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Pre-order now. This Manual supports the design of non-specialist building structures to BS EN 1990 (Eurocode 0) and BS EN 1991 (Eurocode 1) for UK construction.
The "Concrete Detailers' Bible" for more than 50 years, this edition reflects a major new approach to the application of BS EN 1992 to concrete detailing practice.
Providing comprehensive guidance on: d esign (including parametric design), m odelling (and its problems), a nalysis, o ptimisation, AI and machine learning, and t he future of engineering software.
An essential set of embodied carbon calculation principles for structural engineers looking to change the way they practice, in order to achieve net zero carbon by 2050.
Good site investigations provide good levels of information, but you need to know which questions to ask.
Master conceptual design. Understand how to work from a client brief, produce viable structural solutions, and test the feasibility of your ideas.
Guidance on the loading, movement, calculations, tolerances, fixings and testing of 11 different cladding systems, including: rainscreen, moulded large panel, framed and unframed glazing, insulated metal, built-up metal, masonry, fabric and unitised curtain wall.
A comprehensive introduction to the design of primary building structures during fire, for all principal structural materials.
Comprising Introduction to structural fire engineering and Guide to the advanced fire safety engineering of structures.
" By far the leading resource for timber engineering. " This edition includes essential updates on material properties, bearing capacities, connections, glulam, racking and fire.
All seven IStructE Eurocode manuals (to Eurocodes 1,2,3,5,6,7 and 8) including the second editions of 1 (2021) 5 (2019) and 6 (2018).
This note covers the inspection of structural elements typically present within buildings during their construction and/or alteration phases.
Gain the knowledge required to design simple foundations, slopes and ground improvements that do not require specialist advice.
Base plates are the primary means by which steel-framed structures transmit vertical loads into their foundations.
The series covers the core principles of structural design, analysis and mechanics.
A summary of the ground engineering knowledge required of all structural engineers. Only core concepts are introduced, supported by the most important theoretical background.
This text provides a summary of the essential knowledge of mechanics of materials for structural engineers, including elastic direct and shear stresses and strains in 2D and 3D, Mohr's circle, real and engineering stresses, geometric properties for doubly and singly symmetric sections, axial, bending, shear and torsional stresses (of open and closed sections), and effects of plasticity.
A significant-sized opening in a masonry wall will always require a lintel to bridge over it. This note offers advice on the different types of lintel available, their detailing requirements and design.
Windposts are typically steel elements (vertical props) that provide lateral support to masonry panels. They help reduce destabilising horizontal forces that typically originate from wind pressure.
This manual supports the design of plain masonry in building structures to BS EN 1996-1 and BS EN 1996-2 (Eurocode 6) for UK construction.
This text presents a range of emerging materials, both natural and man-made which, in the right circumstances, can offer significant advantages over traditional materials.
This note is an aide to those seeking to design an unreinforced masonry retaining wall. Following this guidance will prevent cracking and ensure that the wall performs as intended.
This note clarifies the term 'simple connection' by explaining its use when designing connections within steel frames. Additionally, guidance on different types of simple connection and the design checks that need to be carried out, is provided.
This note describes the method by which bored piles are designed using current UK codes of practice. It explains how to interpret soil conditions and design piles to match what has been discovered following a site investigation.
The design of timber posts follows the same principles as the design of vertical structural elements formed from other materials. Extreme fibre stresses or buckling due to applied axial forces are the key components affecting a post’s ability to perform. The major difference is the anisotropic nature of timber, which, for vertical elements, has a significant impact on the assessment of their performance as a structural member.
This note addresses the design of solid and glulam timber elements that are unrestrained against lateral torsional buckling. It explains how such beams are analysed and designed. The impact of notching the supports of beams is also considered with respect beam's shear capacity.
This note introduces structural engineers to the interfaces between a primary structure that is principally formed from steelwork, and a masonry cladding system.
Some form of approximate analysis remains essential for both the conceptual design of structures and verification of final (computer) analysis. This text presents simple approaches to the approximate analysis of two-dimensional skeletal structures.
This text is an introduction to the most important aspects of flexure in structures. A description of the widespread use of flexural elements and structures is followed by an introduction to the modelling and analysis of beams, slabs and frames. The text then discusses the use of four common structural materials in flexural elements and structures.
Essential information on the procurement, design and use of temporary demountable structures, including: grandstands; stages; fabric structures, hospitality units and fencing/barriers.
Structural dynamics is the study of how structures respond to loads that vary rapidly with time. This introduction to the subject, focusing on linear elastic structures, explains how to calculate or estimate the key dynamic properties of simple structures, and outlines the principles used by finite element programs in analysing the dynamics of more complex structures.
This is an introduction to the most important aspects of triangulated structures. Triangulated structures are widely used and can provide stiffness with very little structural material. Being formed from many interconnecting parts, a knowledge of several aspects of modelling, analysis and design is needed to be able to understand their structural behaviour.
Stability is one of two fundamental requirements of a structure, the other being equilibrium. Lack of stability during construction or service life can cause catastrophic structural failure. Stability is necessary against horizontal loads, asymmetric loading, out-of-plane loading and the effects of geometric imperfections, loading eccentricities and tolerances.
This text presents the 'reflective approach' to the computer analysis of structures, to ensure that the analysis model is a valid representation of the real structure and that the structural analysis has been carried out correctly.
This is an introduction to the understanding of structural behaviour - applied to two-dimensional, mainly redundant frames. It demonstrates a qualitative approach, with an emphasis on a diagrammatic solution consisting of the detected shape, reactions and bending moment diagrams. A clear convention is established for the axes and diagrams, which is key to understanding structural behaviour.
This text introduces basic structural behaviours; load paths; equilibrium; stability and robustness; choosing structural form and layout; and decomposition of real structures into members and joints for analysis.
This text presents the most traditional and familiar structural materials: steel, concrete, masonry, timber and glass. Material data are presented followed by a summary of specific manufacturing techniques and key material characteristics.
Guidance on material selection for use in construction, significant structural and mechanical properties, and the treatment of materials in current design philosophy.
Failures happen and their causes are many. However, as a group, failures are not just ‘accidents’. There are common themes and, by studying them, we can learn to minimise the risk of repeats.
Despite the many advantages of computer-aided analysis methods, structural engineers need to understand basic structural theory and its development. This understanding both ensures that we realise the limitations in our analytical abilities and enables us to validate computer output effectively.
Structures, buildings and infrastructure enable cities to function and offer delight. Today, architects and engineers have a vast portfolio to draw inspiration from. This text describes how these forms have evolved from earliest times.
This Text introduces the universal role of structures in our world. It explains the complex thought processes that are at play in the act of ‘structural design’ and highlights the challenges and rewards of design synthesis.
This text presents the fundamental thought processes of conceptual design and the basic principles that underpin all structural systems. These processes and principles are applied to bridges, towers and low-rise long-span structures.
This guidance provides an overview of moment frame design; as well as information on buckling stability, plastic analysis, analytical modeling of joints, simplified analysis methods, and moment frames in application.
A four-part series focusing specifically on lateral load resisting systems, triangulated (framed) vertical bracing, shear walls and moment frames.
Comprising Structural design – the engineer’s role and Structural design – achieving excellence .
Primarily for graduate structural engineers, this guide explains the basics of designing beautiful, stable, cost-effective structures.
This guidance covers shear walls; assisting structural engineers in the development of shear wall systems, and illustrates the choices available in their design and construction.
This guidance covers the general philosophy of a building's stability system; specifically, framed vertical bracing.
Portal frames are a simple and very common type of framed (or skeleton) structure. Steel portal frames, in particular, are a cost-effective structural system to support building envelopes requiring large column-free spaces.
This note describes how steel fibre reinforced concrete groundbearing slabs are designed.
This note explains how reinforced concrete walls are designed to withstand high in-plane bending forces, in accordance with Eurocode 2.
All Level 1 Technical Guidance Notes (originally published in The Structural Engineer magazine).
This note is an introduction to glass as a structural material. It describes glass in terms of its properties, how it reacts when subjected to various forces, and the design methods being explored by structural engineers.
This note explains the basic principles of below ground drainage for both surface and foul water. It describes the different types of drainage pipe available, their installation and interface with structure, and their testing and maintenance.
This guidance provides insight into the design methodology, specification, materials and techniques associated with the design and construction of glass structures.
There are three different forms of this type of wall, all of which are designed to resist overturning and sliding failure. The primary difference between them is their height. The taller the retaining wall, the more likely that counterforts and beams spanning between them will be necessary. Updated in October 2016.
This note concerns the design of pile-caps for small groups of piles. It relies on the strut-and-tie method to determine the amount of reinforcement required in the pile-cap; which is dependent upon the depth of the cap, the magnitude of the axial load being placed upon it, the cap’s concrete strength and the pile size and spacing.
This guidance provides a decision-making framework to assist structural engineers in the production of risk management assessments.
Guidance for structural engineers and those working in a Building Control capacity, on how to prepare a systematic risk assessment for high-risk structures.
Comprising Practical guide to structural robustness and disproportionate collapse in buildings and Manual for the systematic risk assessment of high-risk structures against disproportionate collapse.
Guidance on the various forms of retaining walls currently in use. This note is primarily concerned with structures that retain soil.
This note describes the basic knowledge required to read structural drawings.
When developing a scheme, the choice of floor slab construction is critical to the columns, foundations, walls and overall stability. As such, the floor slab’s form should be selected with care and consideration. Updated in October 2016.
An introduction to groundbearing floor slabs, touching on the slabs' reinforcement by considering both historical use of mesh as well as plastic and steel fibre reinfocement methods.
The purpose of a pad foundation is to spread a concentrated force into soil. They are one of the most simple and cost effective types of footing for structures, and are the preferred solution for foundations due to the straightforward nature of their design and construction. Updated in October 2016.
The technology behind post-fix anchors is increasingly complex. This note provides some clarity around the multitude of options that can be presented to a designer required to specify anchors.
This note pays particular attention to partial factors with reference to BS EN 1990: Eurocode – Basis of structural design , to illustrate how extreme events are approached, and explains how the code interprets the application of loads (actions) for such events.
This note concerns the design of masonry walls subject to lateral loads (i.e. those used as a cladding element). It discusses material assessment, restraint, geometry and exposure conditions. Updated in October 2016.
The three forms of masonry are brick, concrete block and stone. This note introduces the first two as they are the most common. Used as a form of cladding - at least for concrete and steel-framed structures in the UK - loadbearing structural masonry is still in use, and employed in the construction of low-rise buildings and soil-retaining structures.
This manual supports the geotechnical design of structures to BS EN 1997-1 and BS EN 1997-2 (Eurocode 7) for UK construction.
An understanding of what causes concrete to crack is important when inspecting new works or existing structures.
This note focuses on the design of reinforced concrete columns to BS EN 1992-1-1 – Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures – Part 1-1: General Rules for Buildings. It covers the design of columns of all cross-section profiles (typically square, rectangular or circular).
This note focuses on the design of reinforced concrete beams to BS EN 1992-1-1 – Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures – Part 1-1: General Rules for Buildings . It covers the design of multispan beams that have both ‘L’ and ‘T’ cross-section profiles. Updated in October 2016.
This note discusses the concept of fatigue and how its effects can be countered.
This note focuses on the design of one-way-spanning concrete slabs to BS EN 1992-1-1 – Eurocode 2: Design of Concrete Structures – Part 1-1: General Rules for Buildings .
This note describes how prestressed precast concrete planks are constructed, specified and installed.
This note focuses on the design of columns in simple construction to BS EN 1993-1-1 – Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures – Part 1-1: General Rules for Buildings . It covers rolled steel ‘I’ and ‘H’ sections acting as columns within a braced steel frame structure.
This note describes the different types of pile, the design concepts employed when determining their size and depth, how they are constructed and the various tests that can be carried out to assess a pile's integrity.
This note focuses on the design of non-composite steel beams to BS EN 1993-1-1 – Eurocode 3: Design of Steel Structures – Part 1-1: General Rules for Buildings . It covers both restrained and unrestrained rolled steel ‘I’ and ‘H’ beam sections. Updated in October 2016.
This note describes the concept of biaxial bending in columns of any material, as well as the effect direct bending has on column design.
The twisting of elements within structures due to eccentric loading is best avoided. Such actions develop torsion forces - which the elements were not designed to withstand. This note shows structural engineers how to avoid problems that can lead to significant remedial works and/or failures.
The chosen form of any substructure is entirely dependent on what the site investigations reveal. It is typically up to the structural engineer, with the aid of geotechnical engineers and specialists, to determine the extent of this investigation and interpret its results.
One of the most common structural elements, these are normally found in residential properties, but also in medium-sized commercial developments. This note explains the principles behind their design and provides a worked example. In accordance with BS EN 1995-1-1 Eurocode 5: Design of Timber Structures – Part 1-1: General – Common rules and rules for buildings . Updated in October 2016.
When designing foundations (from a simple pad footing to a pile cap) there is a need to determine the soil's bearing capacity. This note explains the principles of how this is determined, and how it impacts on foundation design.
Once the concept and scheme design has been determined, initial sizing of elements commences. This note shows how to size elements, prior to detailed design. This process allows the engineer to gain an appreciation of structural form.
This note explains how steel elements are restrained against buckling and what the structural engineer should consider when analysing steel structures with respect to buckling resistance.
Moment distribution is a method by which statically indeterminate structures are analysed elastically. It’s based on the relative stiffness of elements, and shifts bending moments from one section of the structure to another until they become balanced. Once this balance has been achieved, forces and bending moments are modelled. Updated in October 2016.
This note is a good practice guide for analysing and designing structures. It explains how structures are given form, modelled, analysed and designed. Mention is made of the need to rationalise the analysis process, but not at the expense of an economic design.
This note is split into two sections; the first contains information a designer of steel elements provides, while the second contains information a fabricator creates in order to manufacture and construct the steel structure. While one feeds into the other, the level of detail each set of information provides is very different, due primarily to the end result. One is informing the manufacture of the steelwork, while the other focuses on its installation.
In many cases, reinforced concrete drawings are more diagrammatic than their general arrangement counterparts and carry with them their own unique set of rules and nomenclature. This note does not cover the rules governing detailing of reinforced concrete.
This note explains the various methods adopted to ensure lateral stability and robustness in structures.
This note is an introduction to the assessment of floor vibrations - a frequently overlooked aspect of the design process. Floor vibrations can lead to expensive remedial works, as occupants complain of discomfort due to excessive movement. Updated October 2016.
This note concerns the assessment of loads that apply to retaining structures, typically generated from soil. These forces primarily come into play during the design of retaining wall structures, but they can also be found in water-retaining structures and storage vessels. Updated October 2016.
It is essential for structural engineers to be able to express their ideas clearly through their designs. This note describes two common techniques used to draw in three dimensions.
This note concerns lateral loads that are applied to barriers, and wheel axle loads from vehicles.
There are several variations and conditions the designer must be aware of when determining snow loads onto structures. Based on Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures Part 1-3; General Actions – Snow Loads this note draws on the UK National Annex as it makes reference to projected snow falls that are typical in the UK. Updated October 2016.
Notional loading (equivalent horizontal forces) are loads resulting from inaccuracies and imperfections introduced into the structure during its construction. This note explains how notional lateral loads are incorporated into the design process. Updated October 2016.
There are several variations and conditions the designer must be aware of when determining wind loads on structures. Based on Eurocode 1: Actions on Structures Part 1-4; General Actions – Wind Actions , this note draws on the UK National Annex as it makes reference to wind speeds that are unique to the UK.
Imposed loads (quasi-permanent variable actions) are defined as loads that are applied to the structure. Updated October 2016.
Dead loads (permanent actions) are defined as the weight of static materials contained with a structure. This includes the self weight of the structure as well as the fixed materials it is supporting.
An introduction to the core design concepts found within current UK codes of practice.
An introduction to the series from the Institution's former Director: Engineering and Technical Services, Sarah Fray.
Guidance for engineering students looking to gain an understanding of the role structural designer's play. Also useful for those needing to seek advice from a structural engineer.
Design guidance for structural engineers, other construction professionals and car park owners/operators.
Guidance on incorporating structural robustness into designs for low-rise building structures.
This manual supports the seismic design of buildings to BS EN 1998-1 and BS EN 1998-5 (Eurocode 8) for construction in the UK and France.
This manual supports the design of steelwork building structures to BS EN 1993-1-1, BS EN 1993-1-8, BS EN 1993-1-10, and the design of composite floors to BS EN 1994-1-1 for UK construction.
Comprehensive, step-by-step guidance for structural engineers needing to check and report on the adequacy of an existing structure.
Recommendations on crowd loading for those with responsibility for permanent grandstands, including: owners, operators, architects, insurers and design engineers.
This manual supported the design of steelwork building structures to BS 5950-1 for UK construction.
Guidance for structural engineers and surveyors on the methods and approaches taken to inspect, appraise and report on buildings and associated structures.
Guidance for bridge owners/operators, contractors, utility companies and structural designers considering the performance, function, serviceability and maintenance of new or replacement bridge access gantries.
An overview of the advanced methods available for designing structures for fire resistance.
This manual supports the design of non-sway, reinforced and prestressed concrete building structures to BS EN 1992-1 (Eurocode 2) for UK construction.
This manual supported the design of plain masonry in building structures to BS 5628-1 and BS 5628-3 for UK construction.
Published in response to the September 11 attacks, this guidance examines key safety issues for tall buildings and other structures of large occupancy.
This manual supported the design of reinforced concrete building structures to BS 8110, BS 8002 and BS 8666 for UK construction.
Guidance for undertaking inspections of underwater, inland and coastal structures in water depths to 30m - including inspection techniques, equipment and safety.
This guidance focuses on the causes of subsidence damage, appraising a property with subsidence, carrying out remedial works, and insurance matters.
Guidance for structural engineers on the use of structural and semi-structural adhesives (with a polymetric matrix) and the behaviour of adhesive joints used in structural applications.
Information on the development of alkali-silica reaction (ASR) damage in the UK, the chemical process of ASR, and the diagnosis and assessment of expansion and cracking of concrete.