Structure is integral to the world around us. It can be found in both natural and man-made forms. In this Very Short Introduction, David Blockley explores the nature of structural engineering, looking at how it relates to architecture and design and the principles underlying the building of safe and resilient structures. Blockley explores a number of examples from around the world, including the Shard in London, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Queen Elizabeth cruise line, and jumbo jets like the Airbus A380. -- from front book flap.