Mechanics of Materials

The second edition of MECHANICS OF MATERIALS by Pytel and Kiusalaas is a concise examination of the fundamentals of Mechanics of Materials. The book maintains the hallmark organization of the previous edition as well as the time-tested problem solving methodology, which incorporates outlines of procedures and numerous sample problems to help ease students through the transition from theory to problem analysis. Emphasis is placed on giving students the introduction to the field that they need along with the problem-solving skills that will help them in their subsequent studies. This is demonstrated in the text by the presentation of fundamental principles before the introduction of advanced/special topics.

MECHANICS OF MATERIALS - an extensive revision of STRENGTH OF MATERIALS, Fourth Edition, by Pytel and Singer - covers all the material found in other Mechanics of Materials texts. What's unique is that Pytel and Kiusalaas separate coverage of basic principles from that of special topics. The authors also apply their time-tested problem solving methodology, which incorporates outlines of procedures and numerous sample problems to help ease students' transition from theory to problem analysis. The result? Your students get the broad introduction to the field that they need along with the problem-solving skills and understanding that will help them in their subsequent studies. To demonstrate, the authors introduce the topic of beams using ideal model as being perfectly elastic, straight bar with a symmetric cross section in ch. 4. They also defer the general transformation equations for stress and strain (including Mohr's Circle) until the students have gained experience with the basics of simple stress and strain. Later, more complicated applications of the principles such as energy methods, inelastic behavior, stress concentrations, and unsymmetrical bending are discussed in ch. 11 - 13 eliminating the need to skip over material when teaching the basics.

Booknews

This introductory textbook covers stress, strain, torsion, columns, inelastic action and topics specific to the use of beams. These include shear and moment in beams, stresses in beams, deflection of beams, statically indeterminate beams, and composite beams. Diagrams and other illustrations are prominently featured. Approximately 30 pages of useful tables are provided. The authors teach at the Pennsylvanian State University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Professor Andrew Pytel received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1957, his M.S. in Engineering Mechanics in 1959, and his Ph.D in Engineering Mechanics in 1963; all from The Pennsylvania State University. In addition to his career at Penn State U, Professor Pytel was an Assistant Professor at the Rochester Institute of Technology in the Dept of Mechanical Engineering (1962-65), an Assistant Professor at Northeastern University in Boston (1965-67). He became a full Professor at The Penn State U in 1984 and a Professor Emeritus in 1995. Throughout his career Professor Pytel has taught many different courses and has been the recipient of many honors and awards. He has particpated heavily with the American Society for Engineering Education and was named a Fellow of the ASEE in 2008.

Jaan Kiusalaas, Professor Emeritus, Engineering Science and Mechanics, The Pennsylvania State University. Professor Kiusalaas received his Honors BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Adelaide, Australia, his M.S. in Civil Engineering and his Ph D. in Engineering Mechanics, both from Northwestern University. He has been a Professor at The Pennsylvania State University since 1963. He is also a Senior Postdoctoral Fellow of NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre. Professor Kiusalaas' teaching experience includes such topics as Numerical Methods (including finite element and boundary element methods), and Engineering Mechanics ranging from introductory courses (statics & dynamics) to graduate level courses.