In recent years an increasing emphasis has been placed on numerically based methods of structural analysis. This has been reflected in the production of structural mechanics texts that are orientated towards particular numerical methodologies, especially the finite element method. Whilst this approach serves the needs of potential 'research' engineers, a concentration on the numerical analysis aspects of structural mechanics is of less relevance to 'professional' engineers, who are likely to be concerned with the use and interpretation of numerical analyses, but not in the development of the methodologies.It is to this group that Advanced Structural Mechanics is especially addressed.