Why Buildings Stand Up: The Strength of Architecture
Type
Book
Authors
ISBN 10
0393306763
ISBN 13
9780393306767
Category
Unknown
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Publication Year
2002
Publisher
Pages
320
Description
From the librarian:
"Why Buildings Stand Up" is a classic book that gives readers an overview of the great structures through history and the basics of how they work. Starting with the Pyramids, Salvadori takes the reader on a short journey through a discussion of loads, materials, elasticity, and equilibrium before continuing his longer journey to the development of skyscrapers, the Eiffel Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hagia Sophia.
Along the way, the reader is introduced the works and theories of many of the 20th century's great engineers such as Fazlur Khan, Pier Luigi Nervi, Stephen Timoshenko, Buckminster Fuller, and Felix Candela. The reader is also given on overview of new types of structural forms that were developed in the 20th century such as the folded plate roof, inverted domes, tents and balloon structures, tensegrity structures.
For the new structural engineer, this book would be an introduction to the "big picture" of the world you are entering. For the established engineer (who has not already read this book), it gives some historical insight and can help stretch the mind about what may be possible in the future based on historical developments.
Salvadori's writing is a smooth and fluid and his hand-sketches of structures are beautiful and inspiring. This is a classic and enjoyable book for anyone interested in structural engineering and truly offers something for everyone.
From the back of the book:
Between a nomad's tent and the Sears Tower lies a revolution in technology, materials, and structures. Here is a clear and enthusiastic introduction to buildings methods from ancient times to the present day, including recent advances in science and technology that have had important effects on the planning and construction of buildings: improved materials (steel, concrete, plastics), progress in anti-seismic designs, and the revolutionary changes in both architectural and structural design made possible by the computer.
"Why Buildings Stand Up" is a classic book that gives readers an overview of the great structures through history and the basics of how they work. Starting with the Pyramids, Salvadori takes the reader on a short journey through a discussion of loads, materials, elasticity, and equilibrium before continuing his longer journey to the development of skyscrapers, the Eiffel Tower, the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Hagia Sophia.
Along the way, the reader is introduced the works and theories of many of the 20th century's great engineers such as Fazlur Khan, Pier Luigi Nervi, Stephen Timoshenko, Buckminster Fuller, and Felix Candela. The reader is also given on overview of new types of structural forms that were developed in the 20th century such as the folded plate roof, inverted domes, tents and balloon structures, tensegrity structures.
For the new structural engineer, this book would be an introduction to the "big picture" of the world you are entering. For the established engineer (who has not already read this book), it gives some historical insight and can help stretch the mind about what may be possible in the future based on historical developments.
Salvadori's writing is a smooth and fluid and his hand-sketches of structures are beautiful and inspiring. This is a classic and enjoyable book for anyone interested in structural engineering and truly offers something for everyone.
From the back of the book:
Between a nomad's tent and the Sears Tower lies a revolution in technology, materials, and structures. Here is a clear and enthusiastic introduction to buildings methods from ancient times to the present day, including recent advances in science and technology that have had important effects on the planning and construction of buildings: improved materials (steel, concrete, plastics), progress in anti-seismic designs, and the revolutionary changes in both architectural and structural design made possible by the computer.
Number of Copies
1
