Mechanics of Solids

Mechanics of Solids provides an introduction to the behaviour of solid materials under various loading conditions, focusing upon the fundamental concepts and principles of statics and stress analysis. As the primary recommended text of the Council of Engineering Institutions for university undergraduates studying mechanics of solids it is essential reading for mechanical engineering undergraduates and also students on many civil, structural, aeronautical and other engineering courses. The mathematics in this book has been kept as straightforward as possible and worked examples are used to reinforce key concepts. Practical stress and strain scenarios are covered, including simple stress and strain, torsion, bending, elastic failure and buckling. Many examples are given of thin-walled structures, beams, struts and composite structures. This third edition includes new chapters on matrix algebra, linear elastic fracture mechanics, material property considerations and more on strain energy methods. The companion website www.routledge.com/cw/bird provides full solutions to all 575 further problems in the text, multiple-choice tests, a list of essential formulae, resources for adopting course instructors, together with several practical demonstrations by Professor Ross.

Carl Ross gained his first degree in Naval Architecture from King's College, Durham University, his PhD in Structural Engineering from the Victoria University of Manchester, and was awared his DSc in Ocean Engineering from the CNAA, London. His research in the field of engineering led to advances in the design of submarine pressure hulls. His publications and guest lectures to date exceed some 290 papers and books, and he was Professor Structural Dynamics at the University of Portsmouth, UK. On the website www.routledge.com/cw/bird are several of Carl Ross's practical demonstrations.

John Bird is the former Head of Applied Electronics in the Faculty of Technology at Highbury College, Portsmouth, UK. More recently, he has combined freelance lecturing at the University of Portsmouth with examiner responsibilities for Advanced Mathematics with City & Guilds and examining for the International Baccalaureate Organisation. He has over 45 years’ experience of successfully teaching, lecturing, instructing, training, educating and planning of trainee engineers study programmes. He is the author of 146 textbooks on engineering, science and mathematical subjects, with worldwide sales of over one million copies. He is a chartered engineer, a chartered mathematician, a chartered scientist and a Fellow of three professional institutions. He has recently retired from lecturing at the Royal Navy’s Defence College of Marine Engineering in the Defence College of Technical Training at H.M.S. Sultan, Gosport, Hampshire, UK.

Andrew Little completed an undergraduate apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce Aero Division at the City University, London. He subsequently worked as a Stress Engineer for Rolls-Royce and then for companies such as Ferranti Computer Systems and Plessey Aerospace, designing equipment for high stress and vibration environments. After joining the University of Portsmouth, he became involved with pressure vessel research and completed his PhD whilst lecturing full-time. He has taught subjects such as Solid Mechanics, Dynamics, Design and Computer Aided Design over his 30 years at Portsmouth. He is a chartered engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and has published 80 academic papers. Now semi-retired, Andrew is still an external examiner and an online tutor.