Understanding Structures

Explains the fundamentals of structural analysis, materials and design. This book focuses on the process of design using real data and avoiding a mathematical approach to encourage a feel and awareness for the physical behaviour of structures.

This text explains structural analysis, materials and design. By adopting an integrated approach, the author aims to increase the motivation of the reader, since the relevance of the theory is explained by applying the principles of structural analysis and design to realistic examples.

This conceptual introduction to architectural structures covers all the basic structural principles and terms, explains how to use statistics of equilibrium formulae to calculate beam reactions, and employs illustrations and multi-exposure model photographs to provide a compelling overall guide to structural behavior. Also distinguishing this guide from many others on the market are its case studies and useful preliminary sizing data.

Before structural mechanics became the common language of structural engineers, buildings were built based on observed behavior, with every new solution incurring high levels of risk. Today, the pendulum has swung in the other direction. The web of structural mechanics is so finely woven that it hides the role of experience in design, again leading to high levels of risk. Understanding Structures brings the art and science of structures into the environment of a computer game. The book imparts a basic understanding of how buildings and bridges resist gravity, wind, and earthquake loads. Its interactive presentation of topics spans elementary concepts of force in trusses to bending of beams and the response of multistory, multi-bay frames. Formulate Graphical and Quantitative Solutions with GOYA The companion software, GOYA, runs easily on any java-enabled system. This interactive learning environment allows engineers to obtain quick and instructive graphical and quantitative solutions to many problems in structures. Simulation is critical to the design and construction of safe structures. Using GOYA and the tools within Understanding Structures, engineers can enhance their overall understanding of structure response as well as expedite the process of safe structure design.

This is a one-stop book for knowing everything important about building structures. Self-contained and with no prerequisites needed, it is suitable for both general readers and building professionals. follow the history of structural understanding; grasp the concepts of structural behaviour via step-by-step explanations; apply these concepts to a simple building; see how these concepts apply to real buildings, from Durham Cathedral to the Bank of China; use these concepts to define the design process; see how these concepts inform design choices; understand how engineering and architecture have diverged, and what effect this had; learn to do simple but relevant numerical calculations for actual structures; understand when dynamics are important; follow the development of progressive collapse prevention; enter the world of modern structural theory; see how computers can be used for structural analysis; learn how to organise and design a successful project. With more than 500 pages and over 1100 user-friendly diagrams, this book is a must for anyone who would like to understand the fascinating world of structures.

This title uses model structures to demonstrate the way different types of structural elements behave under a given set of circumstances and the way in which the form of the structure influences that behaviour. It enables students to develop intuitive feeling for structural behaviour by observing different forms of structure under load.

This book describes the use of matrix structures in large, complex organizations such as MNCs. Using an information-processing perspective of organization design, it develops a more comprehensive theory for fitting the structural configurations of matrix structures to key characteristics of firm strategy. Empirical research by the authors supports this theoretical framework. In addition to structural configuration, Understanding Matrix Structures identifies and develops the mode of decision making within a matrix as an important second dimension of matrix structure design. It can be either balanced (joint) decision making by the two dimensions of a matrix or rule-based decision making, where rules pre-assign certain decisions to one dimension or the other for unitary decision making. Recent exploratory research by the authors supports this conceptual framework and provides the potential to create a more flexible matrix structure- one that facilitates a more ambidextrous organization.

This book explains aircraft structures so as to provide a basic understanding of the subject and the terminology used, as well as illustrating some of the problems.It provides a brief historical background, and covers parts of the aeroplane, loads, structural form, materials, processes, detail design, quality control, stressing, and the documentation associated with modification and repairs.The Fourth Edition takes account of new materials and the new European regulatory system.