Building Structures (3^rd Ed.) understanding the basics

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.

Preface to the Third Edition. Introduction. 1. Loads and load paths. 2. Internal forces. 3. Structural element behaviour. 4. Advanced concepts of stress. 5. Structural materials. 6. Safe structures and failure. 7. Geometry and structural behaviour. 8. Below-ground structures. 9. Behaviour of a simple building. 10. Real structures. 11. Structural conception. 12. Structures and built form. 13. Structures in Existing Buildings. 14. A simple approach to calculations. 15. Dynamic Behaviour. 16. Progressive collapse and robustness. 17. The mathematical basis. 18. The basis for computer calculations. 19. The successful structural project. Further Reading. Index.

Malcolm Millais is a structural engineer.