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Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall down (Paperback)

by J.E. Gordon (Author) "A structure has been defined as 'any assemblage of materials which is intended to sustain loads', and the study of structures is one of the..." (more)

4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

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Product details

Paperback: 424 pages
Publisher: Da Capo Press Inc; 2nd edition (19 Jun 2003)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0306812835
ISBN-13: 978-0306812835
Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15 x 2.8 cm

Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 14,237 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Popular in these categories:

#1 in	Books > Art, Architecture & Photography > Architecture > Techniques & Tools > Materials
#22 in	Books > Scientific, Technical & Medical > Engineering > Civil Engineering
#46 in	Books > Science & Nature > Engineering & Technology > Civil Engineering

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Product Description

Product Description
"Rich and readable...personal, witty and ironic." -- Scientific American . For anyone who has ever wondered why suspension bridges don't collapse under eight lanes of traffic, how dams hold back-or give way under-thousands of gallons of water, or what principles guide the design of a skyscraper or a kangaroo, this book will ease your anxiety and answer your questions. J. E. Gordon strips engineering of its confusing technical terms, communicating its founding principles in accessible, witty prose.

Inside This Book (Learn More)

First Sentence
A structure has been defined as 'any assemblage of materials which is intended to sustain loads', and the study of structures is one of the traditional branches of science. Read the first page

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
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4.8 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable book on everyday engineering structures, 10 Mar 2000

By	bx338@dar007.dar.cummins.com (York, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down (Penguin Science) (Paperback)

I am a mechanical engineer and during my undergraduate years I was crying out for a book like this. It's easy to read and anyone with even the most basic concept of structures will find it very informative. The author explains why structures are built the way they are and points to the lessons that can be learned from nature. Structures enhanced my appreciation of architecture and has even tauhgt me a few new concepts. I would think it's almost essential for any structural engineer to have a copy. A very enjoyable light read.

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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Structures, 14 Jul 2002

By	Matthew Fox (Norwich, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down (Pelican) (Paperback)

The book is a good introduction to engineering of any sort particuly civil or structural. It would be beneficial to anyone about to take A level physics and beyond. It pulls together losts of laws by famous scientists and presents it in different but interesting ways. The language is sometimes quite technical but is easy to understand with some previous knowledge in the subject and or after a few chapters of the book. an enjoyable read intersting read

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12 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not very technical and too friendly, 30 Jul 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down (Penguin Science) (Paperback)

This is a book that I admire for its honesty. It's not too technical or detailed in the technology involved in structures, but this is why it was written. For common people, degree starters and professionals that want some expert opinion on everyday structural work. You won't find only philosophy or only random thoughts, or just technical details. You will not get the feeling that the book scratches the surface. For the simple reason, this book does all this at the same time in a special way that it is a beautifull read, a nice historic overview in structural engineering and offers simple answers to the question "why materials do that or that".

The book has two main audiences. First, starters to the science of material and structural angineering. Second, experts to these science group that want some opinions and historic reference from a mature professional that had worked in the design, study and maintaince of various structures, from aircrafts and ships to boilers and even.. plants and humans.

It's real beauty of this book resides to the fact that it behaves to materials at the same time and with the same 'respect'. It doesn't matter if it's wood, or steel, or concrete, or even bat's skin. They are all materials that share the same science over different properties.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for engineers
Everyone who has thoughts of becoming a civil or mechanical engineer should read this book. It explains virtually all you need to know and many things you didn't realise you... Read more

Published 2 months ago by Telford

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading
See my review of the sister volume, "The new science of strong materials" and read these two together (well consecutively). Read more

Published 4 months ago by Bruce T. Collinson

5.0 out of 5 stars Longbows and Sausages
I have lots of structures books, but this is by far my favourite and I've bought it many times for presents. Read more

Published 5 months ago by B. Edmondson

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential reading for engineers
This and his companion book on materials should be compulsory reading on all physical engineering courses. Read more

Published 12 months ago by Peter Debney

5.0 out of 5 stars A fun set book
This book and it's sister title were set books for my BSc in Safety and Health back in the 70s. Both have been read so many times that they are suffering to the extent of needing... Read more

Published 12 months ago by Mr. David Walland

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful read . a treasure
i loved this book. i am a lay reader but it gave me a good understanding of structures and is written in such and entertaining way. i would recommend this to anyone . Read more

Published on 20 Jun 2004 by jon_valentine

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