Understanding Structures

"[This] text clearly and completely explains essential concepts, develops an intuitive understanding (assisted by clever illustrations) and provides practical 'real world' examples." Vaughan Maybury, Lecturer, Wellington Institute of Technology, New Zealand.

A highly illustrated textbook explaining the fundamentals of structural analysis, materials and design in one integrated volume. Each stage of the design process is illustrated by a realistic numerical example which is based on genuine design data.

A highly illustrated textbook explaining the fundamentals of structural analysis, materials and design in one integrated volume. This integrated approach enables the student to tackle realistic design problems in the shortest possible time, and, because the relevance of the theory is immediately relevant, it is highly motivational. The text follows the process of design from initial concept through to final details. It focuses on using real data and avoiding a complex mathematical approach to encourage a feel and awareness for the physical behaviour of structures. Each stage of the design process is illustrated by a realistic numerical example which is based on genuine design data. The book is up-to-date for the Eurocodes.

The book is intended for first year undergraduates and BTEC students of civil and structural engineering, building, architecture and surveying. Because it contains a lot of real design data, it may also be useful as a work of reference for the non-specialist practitioner.