Equilibrium,Stability and Strength The Anatomy of Structural Performance

Abstract

Structures, contrary to general experience and expectation, do move. It is therefore the responsibility of the structural engineer, bearing in mind economy and materials, to decide how far he can go in his designs to control structural performance and to avoid failure. Here the basic principles are reviewed: calculating the strength of structures with computers, the complications when movement becomes significant, the structural properties which can cause trouble, when deflections can help and finally if it is possible to achieve a perfect structure.