Table of Contents
Acknowledgements ix
Introduction x
1 What is structural engineering? 1
2 Learn the language: a simple explanation of terms used by structural engineers 8
3 How do structures (and parts of structures) behave? 11
4 Force, mass and weight 26
5 Loading – dead or alive 32
6 Equilibrium – a balanced approach 38
7 More about forces: resultants and components 43
8 Moments 54
9 Reactions 67
10 Different types of support – and what’s a pin? 73
11 A few words about stability 81
12 Introduction to the analysis of pin-jointed frames 93
13 Method of resolution at joints 98
14 Method of sections 119
15 Graphical method 127
16 Shear force and bending moments 137
17 This thing called stress 168
18 Direct (and shear) stress 173
19 Bending stress 184
20 Combined bending and axial stress 205
21 Structural materials: concrete, steel, timber and masonry 218
22 More on materials 229
23 How far can I span? 235
24 Calculating those loads 242
25 An introduction to structural design 252
26 More on structural types and forms 291
27 An introduction to deflection 310
28 Shear stress 324
29 Buckling and torsion 333
30 Frames and three-pinned arches 344
31 Virtual work 356
32 Squares and circles of stress: An introduction to Mohr’s Circle 363
33 Trusses (no numbers) 380
34 Plastic analysis 388
Further reading 402
Appendix 1: Weights of common building materials 403
Appendix 2: Conversions and relationships between units 405
Appendix 3: Mathematics associated with right-angled triangles 407
Appendix 4: Symbols 409
Appendix 5: A checklist for architects 410
Appendix 6: Getting more out of civil engineering 411
Index 413
