Understanding and Using Structural Concepts

Overview of Structural Concepts
What Are Structural Concepts?
Why Study Structural Concepts?
Approaches to Learning Structural Concepts
Organisation of the Text
How to Use This Book

STATICS

Equilibrium
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Centre of Mass
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Effect of Different Cross Sections
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Stress Distribution
Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Bending
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Shear and Torsion
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Span and Deflection
Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Direct Force Paths
Definitions, Concepts and Criteria
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Smaller Internal Forces
Concepts and a Criterion
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Buckling
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Prestress
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Horizontal Movements of Structures Induced by Vertical Loads
Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

DYNAMICS

Energy Exchange
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Pendulums
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Free Vibration
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Resonance
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Damping in Structures
Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Vibration Reduction
Definitions and Concepts
Theoretical Background
Model Demonstrations
Practical Examples

Human Body Models in Structural Vibration
Concepts
Theoretical Background
Demonstration Tests
Practical Examples

SYNTHESIS

Static and Modal Stiffnesses
General Comments on Stiffness
Definitions of the Static Stiffness and Modal Stiffness
The Relationship between Static and Modal Stiffnesses of a Structure
Verification
Application
Discussion
Summary

Static and Dynamic Problems
Preliminary Comments
Maximum Displacement and Fundamental Natural Frequency
Buckling Load and Fundamental Natural Frequency
Periodic Dynamic Loads and Corresponding Static Loads
Tension Force and Fundamental Natural Frequency
Summary

Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Characteristics of Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Modelling the Relationships between Experimental and Theoretical Studies
Comparison Model
Integration Model
Verification Model
Explanation Model
Creation Model
Extension Model
Links between the Relationship Models

Theory and Practice
Preliminary Comments
Theoretical and Practical Sources for Structural Concepts
Relationship between Theory and Practice
Bridging the Gaps between Theory and Practice
Summary

Biography

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.

"Tianjian Ji and his co-authors have assembled a wealth of models, practical and visual examples to illustrate structural concepts, many of which students find confusing. They show that many structural concepts can be understood in quite simple, physical terms, without recourse to mathematics. Their text offers a valuable and interesting supplement to the more analytical structures books with which many students will be familiar."
—Martin Williams, University of Oxford, UK

"… an excellent source for both undergraduate and postgraduate students on any engineering course. … of great value to researchers and practitioners involved with the analysis of structures. There is a very good coverage of the subject: as it covers both the statics and dynamics of structures. The book also brings together theoretical and experimental approaches in analyzing structures and how the gap between them may be bridged. This is quite unique in structural analysis books."
—Messaoud Saidani, Coventry University, UK

"This is an excellent book. The authors are well known for their use of physical models to demonstrate structural concepts and this book will make their ideas more widely available."

-- Peter Bullman in The Structural Engineer