Author Description

Structural Analysis and Behavior presents the methods of structural analysis with an emphasis on the physical behavior of structures. It strikes an important balance between the classical methods of analysis-which provide useful means of understanding the concepts and the behavior of structures-and modern matrix methods,which present systematic general solution procedures. In addition,the direct stiffness method,now the most common method of solution because of its generality and ease of programming,is the matrix method used throughout the book. An introduction to the flexibility method for beams,trusses,and frames is also presented. In keeping with the book's emphasis on behavior,the author has provided readers with one very unique feature: simple laboratory experiments on reduced scale models. These experiments,found at the end of each chapter,help readers understand the more difficult topics and help them visualize certain abstract concepts.