Basic Structures

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.

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

Philip Garrison BSc MBA CEng MICE MIStructE MIHT is a Chartered Civil and Structural Engineer and Senior Lecturer in Structural Design in the Civil Engineering Departmentat Leeds Beckett University

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 was written to:

• explain structural concepts using analogies and examples to illustrate the key points
• express the mathematical aspects of the subject as clearly as possible and in context with the concepts involved
• maintain reader interest by using real-life examples and case histories to underline the relevance of the material

As such it provides the student with a clear explanation of structural concepts using many analogies, diagrams, clear examples and exercises. These concepts are illustrated in a range of case studies and the book contains many full colour photographs and line illustrations. This new edition sees the addition of 7 new chapters which together serve as an easy introduction to some more advanced topics in structural engineering and design.

Like the preceding two editions, this third edition continues to give students of civil engineering, architecture and related disciplines such as quantity surveying, building surveying, construction management and architectural technology, a thorough grounding in the fundamentals and a 'feel' for the way buildings behave structurally.