While mainstream organization theory has contributed to making organizations a productive part of society, they have simultaneously contributed to the creation of a “dark side” of…
Abstract
While mainstream organization theory has contributed to making organizations a productive part of society, they have simultaneously contributed to the creation of a “dark side” of organizational existence that stifles the individual, frustrates the attainment of desired social ends and distorts many core values of democratic societies. Mainstream theory recognizes this “dark side,” but has been unsuccessful at suggesting how it might be ameliorated or avoided. The writings of Foucault, however, reveal not only how the “dark side” arises but also how it might be avoided so that organizations may develop and pursue interests in common with both society and the individual.
A well-known scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the center of a vast…
Abstract
A well-known scientist once gave a public lecture on astronomy. He described how the earth orbits around the sun and how the sun, in turn, orbits around the center of a vast collection of stars called our galaxy. At the end of the lecture, a little old lady at the back of the room got up and said: “What you have told us is rubbish. The world is really a flat plate supported on the back of a giant tortoise.” The scientist gave a superior smile before replying, “What is the tortoise standing on?” “You’re very clever, young man,” said the old lady. “But it’s turtles all the way down!”
Presents a review on implementing finite element methods on supercomputers, workstations and PCs and gives main trends in hardware and software developments. An appendix included…
Abstract
Presents a review on implementing finite element methods on supercomputers, workstations and PCs and gives main trends in hardware and software developments. An appendix included at the end of the paper presents a bibliography on the subjects retrospectively to 1985 and approximately 1,100 references are listed.
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Against the various literatures asserting that myths serve administrators well in varying ways, this paper takes a decidedly skeptical stance. While myth is a tool that may be…
Abstract
Against the various literatures asserting that myths serve administrators well in varying ways, this paper takes a decidedly skeptical stance. While myth is a tool that may be well or poorly used, its use to fashion administrative theory, or to construct an administrative order, or to enhance administrative thought is most often a poor use indeed. What serves Public Administration best involves the much more difficult effort of constructing theories of historical causation that derive directly from the experiences that practitioners have with the problems they find it necessary or desirable to solve.
M.J. Panthaki, J.F. Abel and P.A. Wawrzynek
An important objective of 3‐D graphical finite element postprocessing is the facility to indicate to the engineer the accuracy of analysis results. The inclusion of mesh quality…
Abstract
An important objective of 3‐D graphical finite element postprocessing is the facility to indicate to the engineer the accuracy of analysis results. The inclusion of mesh quality sensors permits a subjective evaluation of the adequacy of a single analysis being interpreted. For graphical approaches, both strain energy density gradients and discontinuities of unsmoothed responses and their gradients have proved to be effective sensors. Interactive graphical tools which can display discontinuity information effectively are described; these are essentially different from the ordinary methods used for the viewing of smoothed results.
The use of dialectics and social construction theory can help expose rationalized institutional myths used to create useable knowledge. This discussion presents a popular…
Abstract
The use of dialectics and social construction theory can help expose rationalized institutional myths used to create useable knowledge. This discussion presents a popular technique, advocated and used among public officials when establishing pay scales, called a salary survey. Salary surveys appear rational because they use logical positivist (quantitative) methods to illustrate a “truth” that is actually “symbolic.” This process is institutionalized when pay discussions and decisions are required to proceed on the basis of salary surveys. Salary surveys take on the role of myth when they become accepted by officials as an “objective reality” without a thorough examination of the biases and assumptions. This study uses the ritual, validity, reality dialectic to illustrate how administrators construct and shape reality through social interaction. Through this dialectic, some officials may want to question their acceptance of salary survey practices and consider the recommendations offered in this article.
Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the…
Abstract
Gives a bibliographical review of the finite element methods (FEMs) applied for the linear and nonlinear, static and dynamic analyses of basic structural elements from the theoretical as well as practical points of view. The range of applications of FEMs in this area is wide and cannot be presented in a single paper; therefore aims to give the reader an encyclopaedic view on the subject. The bibliography at the end of the paper contains 2,025 references to papers, conference proceedings and theses/dissertations dealing with the analysis of beams, columns, rods, bars, cables, discs, blades, shafts, membranes, plates and shells that were published in 1992‐1995.
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Ayech Benjeddou and Mohamed Ali Hamdi
Presents a new B‐spline finite element for the dynamic analysis of unsymmetrical sandwich shells of revolution. The formulation takes account of the membrane and bending effects…
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Presents a new B‐spline finite element for the dynamic analysis of unsymmetrical sandwich shells of revolution. The formulation takes account of the membrane and bending effects in isotropic or orthotropic elastic facings, and membrane, bending and transverse shearing effects in an isotropic or othotropic elastic core. Both geometry and local displacements are interpolated by a set of B‐spline functions. The main aspects added by the sandwich structure of the element are the transverse shearing and membrane‐bending coupling effects in the core. These are well represented by a set of new variables which are the mean end relative in‐plane displacements of the facing middle surfaces. Together with the transverse displacement, these variables constitute the degrees of freedom (dofs) of this new B‐spline sandwich element. The finite elements are grouped into super‐elements with C1 continuity to obtain the whole finite element model. For each super‐element a total of five dofs per node is then obtained except for its end nodes where the derivatives of these dofs with respect to the meridional co‐ordinate are added. This choice reduces to a minimum the total number of dofs in comparison to existing sandwich elements. Evaluates the efficiency and accuracy of the proposed element through several benchmark examples. Compares the results with the analytical and numerical solutions found in the literature. A very satisfactory behaviour of the element was observed in all test cases.
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Bruce C. Bailey, Jerome F. Hajjar and John F. Abel
Recommendations for the development of effective three‐dimensional, graphical colour postprocessing are made. First, the evaluation of large, complex numerical models demands that…
Abstract
Recommendations for the development of effective three‐dimensional, graphical colour postprocessing are made. First, the evaluation of large, complex numerical models demands that a postprocessor be highly interactive. A menu of available functions should be provided and these operations should be performed quickly so that a sense of continuity and spontaneity exists during the post‐processing session. Second, an agenda for three‐dimensional colour postprocessing is proposed. A postprocessor must be versatile with respect to application and basic algorithms must be designed so that they are flexible. A complete selection of tools is necessary to allow arbitrary specification of views, extraction of qualitative information, and access to detailed quantitative and problem information. Finally, full use of advanced display hardware is necessary if interactivity is to be maximized and effective postprocessing of today's numerical simulations is to be achieved.