Digital library
Textbooks, references and open learning resources.
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The Design of the Built Environment: The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Campus and Its Context
Kevin Hinders · Illinois Open Publishing Network · 2026
Kevin J. Hinders’s The Design of the Built Environment offers an exploration of the architectural, cultural, and historical development of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus and its surrounding context. Structured around thematic walking tours, the manuscript examines architectural principles and then uses the campus and its surroundings to illustrate the concepts. It delves into the evolution of public spaces, technical design considerations, and the influence of local, regional, and national planning. Through case studies, historical analysis, and design theory, Hinders illustrates how built environments reflect collective values, cultural shifts, and functional needs. The work emphasizes experiential learning and encourages readers to engage with the built world through observation, reflection, and spatial understanding.
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Elements of Airplane Performance
Gerrit Ruijgrok; Mark Voskuijl; Carmine Varriale · TU Delft Open · 2025
Elements of Airplane Performance provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles governing the flight performance of fixed-wing aircraft. After covering fundamental concepts related to atmospheric properties, equations of motion, aerodynamics, propeller and jet propulsion, electric powertrains, and flight instrumentation, the book guides its readers through the analysis of performance in steady and accelerated flight. Detailed chapters are dedicated to the most important flight phases: climb and descent (including gliding), cruise, take-off and landing, turning and maneuvering flight. Both point and path performance are covered, and the effect of aircraft design parameters, as well as operational parameters like weight, altitude, and local atmospheric conditions, are discussed. Appendices offer essential background in mechanics, coordinate systems and transformations, fluid dynamics, and a standard atmosphere model. Exercises are provided at the end of each chapter.
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Ethics in Technology
Edward Weber · St. Charles Community College · 2025
The purpose of this text is to serve as an Open Education Resource (OER) designed initially to be used in a secondary or post-secondary education setting. It is intended to be a guide to facilitate focused discussions about contemporary issues of the ethical considerations related to technology evolution, development, deployment, and consumption, as well as issues (both known and unknown) of potential misuse and abuse of technology. This is not a traditional Ethics textbook in that it is not intended to provide a survey of all of the history of Ethics through the ages nor is it intended to dive deeply into any particular ethical movements or frameworks as may be the focus of other ethics studies. Rather, it is intended to focus predominantly on the concepts of applying critical and ethical thinking to issues and subsequent decisions related to our interactions with technology in the 21st century.
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Transitioning towards a circular (healthcare) economy: Circular Economy principles, leadership, policy and decision-making
Bart van Straten; Bruno Bruins; Tim Horeman · TU Delft Open · 2025
This book offers a comprehensive roadmap toward a circular and sustainable healthcare system, structured into three distinct parts. Part I describes circular principles and policy tactics. Chapter 1 outlines the essentials of sustainable healthcare and designates the paradox in daily practice of sustainability and the circular economy. In Chapter 2 the impact of leadership on policy together with best practices is discussed. The legislation and infrastructural web, in which many stakeholders and circular economy initiatives are strangled, is described. Despite the fact that politicians and policymakers are motivated to encourage sustainability, the infrastructure is designed to discourage circular economy projects. This chapter shows examples of setting-up intrinsic motivated teams of hospital staff, green teams, industry leaders and scientific motivated research teams. Swimming against the current is about the legislation paradox. In chapter 3 described as how legislation should be redesigned to accomplish the goals as set out in the green deal and the climate law. Part II serves as a practical guide to implementing circular strategies. In chapter 4 the reader is guided through the fundamentals of circular strategies by visualizing the circular economy. Chapter 5 reveals successful design strategies for products and processes which contribute to a zero-waste society. Using recycled materials by using waste as input for new products is described in chapter 6. In chapter 6 we will explore (surgical) waste as input for new products. Recycled should and could be used more. This is a fundamental concept within circular design principles but hardly used until this moment. Part III explores circular economy design principles on basis of successful examples. This part dives into real-world applications and measurable outcomes. It showcases successful circular design concepts and business models that have reshaped the market. Chapter 7: Is about leading by design. Success s
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Configuration Aerodynamics
William Mason; Pradeep Raj · Virginia Tech Publishing · 2026
Practical applications of aerodynamic theory are critically important for aerodynamic design of aircraft configurations, but are often omitted from aerospace engineering curricula. Lecture Notes on Configuration Aerodynamics is an incredible resource for educating the next generation of aerospace engineering students who aspire to engage in the aerodynamic design of aircraft configurations. It shows how aerodynamic theory is applied in practice, giving students insight into what a career in aerodynamics entails. This open textbook offers a design-oriented perspective of the development and analysis of aircraft aerodynamics. Based on his academic experience as a professor and his industrial experience at Grumman, Mason presents decades of relevant knowledge and wisdom of a large number of exceptional researchers and practicing engineers. Extensive references throughout the book encourage further study of configuration aerodynamics. This book encompasses the aerodynamic design of flight vehicles with emphasis on flow fields and configuration concepts. Mason covers methodologies for aerodynamic analysis and design for flows ranging from low speed to high speed and includes case studies of classic configurations. Are you reviewing or adopting this book for a course?Please help us understand your use by filling out this form.
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Petroleum Reservoir Dynamics
Mehdi Zeidouni · Louisiana State University · 2025
The book is structured into nine chapters, each designed to build a comprehensive understanding of reservoir engineering principles. Chapter 1 introduces the discipline and its connections with other areas of petroleum engineering. Chapters 2 through 5 address steady-state flow and its various complexities: Darcy’s equation and its limitations (Chapter 2); flow geometries and skin factor concepts (Chapter 3); compressible oil and gas flow (Chapter 4); and non-horizontal flow using the flow potential concept (Chapter 5). In Chapter 6, the pressure diffusivity equation is explored alongside key concepts of radius of investigation and average reservoir pressure. Chapter 7 delves into the pseudo-steady-state (PSS) flow regime, its applications in multi-well drainage, and its relationship with well productivity index, inflow performance relationship, vertical flow performance, and nodal analysis. The final chapters focus on transient radial flow and its applications in well testing. Chapter 8 introduces transient drawdown analysis. Chapter 9 discusses the superposition principle in time and space, with application to the modeling of sealing faults and buildup test analysis. To enhance engagement and learning, each chapter includes quiz questions - primarily in a True/False format - with answers provided at the end of the book. Additionally, numerous examples are integrated throughout to demonstrate the practical significance of the concepts and their relevance to reservoir engineering practice.
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Graphs, Formulas and Tables relevant to Transport Phenomena
Martin Rohde · TU Delft Open · 2024
This book provides relevant information required during BSc-level courses on Transport Phenomena, encompassing micro- and macroscopic balances, correlations for friction, heat transfer and species transport and material properties. The information comes in handy during exercise classes and written exams.
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Network quality control
Peter Teunissen · TU Delft Open · 2024
The aim of computing a geodetic network is to determine the geometry of the configuration of a set of points from spatial observations (e.g. GPS baselines and/or terrestrial measurements). The configuration of points usually consists of newly established points, of which the coordinates still need to be determined, and already existing points, the so-called control points, of which the coordinates are known. Network quality control deals with the qualitative aspects of network design, network adjustment, network validation and network connection. By means of a network adjustment the relative geometry of the new points is determined and integrated into the geometry of the existing control points. Prior to the network adjustment, the geometry of the network is designed on the basis of precision and reliability criteria. The adjustment and validation of the overall geometry can be divided in two phases, the free network phase and the connected network phase. In the free network phase, the known coordinates of the control points do not take part in the adjustment and validation. The possible use of a free network phase is based on the idea that a good geodetic network should be sufficiently precise and reliable in itself, without the need of external control. Moreover, it allows one to validate the quality of the external control. In the connected network phase, the geometry of the free network is integrated into the geometry of the control points. Adjustment and validation in this second phase differs from the free network phase. The adjustment in the second phase is a constrained connection adjustment, since it is often not practical to see the coordinates of the control points change every time a free network is connected to them. For the validation of the connected network however, the unconstrained connected adjustment is used as input. This allows one to take the intrinsic uncertainty of the coordinates of the control points in the connection phase into account. T
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An Australian and New Zealand Human Resource Management Guide to Work Health and Safety
Lynnaire Sheridan · University of Otago · 2023
An Australian and New Zealand Human Resource Management Guide to Work Health and Safety (WHS) is comprised of three sections: an historical overview, an introduction to theory, and a guide to WHS implementation via the adoption and enactment of a safety management system. The socio-historical review of human ‘labour’ outlines foundational knowledge on the intertwined origins of worker labour and safety rights, while contextualising the formation and role of unions in securing labour rights that, today, are standard in Australian and New Zealand contexts. It enhances understanding of the historical origins of the contemporary disciplines of Employment Relations and WHS to explain their commonly shared assumptions and principles. The theoretical introduction defines key concepts for WHS management and outlines James Reasons’ Swiss Cheese Model of safety incident causation. A systems-based approach to WHS management is proposed as a mechanism to identify, and actively resolve, latent factors before introducing organisational safety culture as fundamental to effective WHS management. The guide to implementation outlines the leadership commitment, policies, procedures, planning, and compliance competency required before a safety management system can begin. It explores implementation of hazard identification, risk assessment, and hazard control procedures before emphasising that this should occur parallel to establishing effective emergency response procedures. It concludes by outlining how to use measurement and evaluation to ‘close the loop’ ready for the next iteration of the safety management system cycle. This book affords Human Resource managers a comprehensive overview of Safety I approaches to WHS while outlining how theory and practice is shifting towards a more human-centric, Safety II, approach. It puts workers, and their health, at the centre of WHS management while recognising the organisational constraints within which WHS practitioners operate.
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Design for Electrical and Computer Engineers
Christopher Coulston; Ralph Ford · Ralph Ford and Christopher Coulston · 2024
Originally published by McGraw Hill in 2009, Design for Electrical and Computer Engineers is written for students and teachers engaged in electrical and computer engineering design projects, primarily in the senior year. It guides students and faculty through the steps necessary for the successful execution of design projects. The objective is to provide a treatment of the design process with a sound academic basis that is integrated with practical application. The foundation of the book is a strong vision — that a solid understanding of the Design Process, Design Tools, and the right mix of Professional Skills are critical for project and career success. This text is unique in providing a comprehensive design treatment for electrical and computer engineering.
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Dynamic data processing: Recursive least-squares
Peter Teunissen · TU Delft Open · 2024
This book is a follow-up on Adjustment theory. It extends the theory to the case of time-varying parameters with an emphasis on their recursive determination. Least-squares estimation will be the leading principle used. A least-squares solution is said to be recursive when the method of computation enables sequential, rather than batch, processing of the measurement data. The recursive equations enable the updating of parameter estimates for new observations without the need to store all past observations. Methods of recursive least-squares estimation are therefore particularly useful for applications in which the time-varying parameters need to be instantly determined. Important examples of such applications can be found in the fields of real-time kinematic positioning, navigation and guidance, or multivariate time series analysis. The goal of this book is therefore to convey the necessary knowledge to be able to process sequentially collected measurements for the purpose of estimating time-varying parameters. When determining time-varying parameters from sequentially collected measurement data, one can discriminate between three types of estimation problems: filtering, prediction and smoothing. Filtering aims at the determination of current parameter values, while smoothing and prediction aim at the determination of respectively past and future parameter values. The emphasis in this book will be on recursive least-squares filtering. The theory is worked out for the important case of linear(ized) models. The measurement-update and time-update equations of recursive least-squares are discussed in detail. Models with sequentially collected data, but time-invariant parameters are treated first. In this case only the measurement-update equations apply. State-space models for dynamic systems are discussed so as to include time-varying parameters. This includes their linearization and the construction of the state transition matrix. Elements from the theory of random fun
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Sustainable Mobility
Shams Tanvir · Mavs Open Press · 2024
This textbook and OER material cover tools and basic knowledge required to prepare transportation engineers and planners to contribute towards a carbon-neutral mobility future. In addition, we will explore the potential for vehicle electrification, automation, connectivity, and ridesharing to reduce the carbon impacts of auto mobility. The textbook modules are intended to inform and teach students how to design streets for modes that have almost no carbon emissions. The goal of the textbook is to train engineering students on existing tools and policy levers that can be used to incorporate emerging transportation technologies in a sustainable, equitable, and efficient manner. The course is designed for graduate transportation engineering, and city and regional planning students. The undergraduate seniors will be able to absorb the materials given they have already taken fundamental courses on transportation engineering and planning, including traffic engineering and highway design. This textbook is a product of the grant OERTransport: Enabling Transportation Planning Professional Advancement awarded to the University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) in consortium with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the University of South Florida (USF). It was developed under an Open Textbooks Pilot grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. However, its contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and no endorsement by the Federal Government should be assumed.
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Fundamentals of Math, Physics, and Statistics for Future Transportation Professionals
Anurag Pande; Peyton Ratto; Ahmed Farid · Mavs Open Press · 2024
This textbook and OER material cover tools and basic knowledge required to master the prerequisite essentials of physics, mathematics, and statistics applied in transportation engineering. To our knowledge, no such textbook currently exists to build the KSTs (Knowledge, Skills, Tools) for college freshmen’ remedial courses required by most transportation engineering graduate programs that admit non-engineers (e.g., PHYS 141, MATH 142, STAT 321 at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo). The textbook modules are intended for students with undergraduate degrees in planning and other less technical fields who are interested in pursuing transportation careers where background engineering knowledge is required. This textbook is a product of the grant OERTransport: Enabling Transportation Planning Professional Advancement awarded to the University of Texas-Arlington (UTA) in consortium with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) and the University of South Florida (USF). It was developed under an Open Textbooks Pilot grant from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education. However, its contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and no endorsement by the Federal Government should be assumed
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Structural Dynamics
Hilmi Luş; Sinan Keten · Northwestern University Libraries · 2024
This textbook represents our effort to make freely available to students and practitioners the theory and common applications of structural dynamics. The presentation is hoped to inspire interest and active learning. The book's content is expected to evolve and expand in time so we truly welcome suggestions from readers and colleagues. To make available in a timely manner, the first upload/edition has been limited topics that could be covered in a senior level undergraduate or an introductory level graduate course in a single semester. Given the vastness of the theory and practical details, such a compromise was inevitable. On the other hand we hope that by continuing to expand the contents at certain intervals the material will eventually cover a very significant portion of the relevant literature and current practices. This living nature of the electronic medium was what motivated us to undertake this project to begin with. We thank Northwestern University Libraries for their interest in this textbook, and we express our gratitude to Xinyan Yang for her help in solving many problems we encountered along the way.
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Measurement and Instrumentation: An Introduction to Concepts and Methods
John Dyer; Chad Davis · SHAREOK · 2020
Measurement and instrumentation are fundamental elements of many engineering projects. From research, to development, to manufacturing, to user products, engineers are constantly needing to measure things: brightness of a light, dimensions of an object, separation between things, frequency content, stress, strain, pressure, voltage, etc. In the real world measuring systems are not perfect, so the results of a measurement are only an estimate of the true value. Instrumentation for making measurements relies on some fundamental assumptions to ensure the veracity of the measurements. Some key elements are: bandwidth, sampling rate, dynamic range, sensor type, etc. This text discusses the basic concepts of what a measurement is, how the instrumentation chosen (or developed) can affect the measurement, and how to deal with the measurement error that is in all instrumentation systems. Topics include data acquisition, signal conditioning, sensor types, and measurement noise and its various noise distributions. The text concludes with three user projects that bring together these topics into an informative work that reinforces the theory.
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Electromechanical Systems
Chad Davis · SHAREOK · 2018
This eBook was written as the third installment in the series that coincide with three engineering courses taught at the University of Oklahoma (ENGR 2431, ENGR 2531, and ENGR 3431). These courses were designed to provide non-major students – those not majoring in electrical or computer engineering (ECE) – a foundation in various ECE topics. ENGR 2431 is a prerequisite for both ENGR 2531 and ENGR 3431 and it is recommended that the DC Circuits book be studied prior to beginning the eBooks created for the other two courses. The following topics are covered in this book: LabVIEW Overview Module 1 – Number Systems and Character Encoding Module 2 – Digital Logic Module 3 – Measurement and Instrumentation Overview Module 4 – Sensors Module 5 – Power Systems Module 6 – Electric Machines Module 7 – Computer Communications Appendix A – Step by Step Guide to Digital, Analog, and Counter IOs in a DAQ
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Testing theory: an introduction
Peter Teunissen · TU Delft Open · 2024
These lecture notes are a follow up on Adjustment theory. Adjustment theory deals with the optimal combination of redundant measurements together with the estimation of unknown parameters. There are two main reasons for performing redundant measurements. First, the wish to increase the accuracy of the results computed. Second, the requirement to be able to check for mistakes or errors. The present book addresses this second topic. Although one always will try one's best to avoid making mistakes, they can and will occasionally happen. It is therefore of importance to have ways of detecting and identifying such mistakes. Mistakes or errors can come in many different guises. They could be caused by mistakes made by the observer, or by the fact that defective instruments are used, or by wrong assumptions about the functional relations between the observables. When passed unnoticed, these errors will deteriorate the final results. The goal of this introductory course on testing theory is therefore to convey the necessary knowledge for testing the validity of both the measurements and the mathematical model. Typical questions that will be addressed are: 'How to check the validity of the mathematical model? How to search for certain mistakes or errors? How well can errors be traced? And how do undetected errors affect the final results?' The theory is worked out in detail for the important case of linear(ized) models. Both the parametric form (observation equations) and the implicit form (condition equations) of linear models are treated. As an additional aid in understanding the basic principles involved, a geometric interpretation is given throughout. Attention is also paid to the performance of the testing procedures. The closely related concept of reliability is introduced and diagnostic measures are given to determine the size of the minimal detectable biases. In this introductory text the methodology of testing is emphasized, although various examples are given to il
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Adjustment theory: an introduction
Peter Teunissen · TU Delft Open · 2024
Adjustment theory can be regarded as the part of mathematical geodesy that deals with the optimal combination of redundant measurements together with the estimation of unknown parameters. It is essential for a geodesist, its meaning comparable to what mechanics means to a civil engineer or a mechanical engineer. Historically, the first methods of combining redundant measurements originate from the study of three problems in geodesy and astronomy, namely to determine the size and shape of the Earth, to explain the long-term inequality in the motions of Jupiter and Saturn, and to find a mathematical representation of the motions of the Moon. Nowadays, the methods of adjustment are used for a much greater variety of geodetic applications, ranging from, for instance, surveying and navigation to remote sensing and global positioning. The two main reasons for performing redundant measurements are the wish to increase the accuracy of the results computed and the requirement to be able to check for errors. Due to the intrinsic uncertainty in measurements, measurement redundancy generally leads to an inconsistent system of equations. Without additional criteria, such a system of equations is not uniquely solvable. In this introductory course on adjustment theory, methods are developed and presented for solving inconsistent systems of equations. The leading principle is that of least-squares adjustment together with its statistical properties. The inconsistent systems of equations can come in many different guises. They could be given in parametric form, in implicit form, or as a combination of these two forms. In each case the same principle of least-squares applies. The algorithmic realizations of the solution will differ however. Depending on the application at hand, one could also wish to choose between obtaining the solution in one single step or in a step-wise manner. This leads to the need of formulating the system of equations in partitioned form. Different partitions
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Building Cost Planning: Best Practices and Insights
Thilini Jayawickrama; Ruchini Jayasinghe; Ravindu Kahandawa; Rameez Rameezdeen · Council of Australian University Librarians · 2023
This book focuses on the cost planning of building construction projects with special reference to the Australian and New Zealand context. Design development and cost planning with elemental analysis are emphasised in the pre-construction cost management process in the region. This book translates the well-established practice of pre-construction cost management process in the construction industry into a published academic and professional resource which can be used for teaching higher education students and for professional training programs. Building cost planning is considered from the client and the design team’s perspective and focuses on the functions of a cost manager. From the overview of the construction industry and the client’s team, to the detailed cost planning process and cost planning techniques at progressive stages in the pre-construction phase, this book is ideal as a guide to cost plan building construction projects. It follows an interactive style by featuring learning outcomes, self-review questions and learning activities for each chapter. It also extends theory into applications with case studies incorporated from the Australian and New Zealand construction industries. These approaches make this book useful for both students and practitioners in construction management.
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Introduction to Mechanical Design and Manufacturing
David Jensen · University of Arkansas · 2024
An introductory text on the design and manufacturing of products from a mechanical engineering perspective.