Understanding Structural Engineering: From Theory to Practice

In our world of seemingly unlimited computing, numerous analytical approaches to the estimation of stress, strain, and displacement--including analytical, numerical, physical, and analog techniques--have greatly advanced the practice of engineering. Combining theory and experimentation, computer simulation has emerged as a third path for engineering design and performance evaluation. As a result, structural engineers working in the practical world of engineering must apply and, ideally, thrive on these idealizations of science-based theories.

Analyzing the major achievements in the field, Understanding Structural Engineering demonstrates how to bring science to engineering design. This book illustrates:

• Key conceptual breakthroughs in structural engineering in the twentieth century
• The science of structural engineering from basic mechanics and computing to the ultimate process of engineering design
• How engineers implement theory to practice through idealizations and simplifications
• Current and future trends in structural engineering

Developments and advancements in structural engineering hinge on a few key breakthroughs in concepts, simplifications and idealizations. Simplification, inherent in the art of structural engineering, is a key theme throughout this book. But the authors go further. Their clear explanations of the role and impact of new, science-based developments shows you how to put them into practice.