The purpose of this text is to develop students’ fundamental understanding of the principles of structural analysis in the modern engineering office. Matrix methods and computer applications have in effect made many of the older “classical” methods of structural analysis redundant. Matrix methods, and structural analysis software such as SAP2000 are the tools that most engineers use in industry today. However, matrix methods alone may not give students the same “feel” for the behavior of structures subject to loads as does the practice of classical methods.
In addition to modern matrix methods, the author has included in this edition several of the classical methods because they give the student knowledge of the behavior of structures subject to varying loading. Students will develop a thorough understanding of the behavior of structural systems under load as they are introduced to the fundamentals of structural analysis for beams, trusses, and frames. The following classical methods are included in this edition: influence lines, conjugate-beam analysis for deflections, and approximate methods and moment distribution for statically indeterminate structures.
The availability of computational software has completely changed the practical application of structural analysis. Instead of applying classical methods, engineers often use computer programs prepared with matrix methods. For this reason, the educational version of the SAP2000 software, as well as the author-developed SABLE software, are available for download from the book website.
This text is suitable for the undergraduate level course. However, sufficient information is included for an additional course at the senior or graduate level.
Course Hierarchy:
Found in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Architectural Engineering, and Construction
Course is called Structural Analysis
Junior level course
Jack C. McCormac is Alumni Distinguished Professor o Civil Engineering, Emeritus at Clemson University. He holds a BS in civil engineering from the Citadel, an MS in civil engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Doctor of Letters from Clemson University. His contributions to engineering education and the engineering profession have been recognized by many, including the American Society for Engineering Education, the American Institute of Steel Construction, and the American Concrete Institute. Professor McCormac was included in the International Who's Who in Engineering, and was named by the Engineering News-Record as one of the top 125 engineers or architects in the world in the last 125 years for his contributions to the construction industry. He was one of only two educators living in the world today to receive this honor.
Professor McCormac belongs to the American Society of Civil Engineers and served as the principal civil engineering grader for the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying for many years.
