Understanding and Using Structural Concepts

Understanding and Using Structural Concepts, Second Edition provides numerous demonstrations using physical models and practical examples. A significant amount of material, not found in current textbooks, is included to enhance the understanding of structural concepts and stimulate interest in learning, creative thinking, and design. This is achieved through: Connecting abstract theory with visual and practical examples Providing simple illustrative demonstration models, which can be used in conventional class teaching, to capture the essence of the concepts Including associated engineering examples, which demonstrate the application of the concepts and help to bridge the gap between theory and practice Incorporating the development of teaching material and innovative examples relating to structural concepts based on current research work In addition to new models and examples, Understanding and Using Structural Concepts, Second Edition provides a third part, Synthesis. This considers the relationships between static and modal stiffnesses, static and dynamic problems, experimental and theoretical studies, and theory and practice. All of these relationships are linked to structural concepts. This book will be of interest to all engineers, from students to consultants. It will be useful to civil and structural engineering students, including graduate students, in all years of their courses as well as the more technically-minded architecture students and practicing engineers.

Overview of Structural ConceptsWhat Are Structural Concepts?Why Study Structural Concepts?Approaches to Learning Structural ConceptsOrganisation of the TextHow to Use This BookSTATICSEquilibriumDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesCentre of MassDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesEffect of Different Cross SectionsDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesStress DistributionConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesBendingDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesShear and TorsionDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesSpan and DeflectionConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesDirect Force PathsDefinitions, Concepts and CriteriaTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesSmaller Internal ForcesConcepts and a CriterionTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesBucklingDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesPrestressDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical Examples Horizontal Movements of Structures Induced by Vertical LoadsConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesDYNAMICSEnergy ExchangeDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesPendulumsDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesFree VibrationDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesResonanceDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesDamping in StructuresConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesVibration ReductionDefinitions and ConceptsTheoretical BackgroundModel DemonstrationsPractical ExamplesHuman Body Models in Structural VibrationConceptsTheoretical BackgroundDemonstration TestsPractical ExamplesSYNTHESISStatic and Modal StiffnessesGeneral Comments on StiffnessDefinitions of the Static Stiffness and Modal StiffnessThe Relationship between Static and Modal Stiffnesses of a StructureVerificationApplicationDiscussionSummaryStatic and Dynamic ProblemsPreliminary CommentsMaximum Displacement and Fundamental Natural FrequencyBuckling Load and Fundamental Natural FrequencyPeriodic Dynamic Loads and Corresponding Static LoadsTension Force and Fundamental Natural FrequencySummaryExperimental and Theoretical StudiesCharacteristics of Experimental and Theoretical StudiesModelling the Relationships between Experimental and Theoretical StudiesComparison ModelIntegration ModelVerification ModelExplanation ModelCreation ModelExtension ModelLinks between the Relationship ModelsTheory and PracticePreliminary CommentsTheoretical and Practical Sources for Structural ConceptsRelationship between Theory and PracticeBridging the Gaps between Theory and PracticeSummary

Tianjian Ji, MSc, PhD, CEng, FIStructE, is a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester. He worked on the design of structures and on structural investigation with consultants, China Academy of Building Research and Building Research Establishment Ltd., UK, for over 10 years before joining Manchester University in 1996. He has taught courses in structural analysis and structural design at all levels and has carried out research into structural dynamics and structural concepts. Together with Adrian Bell, he received the award for Excellence in Structural Engineering Education from the Institution of Structural Engineers, UK, in 2014. Adrian Bell, BEng, MSc, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester. He has worked with consultants on the design of a wide range of structures including long-span roofs and tower structures. He has taught courses in structural analysis and structural design at all levels for over 30 years and has carried out research into cable, steel and masonry structures. Together with Tianjian Ji, he received the award for Excellence in Structural Engineering Education from the Institution of Structural Engineers, UK, in 2014. Brian Ellis, BSc, PhD, DSc, CEng, MIStructE, was a technical director at the Building Research Establishment Ltd., UK. He worked at the Building Research Establishment for most of his career, where he undertook a wide range of work primarily related to structural dynamics. A significant part of the work involved testing and monitoring various structures in situ. He was also involved in work on national and international standards. Following his retirement, he has undertaken a limited amount of consultancy work.