In producing this fourth volume in the series on stability and strength of structures, we have continued the policy of inviting several expert contributors to write a chapter each. so that the reader is presented with authoritative versions of recent ideas on the subject. Sufficient introductory material has been included in each chapter to enable anyone with a fundamental knowledge of structural mechanics to become familiar with various aspects of the subject.
Each of the ten chapters in the book highlights the techniques developed to solve a selected facet of frame instability. Thus the earlier chapters deal principally with the instability of entire frames, as influencing the design of multi-storey structures; the chapters which follow cover a wider range of instability problems, such as those connected with joints, braces, etc.. as well as special problems associated with thin-walled structures, arches and portals. The topics chosen for the various chapters reflect the diversity' of problems within the general area of frame instability and the range of analytical tools developed in recent years.
As editor, I wish to express my gratitude to all the contributors for the willing cooperation they extended in producing this volume. I sincerely hope that the many ideas and experimental data included in the book will meet the needs of the engineer and researcher alike, and provide a stimulus to further progress in our understanding of structural behaviour.