An Introduction to Matrix Methods of Structural Analysis

The matrix force method has been systematically developed for the analysis of beam and frame structures. It helps develop the matrix stiffness method from a basic spring element, and this is extended to the analysis of beams, trusses, plain frames, grillages, and space frames.

Using computer programs (manual, automatic, or the direct force method extending toward automation), this book interactively introduces matrix methods of structural analysis. In addition to work and energy, it also discusses the concepts of stresses, strains, strain displacement relationship, and plain stress and strain.

Features:

• Explains force, displacement, and stiffness via the matrix perspective
• Reviews full programming code for each problem
• Provides the modern concepts of force method that leads toward automation of the force method, such as the direct stiffness method
• Discusses effect of temperatures exclusively
• Includes the macro language Matrix Analysis Interpretive Language (MAIL) as an extension of analysis interpretive treatise with examples, exercises, PowerPoint slides, and illustrative problems. The MAIL executable, guide, and codes are provided on the website of the book

This book is aimed at senior undergraduate and postgraduate students in structural engineering.

Muhammad Akram Tahir obtained his B.Sc. in Civil Engineering from University of Engineering and Technology (UET) Lahore. He obtained his Master and Doctoral Degrees in Structural Engineering from Asian Institute of Technology. Dr. Tahir enjoyed the patronage of Prof. Pisidhi Karasudhi, Prof. Worsak Kanok Nukulchai, Prof. Tamon Ueda, Prof. Martin Wieland, Prof. Gupta and many others who are authorities in structural engineering.

In Pakistan, Dr. Tahir spent more than 40 years in teaching structural engineering and advanced structural analysis. He is still engaged in teaching and research in structural engineering at University of Central Engineering (UCP). He served UET for more than 31 years prior to joining UCP. He was founder Chairman of Architectural Engineering and Design program at UET. He founded Department of Civil Engineering at UCP and worked as head of the department for six years. He worked as Associate Dean and later as Dean, Faculty of Engineering. He is currently Professor of Civil Engineering at UCP. He was member of High Rise Building Commission constituted by Supreme Court of Pakistan, in which capacity he reviewed design and analysis of more than 1300 high-rise buildings.

Dr. Tahir has been extraordinarily impressed by (Late) Prof. Shaheen Akhtar of UET, Lahore and Prof. Worsak Kanok Nukulchai of AIT, Bangkok. The two professors living and teaching thousand kilometers apart had many things in common as far as teaching of structural analysis is concerned. He used their styles to evolve his own way of teaching.

Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai holds a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1978 under Fulbright Scholarship. He joined the Bangkok-based Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in 1979, retired as AIT President in 2018 and is currently AIT Emeritus Professor. He returned from his retirement in 2019 to serve as the Founding Executive Director of a specially established Chulalongkorn School of Integrated Innovation (ScII) with unique curriculum to groom talents for the changing world of digital era. Professor Worsak was inducted into the Royal Society of Thailand’s Academy of Science in 2016, the AIT Hall of Fame in 2019 and Chulalongkorn Engineers Hall of Fame in 2022.

Professor Worsak is part of the pioneer team in the early-stage development of Finite Element Methods under Prof R. L. Taylor and Prof. T. H. R. Hughes in 1974-1978 during his Ph.D. study at University of California at Berkeley. He has extensive research experiences in Structural Engineering, Matrix Method of Structural Analysis, Finite Element Methods, and Computational Mechanics. His publication record includes 50 refereed journal articles, 2 books, 2 book chapters, 117 conference papers, 14 papers in conference proceedings.

Prof. Worsak has received a number of awards which include amongst others, ＂Fellow of the International Association of Computational Mechanics (IACM)＂ at its 2006 World Congress in Los Angeles, USA., the Fumio Nishino Medal, which is the highest award given by the East Asia Pacific Conferences on Structural Engineering and Construction (EASEC),＂for his outstanding contribution through research, development and professional practice in Structural Engineering, and for upholding professional integrity well recognized in the Asia-Pacific region＂, and the Royal Decoration of the Companion of the Most Admirable Order of Direkgunabhorn (4th class) by H.M. King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Professor Worsak is currently a Fellow of the Academy of Science, Royal Society of Thailand.