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 stiffness, 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.