Hollow sections in structural applications\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 by J. Wardenier<\/p>\n
Professor Jaap Wardenier has had an enormous impact on the design methods for tubular steel structures in the late 20th. 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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, \u201cHollow Section Joints\u201d, 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. This book hence fits this role admirably and this \u201ctext for students\u201d is a much-needed contribution to the literature on tubular steel structures. The content and presentation is generally oriented to \u201cgraduate level\u201d structural engineering students, or those in about Year 5 of their university studies. In addition to being invaluable for a specialist course on \u201cTubular Steel Structures\u201d, parts of the book would be excellent for more introductory-level courses on steel behavior and design. Aside from succinctly telling the important principles for the behavior of tubular structures, the book is nicely presented with numerous color illustrations. The material included is an international consensus of knowledge on the topic at the turn of the Millennium: as such it is an ideal reference book too for all structural design engineers, as well as being a \u201cstudent text\u201d.<\/p>\n
Professor Jeffrey A. Packer
\nChair, International Institute of Welding Subcommission XV-E on Tubular Structures
\nMr. Noel F. Yeomans
\nChair, CIDECT Technical Commission
\nDecember 2001.<\/p>\n