For the student at higher technician or first degree level it provides a single source of information on the behaviour and practical design of the main elements of the building structure.

With plenty of worked examples and diagrams, it is a useful textbook not only for students of structural and civil engineering, but also for those on courses in related subjects such as architecture, building and surveying whose studies include the design of structural elements.

Trevor Draycott the former Buildings and Standards Manager with Lancashire County Council’s Department of Property Services has 50 years experience in the construction industry. For 20 years he was also an associate lecturer in structures at Lancashire Polytechnic, now the University of Central Lancashire in Preston. For many years he served on the Institution of Structural Engineers, North West Branch, professional interview panel and the North West regional committee of the Timber Research and Development Association.

Peter Bullman worked for Felix J Samuely and Partners, Taylor Woodrow Construction and Building Design Partnership before joining Bolton Institute, now the University of Bolton, as a lecturer in structural engineering. He has taught structural design on higher technician, degree and postgraduate courses, and has run courses to prepare engineers for the IStructE Chartered Membership examination.