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Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down (Penguin Science)
 
 

Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down (Penguin Science) (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 (12 customer reviews)
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Product details

  • Paperback: 400 pages
  • Publisher: Penguin; New Ed edition (26 Sep 1991)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 0140136282
  • ISBN-13: 978-0140136289
  • Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 12.2 x 2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 14,886 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

    Popular in these categories:

    #5 in  Books > Science & Nature > Engineering & Technology > Civil Engineering > Structural Engineering
    #35 in  Books > Scientific, Technical & Medical > Engineering > Civil Engineering

Product Description

Product Description

In "The New Science of Strong Materials" the author made plain the secrets of materials science. In this volume he explains the importance and properties of different structures.


About the Author

James Edward Gordon was born in 1913. He took a degree in naval architecture at Glasgow University and worked in wood and steel shipyards, intending to design sailing ships. On the outbreak of the Second World War he moved to the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, where he worked on wooden aircraft, plastics and unorthodox materials of all kinds. He designed the sailing rescue dinghies carried at one time by most bomber aircraft. He later became head of the plastic structures sections at Farnborough and developed a method of construction in reinforced plastics which is now used for a number of purpose in aircraft and rockets. For several frustrating years he worked in industry on the strength of glass and the growth of strong 'whisker' crystals. In 1962 he returned to government service as superintendent of an experimental branch at Waltham Abbey concerned with research and development of entirely new structural materials, most of which were based on 'whiskers'. He was Industrial Fellow Commoner at Churchill College, Cambridge, and became Professor of Materials Technology at the University of Reading, where he was later Professor Emeritus. He was awarded the British Silver Medal of the Royal Aeronautical Society for work on aircraft plastics and also the Griffith Medal of the Materials Science Club for contributions to material science. His book, Structures or Why Things Don't Fall Down, is also published in Penguin. Professor Gordon died in 1998. In its obituary The Times wrote of him that he was 'one of the founders of materials science' and that he wrote 'two books of outstanding literary quality ... at once entertaining and informative, providing absorbing interest for both expert and student'.

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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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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews
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 (9)
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Average Customer Review
4.8 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Very readable book on everyday engineering structures, 10 Mar 2000
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
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 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 Outstanding
This is a perfect example of the most rarest of all things: a technical book that is an utter joy to read. Read more
Published 2 months ago by S. Genochio

5.0 out of 5 stars Structures: or why things don't fall down
Gives a good idea of how understanding of structures developed over time. Enlightening to see how such great buildings could be built with lots of intuitive understanding, but... Read more
Published 2 months ago by George Faller

4.0 out of 5 stars It really does tell you why things don't fall down
Prof Gordon's really famous work is The New Science of Strong Materials: Or Why You Don't Fall Through the Floor (Pelican). If you haven't read that, you should. Read more
Published 4 months ago by D. Sweetman

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 6 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 8 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 10 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 16 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 16 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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