Computer Analysis of Structural Frameworks [Paperback]

James A. D. Balfour (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0893972525 | ISBN-13: 978-0893972523 | Publication Date: August 1986

Structural analysis is conducted during the preliminary design of civil structures, such as bridges airplanes, to ensure their feasibility. Once the outline design is complete, the structure is analyzed in detail to assess its strength and stiffness. This procedure, structural analysis, is therefore inextricably bound up with structural design. It is one of the tools that the designer uses to ensure economy and safety of the final structure. Of the many different ways in which computer technology has affected the engineering profession, it is in the field of structural analysis that the impact has been most profound. The computer's ability to handle vast amounts of arithmetic with speed and accuracy has made computationally intensive methods viable. This book offers an overview of this critical field. The authors use short computer programs to perform each of the standard procedures used in commercial structural analysis programs. The programs are written in BASIC and are designed to run on any computer from a desktop microcomputer to a mainframe machine. Each program is clear and complete in itself. Also presented are a number of structural analysis programs for a number of different framework types. This second edition illustrates the simplicity and flexibility of the stiffness method by considering problems in the field of structural dynamics. The text is designed for students and professionals in civil, mechanical, structural, and aeronautical engineering.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book gives structural engineers and students the background knowledge necessary to make safe and efficient use of commercial frame analysis programs by enabling them to:

• Prepare input data knowing broadly how it will be used by the computer


• Interpret the computer output


• Select the most suitable computer program for the job in hand


• Know when and why a structure is beyond the capabilities of a particular program


• Devise cross checks when problems arise

The book aids understanding by providing a series of short computer programs, written in basic and designed to run on any computer from a desktop micro to a mainframe, to perform each of the standard procedures used in commercial structural analysis programs.

The new edition features programs upgraded to tackle larger problems and includes a new chapter on structural dynamics.

The two utility programs and six analysis programs make up an integrated structural analysis suite are available on disk from the author. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

James A. D. Balfour BSc, PhD, CEng, MICE worked as a bridge engineer with the Scottish Development Department before joining the Department of Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh. He spent some years on secondment at the University of Malawi, where he was head of the Department of Civil Engineering. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Nichols Pub Co (August 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0893972525
• ISBN-13: 978-0893972523
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,396,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Developers of Structural Analysis Software, February 5, 2005

By 

Ir Tee Horng Hean (Alam Jurutera Perunding S B, Klang, Malaysia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Computer Analysis of Structural Frameworks (Hardcover)

Do you want to know how to develop your own Structural Analysis software? Then this is the book for you! You will learn how to develop codes for 2D and 3D Trusses, 2D and 3D Frames, Grillages and there is even a chapter on Structural Dynamics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book to learn about the stiffness method, July 23, 2000

By 

[e-mail] (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Computer Analysis of Structural Frameworks (Hardcover)

Removes the unnescesary mathematical approach to the introduction of the stiffness method. Even an undergraduate can understand with minimal effort. This has to be the best introductory text to the stiffness method as it paves the way for further understanding of the more advanced topics such as finite elements.