Analysis of Structures by Matrix Methods

This book deals with the analysis of engineering structures that are made of skeletal members and covers the types of structures that are commonly used in practice. It comprises 12 chapters, with a chapter on matrix algebra included in the beginning of the book to show the various types of computations that are relevant to the content in the subsequent chapters. Other chapters deal with the analysis of bar elements; pin-connected, rigid-plane, and 3D frames; special forms of members; and stability and vibration of structures. It can be used as a textbook by undergraduate and postgraduate students studying for a degree in civil, structural, or mechanical engineering. It will also be helpful for practicing engineers who have not studied this subject before but are at present using software packages that deal with the analysis of engineering structures.

Key features:

• Is reader friendly, particularly for a beginner who has no prior knowledge in this subject, because it is more organised and better structured
• Treats the important step of formulating the overall stiffness matrix of a structure in a systematic and straightforward manner, which is quite often not very clearly explained in most textbooks on the market
• Has the level of detail and clear presentation of the subject matter as one of its main features, which is an important factor that helps the reader to easily follow and understand the topic presented
• Gradually build up on the subject matter, with the chapters arranged in a sequence to serve the purpose
• Use simple mathematical approaches wherever possible so that even a reader with knowledge of a first course in mathematics can easily understand the operations performed