Structural Engineering for Architects

Pete Silver and Will McLean teach at the School of Architecture at the University of Westminster and are co-authors of Fabrication (2006) and Introduction to Architectural Technology (2008). Peter Evans is Technical Director at the London office of consulting engineers MLM.

Introduction 1 Structures in nature Tree / Spider's web / Eggshell / Soap bubbles / Human body 2 Theory 2.1 General theory of structures - Introduction - External loads - Internal forces: Axial / Shear / Bending / Torsion / Static equilibrium / Simple analysis / Common beam formulae - Material properties: Stress / Strain / Steel properties / Concrete properties / Timber properties - Sectional properties: Bending / Axial compression / Deflection - Fitness for purpose: Vertical deflection / Lateral deflection / Vibration - Structures: Categories of structure / Stability / Towers 2.2 Structural systems - Introduction - Material assessments - Structural components: Beam systems / Concrete slab systems 3 Structural prototypes Form finding / Load testing / Visualizing forces 4 Case studies - Introduction - 1850 - 1949: Viollet-le-Duc's innovative engineering approaches / St. Pancras Railway Station Shed / Eiffel Tower / Forth Rail Bridge / All-Russia Exhibition 1896 / Tetrahedral Tower / Magazzini Generali Warehouse / Zarzuela Hippodrome - 1950 - 1999: Crown Hall, Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) / Los Manantiales Restaurant / Concrete Shell Structures, England / Geodesic Domes / Palazzo del Lavoro / (Palace of Labour) / Concrete Shell Structures, Switzerland / Jefferson National Expansion / Monument ('Gateway Arch') / Maxi/Mini/Midi Systems / Tensegrity Structures / Munich Olympic Stadium Roof / Bini Domes - inflatable formwork / Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum / Structural Glass - 2000 - 2010: Ontario College of Art and Design expansion, featuring the Sharp Centre for Design / Atlas Building / 'Het Gebouw' (The Building) / Hemeroscopium House / Kanagawa Institute of Technology (KAIT) Workshop/Table / Meads Reach Footbridge / Pompidou-Metz / Burj Khalifa Further reading Index Picture credits and acknowledgements

This book gives students of architecture an understanding of the fundamental theories and practice behind the creation of architectural structures, helping them to develop an intuitive understanding of structural engineering. The book is divided into four sections: "Structures in nature" looks at structural principles found in natural objects. "Theory" covers general structural theory as well as explaining the main forces encountered in engineering. "Structural prototypes" includes examples of modelmaking and load testing that can be carried out by students. The fourth section, "Case studies", presents a diverse range of examples from around the world – actual buildings that apply the theories and testing described in the previous sections. The straightforward, informative text is illustrated with specially drawn diagrams, historical examples, models, CAD visualizations, construction details, and photographs of completed buildings. As well as providing a valuable reference and sourcebook, the book will give students and newly qualified architects the technical confidence to collaborate with structural engineers.