Structural Mechanics, has become established as a classic text on the theory of structures and design methods of structural members. The book clearly and logically presents the subject's basic principles, keeping the mathematical content to its essential minimum.The sixth edition has been revised to take into account changes in standards, and clarifies the content with updated design examples and a new setting of the text. The original simplicity of the mathematical treatment has been maintained, while more emphasis has been placed on the relevance of structural mechanics to the process of structural design, analysis, materials, and loads on buildings and structures according to the current British Standards and European codes of practice.The initial chapters of the book deal with the concept of loads and their effects on structural materials and elements in terms of stress and strain.

The significance of the shape of the cross-section of structural elements is then considered. The book finishes with the design of simple structural elements such as beams, columns, rafters, portal frames, dome frames and gravity retaining walls.