Analysis of Engineering Structures






PREFACE

Structural analysis is a field of engineering that has undergone the greater changes in the last few decades. The matrix formulation of structural analysis has provided a bookkeeping scheme which makes it possible to deal with structures of a size and complexity which were previously too complex to contemplate. The use of computers, whose developments were intimately connected with that of matrix methods, finally enabled the structural engineer to perform such analyses and apply them to the design process to create much more functional, economic and aesthetic structures and buildings. Matrix algebra has also enabled a structural engineer to model any structure with a finite number of degrees of freedom and arrive at a physical model, which comes near to the real structure in geometry and in its behaviour. The "danger" of all computer analyses lies in the fact that a structural engineer can loose the "physical feeling" of the structure. The longhand methods presented in this book should help an engineer to distinguish between the critical or less important results of a computer analysis. A major focus of die book is the numerous worked examples that are related to practical applications. These examples will not only provide guidance to students but also provide a reference for practicing engineers.


Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the contribution and support given by M. Pipenbaher, V. Markelj and V. Acanski from industry, S. Kravanja, M. Kuhta and M. Premrov who are on the staff and several students from Civil Engineering Faculty of the University of Maribor for the preparation of drawings and equations.

Thanks are also due to Ms Tanzi Besant-Tempest of Imperial College for reading and checking the manuscript. Finally, Professor Bedenik is indebted to his wife, Marjetka and his daughter Tina for their patience and support during the unending hours spent on the preparation of this book.


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