Essential Knowledge Series

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.

This text details the subject knowledge required of all structural engineers to enable them to carry out the design of simple foundations, slopes and ground improvement that do not require specialist advice.

This text provides a summary of the ground engineering knowledge required of all structural engineers. Owing to the wide-ranging nature of the subject, only core concepts are introduced, supported by the most important theoretical background.

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 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.

The series covers the core principles of structural design, analysis and mechanics.

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.

The Essential Knowledge Series is a core resource (primarily for structural engineering students but a useful refresher for more senior engineers) covering fundamental topics from structural materials to computer analysis. Student Members and members of the Institution's Academic Community can download the series for free at: www.istructe.org/essential-knowledge

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 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. 

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.