Structure and Architecture

p { text-align: justify; } Monika Petříčková’s book introduces the fundamental principles of the behaviour of building structures in architecture, knowledge of which is an essential tool for realising an architectural vision. It contains an explanation of the theoretical foundations of the structural analysis of building structures, which facilitates an understanding of the principles of design and the structural behaviour of basic and, to some extent, more complex types of structures. The individual chapters are arranged logically and follow the thematic structure of standard engineering disciplines. The author first introduces the reader to the types of load-bearing structures, materials, load types, force systems, cross-sectional characteristics, trusses, beams, and the fundamentals of the theory of elasticity. This is followed by chapters on columns, frames, cables, arches and indicative span values. The explanation emphasises an understanding of the nature and principles of how building structures function, supported by numerical examples and specific projects, primarily from the field of architecture. Understanding the nature of a structure and subsequently expressing it numerically is a fascinating journey of discovery, at the end of which we are able to evaluate in numerical terms what is happening inside the structure - what forces are acting within it and to what extent - and to reliably determine the dimensions of the structure and the appropriate type of material for these forces. Over the years, this publication has become particularly popular among university students preparing for future architectural practice. It is now published in a second, revised and expanded edition. A new chapter on shell structures has been included, the ‘Frames’ chapter has been expanded to include diagrid structures, and the use of structural glass is discussed in the section on materials.