BOOK REVIEW/CRITlQUE DE L1VRE

Structural analysis-a unified classical and matrix approach. Second edition

Received November 8, 1978

Accepted November 16, 1978

St~.~rctir~.trl t111tr1y.si.s-o 1rrliJiet1 cltt.ssictr1 t111(1111otr.i\- opp~.otrch. Second edition. By A. Ghnli and A. M. Neville. Chapman & Hall Ltd., I 1 New Fetter Lane, London EC4P 4EE, England. 1978. 780 p. (Available in the U.S.A. through Halstead Press, a division of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10016, U.S.A., at 519.95 U.S.)

Cen. J . Civ. Eng., 6, 172 (1979)

The second edition is essentially the same as the first, published in 1972. Minor changes include a duplicate SI set of problem and a paperback binding.

The book is concerned with the principles and applications of statically indeterminate analysis; it is based on undergraduate and graduate courses developed at the University of Calgary. As one of a number of texts on this subject published in recent years, it is unusual in two respects. First, as indicated by the title, the authors have presented the material as far as possible in matrix form. This has required the subject to be introduced, untraditionally, by chapters on indeterminacy and flexibility and stiff- ness methods. Second, it is exceptionally com- prehensive in including material sufficient for the whole undergraduate program in indeterminate analysis and, in addition, many chapters that are appropriate to graduate programs.

The first 14 chapters are concerned with basic undergraduate topics including energy and virtual work principles, slope-deflection and moment dis- tribution methods, influence lines, and particular methods for determining displacements. The last 10 chapters are suitable for advanced undergraduate and graduate study with sections on the finite difference, finite element, and finite strip methods,

plastic analysis of frames, yield line and strip methods for slabs, shear wall analysis, and dynamic analysis.

The use of the theory is amply demonstrated by worked examples and each chapter concludes with a set of problems. The presentation is attractive with an agreeable balance between text, mathematics, and diagrams. For use as a course book in elementary indeterminate analysis it is aimed specifically a t those who, from the outset, wish t o learn or to teach using a matrix approach. As a text for more advanced undergraduate or graduate courses, it is more generally appropriate since by then all students should be conversant with basic matrix analysis. I ts exceptionally broad scope, however, commends i t for use far beyond student days and it should therefore have considerable appeal as a reference text for practising engineers.

In conclusion it: is a book that well merits its reprinting and deserves recommendation both as a course and reference text for students and practising engineers.

BRYAN STAFFORD SMITH, Department of Civil Engineering,

McGill University, Montreal, P. Q.,

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