Seemingly universal geometric forms unite the flow systems of engineering and nature. For example, tree-shaped flows can be seen in computers, lungs, dendritic crystals, urban street patterns, and communication links. In this groundbreaking book, first published in 2000, Adrian Bejan considers the design and optimization of engineered systems and discovers a deterministic principle of the generation of geometric form in natural systems. Shape and structure spring from the struggle for better performance in both engineering and nature. This idea is the basis of the new constructal theory: the objective and constraints principle used in engineering is the same mechanism from which the geometry in natural flow systems emerges. From heat exchangers to river channels, the book draws many parallels between the engineered and the natural world. Among the topics covered are mechanical structure, thermal structure, heat trees, ducts and rivers, turbulent structure, and structure in transportation and economics. The numerous illustrations, examples, and homework problems in every chapter make this an ideal text for engineering design courses. Its provocative ideas will also appeal to a broad range of readers in engineering, natural sciences, economics, and business.
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'Shape and Structure is at once fascinating, provocative, mesmerizing, and hazardous to your pedagogical schemes. The book is fascinating because it covers an unusual number of diverse topics; provocative because it advances a new theory whose author unabashedly hints that his law is in the same league as Clausius' second law of thermodynamics, because a simple law is purported to predict the geometric form of anything 'alive' in the universe, or at least on Earth; and hazardous because it is suggested as a text or supplement for design courses in all branches of engineering, architecture, spatial economics, and business.' Applied Mechanical Review
'… this is an outstanding book, highly recommended not only for physicists and engineers, but also for life scientists, physicians, architects, economists and in general, for any person interested in how natural and man-made systems are composed and perform the way they do.' J. Cervantes-de Gortari, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
'Written in a refined style, with lucidity in every aspect that it covers, this delightful read conducts the reader through the marvelous world of optimal systems … In summary, this is an outstanding book, highly recommended not only for physicists and engineers, but also for life scientists, physicians, architects, economists and in general, for any person interested in how natural and man-made systems are composed and perform the way they do. Reading the book is a joyful experience that further stimulates the reader's mind and contributes to the creative observation of our natural and ingenuous world.' J. Cervantes-de Gortari, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
'I wish to attract attention to this unique, path-breaking and thought-provoking book of wide readership …'. International Journal of Applied Thermodynamics
'This is a most unusual and fascinating book … Anyone concerned with optimization, including students taking a course on the subject, will derive inspiration and insight from this book, and anyone with an interest in engineering and nature will get a great deal of pleasure from it.' Peter Bradshaw, AIAA Journal
'… this is an outstanding book, highly recommended not only for physicists and engineers, but also for life scientists, physicians, architects, economists and in general, for any person interested in how natural and man-made systems are composed and perform the way they do.' J. Cervantes-de Gortari, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
'Written in a refined style, with lucidity in every aspect that it covers, this delightful read conducts the reader through the marvelous world of optimal systems … In summary, this is an outstanding book, highly recommended not only for physicists and engineers, but also for life scientists, physicians, architects, economists and in general, for any person interested in how natural and man-made systems are composed and perform the way they do. Reading the book is a joyful experience that further stimulates the reader's mind and contributes to the creative observation of our natural and ingenuous world.' J. Cervantes-de Gortari, International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer
'I wish to attract attention to this unique, path-breaking and thought-provoking book of wide readership …'. International Journal of Applied Thermodynamics
'This is a most unusual and fascinating book … Anyone concerned with optimization, including students taking a course on the subject, will derive inspiration and insight from this book, and anyone with an interest in engineering and nature will get a great deal of pleasure from it.' Peter Bradshaw, AIAA Journal
Book Description
In this groundbreaking 2000 book, Adrian Bejan shows that shape and structure spring from the struggle for better performance in both engineering and nature and that the same objectives and constraints principle applies. From heat exchangers to river channels, the book draws many parallels between the engineered and the natural world.
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First Sentence
This book is an invitation to think about a phenomenon that is so prevalent that it is being taken for granted: the macroscopic shapes and structures that generate themselves everywhere in nature. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
This book is an invitation to think about a phenomenon that is so prevalent that it is being taken for granted: the macroscopic shapes and structures that generate themselves everywhere in nature. Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
very interesting
22 Jan 2009
By R. Jorgenson
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback
i'm just getting started with graduate research and picked up this book from the library. it is going to be very useful, and i really like how it starts with sort of traditional optimization of structures and over the course of the book, shows how optimization leads to familiar natural structures. plenty of equations, understandable diagrams, and extensive references (which i will definitely be investigating). i will probably buy my own copy of this book.
i think it will be very useful for me because i'm specifically interested in periodic fluid flow into a volume, and heat transfer from the volume to the fluid.
i'm surprised there's only one review so far, this is a very interesting book and i consider it to be well-written and easy to read (relative to other engineering journals/books). some good fluid mechanics and heat transfer background will help you get the most out of the equations, but i think even without that background it's possible to understand the concepts presented in the book. it has inspired me to brush up my heat and fluids skill, that's for sure.
i think it will be very useful for me because i'm specifically interested in periodic fluid flow into a volume, and heat transfer from the volume to the fluid.
i'm surprised there's only one review so far, this is a very interesting book and i consider it to be well-written and easy to read (relative to other engineering journals/books). some good fluid mechanics and heat transfer background will help you get the most out of the equations, but i think even without that background it's possible to understand the concepts presented in the book. it has inspired me to brush up my heat and fluids skill, that's for sure.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic new approach on thermal systems
5 Nov 2012
By Fabio Fortkamp
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Prof. Bejan takes a novel approach on analysis and principles of design of thermal systems (with a few chapters on other areas). The basic idea is to look at nature - trees, rivers, lungs - and try to undestand the geometry, to discover that the shapes we see optimize the resistance to heat and fluid flow. Then, we can apply this principle to engineering systems. In other words, shape is not random, but can be derived by physical and mathematical principles.
The book examines all major areas of thermal systems: free convection, forced convection, heat conduction, mass diffusion, fluid flow, turbulence, power systems. The author discusses the main idea, define some resistance coefficient, and then minimize it. Analysis of the results are of great value, and it help us see the big picture.
A great book to take a new view on engineering, applying optimization principles, and understanding the connection between nature and engineering.
The book examines all major areas of thermal systems: free convection, forced convection, heat conduction, mass diffusion, fluid flow, turbulence, power systems. The author discusses the main idea, define some resistance coefficient, and then minimize it. Analysis of the results are of great value, and it help us see the big picture.
A great book to take a new view on engineering, applying optimization principles, and understanding the connection between nature and engineering.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Physical Law of Complexity
8 Dec 2001
By CBS
- Published on Amazon.com
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Prof. Bejan brings out the best in the field of engineering, called "CONSTRUCTAL THEORY" and this law will revolutionize the way we view the world. With this constructal approach, one could design much better energy-efficient systems, sustainable infrastructure, and develop a better understanding of our social organization leading to improved quality of life. This engineering principle or law could be extended to the design of transportation systems, traffic networks, spatial economics, understand stock market behavior, human physiology, neuroscience, and human behavior. The applications are numerous and it's only a matter of time that its value to the society will increase beyond the imagination of any scientist or an engineer. Dr. Bejan is a man of renaissance, who is trying to restore the lost science of creativity back into the field of engineering, in the lines of Leonardo DaVinci. The book uniquely synthesize physics and biology with the help of intelligently derived, easily understandable, simple models. It could become a valuable source for researchers and scientists, who are now immersed in the field of bioinformatics, trying to understand the shape and structures of genes and proteins. Also, people in the field of Operations Research and Economics might find the ideas in chapter 11 to be of great value. Finally, it is possible that Constructal Principle could become the Physical Law of Complexity in near future.
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