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.