Basic Structures

Structural engineering is a key part of the design of the entire built environment. How a structure, for example a building or bridge, behaves when subjected to various forces the weight of the materials that were used to build it, the weight of the occupants in it or the traffic it carries, the force of the wind etc is fundamental to its success. Students of construction, architecture and civil engineering have to be confident in their understanding of structures, but many find the basic concepts difficult to understand and apply. Basic Structures provides the student with a clear explanation of structural concepts, using many analogies and examples. Real examples and case studies show the concepts in use, and the book is well illustrated with full colour photographs and many line illustrations, giving the student a thorough grounding in the fundamentals and a ′feel′ for the way buildings behave structurally. With many worked examples and tutorial questions, the book serves as an ideal introduction to the subject.