Hollow sections in structural applications                    by J. Wardenier

Professor Jaap Wardenier has had an enormous impact on the design methods for tubular steel structures in the late 20
th. century. The Rectangular Hollow Section is veritably his progeny and
it has grown up to be a respectable member of the steel society under his tutelage. Indeed, his
output has been so prolific that all subsequent researchers on Rectangular Hollow Sections might
well be deemed but footnotes to Wardenier.

Professor Wardenier is universally renowned for his leadership role in international unity efforts
to standardize hollow section design rules, particularly while Chair of the International Institute
of Welding (IIW) Subcommission XV-E on Tubular Structures, from 1981 to 1991. Similarly,
his constant support of CIDECT activities over three decades, whether serving as a Member or
Chair of Working Groups, and Member or Chair of the Technical Commission, has been a vital
component of its success.

In the 1980s and 1990s a number of technical books and guides for design with hollow sectionshave been produced, beginning of course with his own landmark treatise, “Hollow SectionJoints”, in 1982. These books and guides were almost totally directed at the practicing engineer
and the complexity of the formulations is perplexing to the novice. So, it is quite fitting that having scaled to the top of the research mountain – Professor Wardenier can see the big picture
so well that he can now paint a smaller version for the newcomer to the field., the student. Thisbook hence fits this role admirably and this “text for students” is a much-needed contribution to
the literature on tubular steel structures. The content and presentation is generally oriented to
“graduate level” structural engineering students, or those in about Year 5 of their university
studies. In addition to being invaluable for a specialist course on “Tubular Steel Structures”,
parts of the book would be excellent for more introductory-level courses on steel behaviour and
design. Aside from succinctly telling the important principles for the behaviour of tubular
structures, the book is nicely presented with numerous colour illustrations. The material included
is an international consensus of knowledge on the topic at the turn of the Millenium: as such it is
an ideal reference book too for all structural design engineers, as well as being a “student text”.

Professor Jeffrey A. Packer
Chair, International Institute of Welding Subcommission XV-E on Tubular Structures
Mr. Noel F. Yeomans
Chair, CIDECT Technical Commission
December 2001.

 

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