Shaping Structures: Statics (Simplified Design Guides) [Hardcover]

Waclaw Zalewski (Author), Edward Allen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 15, 1997 | ISBN-10: 0471169684 | ISBN-13: 978-0471169680 | Edition: 1

In Shaping Structures, an engineer and an architect, both longtime teachers of structures at major American universities, collaborate to present an inspired synthesis of the creative and the technical, explicating both the principles of statics and their application to the fascinating task of finding good form for structures. This richly visual volume features:
* An easily understood development of the fundamentals of statics
* Step-by-step demonstrations, using both numerical and graphical techniques, of simple yet powerful methods for finding form and forces for arched structures, suspended structures, cable-stayed structures, and highly efficient trusses
* 120 photographs and more than 300 crisp drawings that illustrate and explain the magnificent structural triumphs of master architects and engineers -including Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, Robert Maillart's soaring bridges, Pier Luigi Nervi's landmark Turin Exhibition Hall, and many others
* Calculations in both SI metric and conventional units throughout the book

Requiring only the most rudimentary mathematical background yet accurate and fully functional, Shaping Structures provides an inviting point of entry to the study of structural design for engineering and architecture students -proving that the science of statics doesn't have to be lifeless, simplistic, or dull.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

This book uses the basic conditions of statics to show readers how to understand and create elegant, highly efficient forms for suspended and cable-stayed structures, arches, trusses, and shells. It offers a contextual understanding of the natural flow of forces and shows how to calculate the stresses of various forms using both numerical and graphical techniques. Throughout the book, the authors inspire their readers by analyzing and illustrating in detail the simple, powerful design techniques of the world's great engineers and architects. It is an innovative, highly visual book that can be used for the "statics" portion of the mandatory structures sequence in the architecture curriculum.

From the Back Cover

In Shaping Structures, an engineer and an architect, both longtime teachers of structures at major American universities, collaborate to present an inspired synthesis of the creative and the technical, explicating both the principles of statics and their application to the fascinating task of finding good form for structures. This richly visual volume features:
* An easily understood development of the fundamentals of statics
* Step-by-step demonstrations, using both numerical and graphical techniques, of simple yet powerful methods for finding form and forces for arched structures, suspended structures, cable-stayed structures, and highly efficient trusses
* 120 photographs and more than 300 crisp drawings that illustrate and explain the magnificent structural triumphs of master architects and engineers -including Gustave Eiffel's famous tower, Robert Maillart's soaring bridges, Pier Luigi Nervi's landmark Turin Exhibition Hall, and many others
* Calculations in both SI metric and conventional units throughout the book

Requiring only the most rudimentary mathematical background yet accurate and fully functional, Shaping Structures provides an inviting point of entry to the study of structural design for engineering and architecture students -proving that the science of statics doesn't have to be lifeless, simplistic, or dull.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471169684
• ISBN-13: 978-0471169680
• Product Dimensions: 10.5 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for study if you are graphically oriented, December 14, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Shaping Structures: Statics (Simplified Design Guides) (Hardcover)

This book was used in a upper-level statics class at the University of Oregon Architecture Department. I found this book very useful in understanding concepts dealing with structures. The book is organized very well and the figures are very helpful in their explainations. The methods that they use to direct the reader through their process are relatively clear and concise.

In a book like this it would be really helpful if the mathmatical elements which tend to be more accurate were paired with the problems and exercises at the end of the chapters. When dealing with statics, classes are taught with a mathmatical emphasis and being able to link the two would benefit the student.

4.0 out of 5 stars Shaping Structures: Statics, January 7, 2010

By 

P. R. Munoz "PRM Engineering-MA" (MA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shaping Structures: Statics (CD-ROM)

The textbook is very good for both architectural and engineering students at the undergraduate level. I wish the book had come with an accompanying CD for the graphics and software to do the graphic statics. It took long time for the book to arrive and it was not in the condition I expected, it was USED but not in such good condition as it was advertised, but still good for the low price. If someone does not mind waiting, then it is a good buy. It is old but still very useful.