Understanding Structures

The goal of this book is to provide the architecture student with a conceptual introduction to architectural structures and to emphasize the importance of integrating structure and architectural design. This is done with an introduction to the basic principles (Statics, Dynamics, and Strength of Materials) followed by the various structural systems. The clear, non-mathematical presentation stresses their architectural design implications. It lays the conceptual groundwork for subsequent advanced courses such as Statics, Strength of Materials, and Timber, Steel and Concrete.