Fundamentals of Structural Analysis

Fundamentals of Structural Analysis (originally published by Macmillan and newly updated) introduces engineering and architectural students to the basic techniques for analyzing most common structural elements, including beams, trusses, frames, cables, and arches. The book covers the classical methods of analysis for determinate and indeterminate structures, and provides an introduction to matrix formulation, the basis of computer analysis.

Extensive and fully worked out examples are used to illustrate all principles and techniques, and an increased number of homework problems gives the student in-depth understanding of structural behavior.

The discussion on approximate analysis will enable students to verify the accuracy of a computer analysis, as well as to estimate the preliminary design forces required to size individual components of multimember structures during the early design phase, when the tentative configuration and proportions of members are established.

Illustrations in the text are drawn in detail with a high level of realism so that students become familiar with the appearance of the actual structure and the simplified model of the structure that engineers analyze to determine the forces and displacements of the structure.

A new chapter on loads, presented in a straightforward way, helps to clarify the complexity of the latest national building code specifications, providing a better understanding of live load, wind load, and earthquake effects.

Prof. Leet’s other text for McGraw-Hill, Reinforced Concrete Design, is available in both an international and a Chinese edition.