Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (2nd Edition) [Hardcover]

Anthony Bedford (Author), Wallace Fowler (Author), A Bedford (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0201180715 | ISBN-13: 978-0201180718 | Publication Date: January 1, 1999 | Edition: 2

This text presents the foundations and applications of statics by emphasizing the importance of visual analysis of topics--especially through the use of free body diagrams. This text also promotes a problem-solving approach to solving examples through its strategy, solution, discussion format in examples. Bedford/Fowler further includes design and computational examples that help instructors integrate these ABET 2000 requirements.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This text presents the foundations and applications of statics by emphasizing the importance of visual analysis of topics-especially through the use of free body diagrams. This text also promotes a problem-solving approach to solving examples through its strategy, solution, discussion format in examples. Bedford/Fowler further includes design and computational examples that help instructors integrate these ABET 2000 requirements.

FEATURES/BENEFITS * NEW—Strategy-Solution- Discussion—Most examples follow this format.

* Promotes students thinking critically about the example vs. rote memorization.

* NEW—Engineering Design—Includes "Application to Engineering" examples that provide discussions of the uses of dynamics in engineering design.
* NEW—Emphasizes Application—Text places dynamics within the context of engineering practice by including applications from many fields of engineering.
* NEW—Optional Student Software—Working Model-based Simulation Software specifically for Bedford/Fowler.
* NEW—Computational Mechanics Examples—Provide optional self-contained examples designed to introduce students to the use of computers in engineering. Professors can use any programming language, or math solver of their choice.
* NEW—Extended discussion of normal and tangential components (Ch. 2)—Includes 3D motion.
* NEW—A revised discussion of reference frames—Throughout the text, especially in Chs. 2 and 6.
* NEW—Expanded/improved discussion of several topics—e.g., impulsive forces, 2D rigid-body kinematics, D'Alembert's principle, and angular impulse and momentum.
* NEW—Expanded discussion of 3D rigid body dynamics (Ch. 9)—Includes new examples and problems.
* NEW—More than 20% new and revised chapter-end problems.

Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics, Second Edition. This book has quickly earned a place in Engineering schools across the country because it teaches engineering mechanics the way a good instructor would

Problem Solving * Uses a "Strategy-Solution-Discussion" problem-solving methodology that explains how to approach problems, solve them, and critically judge the results
* Contains "Computational Mechanics" feature with examples and problems that introduce the reader to computer applications in engineering mechanics

Visualization * Stresses the importance of visual analysis, especially the use of free-body diagrams
* Develops figures gradually and employs "ghosting" techniques to clarify and emphasize concepts-- emulating the way an instructor teaches

Applications * Places engineering mechanics within the context of engineering practice by including applications from many fields of engineering
* Introduces design principles with the "Application to Engineering" feature using concepts developed in preceding sections of the chapter

New Features

Visualization * Provides more free-body diagrams to many of the worked examples
* Separates most of the diagrams showing velocities, accelerations, and forces into a free-body diagram showing the forces and a kinematic diagram showing the accelerations

Content * Extends the discussion of normal and tangential components in Chapter 2 to include three- dimensional motion Includes a revised discussion of reference frames throughout the text, especially in Chapters 2 and 6
* Improves the discussion of impulsive forces in Chapter 5
* Improves the discussion of 2D rigid-body kinematics in Chapter 6
* Expands and improves the discussion of D'Alembert's principle in Chapter 7
* Provides a revised and improved discussion of angular impulse and momentum in Chapter 8
* Expands the discussion of 3D rigid body dynamics in Chapter 9 and provides new examples and problems
* Offers several new examples throughout the text including more of the popular feature, "Application to Engineering"
* Includes more than 20% new and revised end-of-chapter problems

Organization * Presents section on Orbital Mechanics in Chapter 3

About the Author

Wallace Fowler is Paul D. and Betty Robertson Meek Professor of Engineering in the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Fowler received his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Texas at Austin, and has been on the faculty since 1966. During 1976 he was on the staff of the United States Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, California, and in 1981-82 he was a visiting professor at the United States Air Force Academy. Since 1991 he has been Associate Director of the Texas Space Grant Consortium.Dr. Fowler's areas of teaching and research are dynamics, orbital mechanics, and spacecraft mission design. He is author or coauthor of many technical papers on trajectory optimization and attitude dynamics, and has also published many papers on the theory and practice of engineering teaching. He has received numerous teaching awards, including the Chancellor's Council Outstanding Teaching Award, the General Dynamics Teaching Excellence Award, the Halliburton Education Foundation Award of Excellence, and the AIAA-ASEE Distinguished Aerospace Educator Award.He is a licensed professional engineer, a member of many technical societies, and a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the American Society for Engineering Education.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 576 pages
• Publisher: Addison-Wesley; 2 edition (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201180715
• ISBN-13: 978-0201180718
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #698,889 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Does not explain well, November 24, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

Overall this book is not horrible, but it's not great by any stretch of imagination. Some of the chapters are well explained, but there are also a couple of chapters, such as chapter 18, that are very unclear. There are too few examples in each chapter, and they usually fail to underscore most of the theory stated earlier, some even skip the steps that are being taught in the same chapter! Needless to say, this makes understanding the material frustrating at times. There are probably much better dynamics textbooks around.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, not great, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

I have taught dynamics at the university level, and I have used several different texts. This text is clear and well-written, but oversimplified, even for a one-semester undergraduate course. The problem selection is weak.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not bad, not great, March 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics (2nd Edition) (Hardcover)

I have taught dynamics at the university level, and have used several different dynamics books. This one is clear and well-written, but oversimplified, even for a one-semester undergraduate course. The selection of problems is poor.