Building structures : understanding the basics / Malcolm Millais.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction : Prehistoric design ; Traditional design ; The effect of civilisation ; The search for structural understanding ; The modern approach to structural design ; The conceptual understanding of structural behaviour -- Loads and load paths : Natural loads ; Useful loads ; Accidental loads ; Loading summary ; Reaction loads ; Load paths -- Internal forces : Axial forces ; Bending moments and shear forces ; Structural diagrams ; Signs of structural forces ; A simple plane frame ; Slabs ; The structural action of load paths ; Twisting forces -- Structural element behaviour : Structural elements ; Concepts of stress and stress distribution Axial stresses ; Bending stresses ; Shear stresses ; Torsional stresses ; Curved elements ; Combined stresses -- Advanced concepts of stress : Principal stresses in one-dimensional elements ; Principal stresses in tow-dimensional elements ; The role of shear stresses in beams ; Effect of beam cross-section ; Biaxial bending ; Torsion and warping of open sections ; Composite elements and prestressing -- Structural materials : Types of material behaviour ; Actual structural materials ; Non-structural effects -- Safe structures and failure : Basic concepts of safety ; Types of structural collapse ; Plastic behaviour ; Axial instability ; Relationship of structural theories -- Geometry and structural behaviour : Geometry of structures ; The behaviour of structural systems ; Trusses and frames ; Cables and arches ; Tree-dimensional structures ; Prevention of axial instability -- Below-ground structures : Structure of the planet earth ; Above the crust: the pedosphere ; Geotechnical site investigations ; Soil as a structural material ; Rock as a structural material ; Foundations for vertical loads ; Earth-retaining structures ; Ground movement effects -- Behaviour of a simple building : Basic structure and loading ; The roof and walls ; The portal frames ; The wind bracing system ; The floor structure ; The foundations -- Real structures : Durham Cathedral ; the Palm House ; Zarzuela Hippodrome ; CNIT Exposition Palace ; Federal Reserve Bank ; Bank of China -- Structural conception : Structures in buildings ; Conceptual load paths ; Load path geometry ; Overall Structural behaviour ; Choice of materials and elements ; Element connection ; Structures and building construction -- Structures and built from : The masonry dome and Christopher Wren ; The arrival of the skeletal structure ; Engineers, architects, decoration and theory ; Architects embrace engineering ; Engineering as fantasy ; Engineered curved structures ; Engineering fantasy becomes reality ; Guggenheim, computers and beyond -- Structures in existing buildings : Structural investigation ; Structural assessment ; Structural strengthening ; Structural interventions ; Structures for additions ; Two examples ; Conclusions -- A simple approach to calculations : The basic questions ; Units ; Real loads ; The beam and the cantilevers ; More complex beams ; Simple frames ; Calculation of stresses in beams and columns ; Triangulated structures ; Deflection and stiffness ; Slenderness and axial stability ; Four examples of simple calculations -- Dynamic behaviour : Simple harmonic motion ; More vibrating systems ; Energy and damping ; Dynamic loading ; Dynamic response ; Vibration suppression ; Floor vibrations ; Isolation of vibrations ; Tall buildings ; Earthquakes ; Explosions and collisions ; Blast loading ; Impact loading -- Progressive collapse and robustness : The partial progressive collapse of Ronan Point -- The immediate aftermath ; The official response ; UK Building Regulations for disproportionate collapse ; Practical results ; The role of cladding and internal partitions ; Review of recommended prevention strategies ; Inherent robustness and omissions ; Conclusions -- The mathematical basis : Functions and differentiation ; Integration ; The axially loaded element ; The laterally loaded beam ; The general beam element ; Joint stiffness ; The stiffness method -- The basis for computer calculations : Background ; Matrix formulation for skeletal structures ; Continuum mechanics ; An axially loaded triangular plate ; The finite element method ; The magic wand, how good is it? ; Stiffness or flexibility? ; Closing caveat -- The successful structural project ; Work scenarios ; Structural integration ; The KISS principle ; Being organised ; Building Information Model ; A successful structural project ; The architectural/structural conundrum ; An ethical structure ; Emotional effects.

"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."--Amazon.com.