CE Chalioris, Democritus University of Greece
• “Influence of masonry strength and rectangular spiral shear reinforcement on infilled RC frames under cyclic loading”, by DL Kakaletsis, Technical Educational Institute of Serres, Greece
• “Application of the cement hydration equation in self-compacting concrete’s compressive strength”, by K K Sideris, Democritus University of Greece.

 Conference Dinner

The conference banquet took place in a specially chartered boat sailing along the Vlada River.  The delegates had occasion to see the sites of Prague at night when the city buildings are lit up, producing that golden light that is so characteristic of Prague. Music, drinks and the amiable atmosphere contributed to making this a most enjoyable and friendly occasion. Even the weather, uncertain during the Conference, was kind to the delegates, becoming mild and dry for the river excursion.

 Publication of Papers

The Proceedings of Computational Methods and Experimental Measurements XIII, 928pp (ISBN: 1-84564-084-2) are available in hard back from WIT Press priced at £295/US$585/€442.50. Orders can be placed by telephone: +44 (0) 238 029 3223, fax: +44 (0) 238 029 2853, e-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or via the WIT Press web site at www.witpress.com

Papers from the conference will also be hosted online at the WIT eLibrary as Volume 46 of WIT Transactions on Modelling and Simulation (ISSN: 1743-355X). For more details visit the WITeLibrary at www.witpress.com