Customer Reviews

Steel Structures: Design and Behavior (5th Edition)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book provides both the theory and practical applications needed to understand both LRFD and ASD Steel Design. The problems provided at the end of each chapter can be worked using either method. The example problems within the chapters provide valuable insight to procedures and techniques in solving problems. Having read many different books by Mr. Solman I have never been disappointed, and have always gained great knowledge from his books.

This book covers the basics and fundamentals of steel design in such a way that provides a great reference for the structural engineering student or professional. Possibly the best book you can find in the field.
I've been using it since graduate school and through the years as a consultant in structural engineering.

The book is a great textbook for students and practicing engineers. It covers pretty much all the steel topics. It has plenty of examples from ASD design to LRFD design. I think that out of all of the steel design books out there, this is the best.

This is simply the best book on steel design out there, and anyone interested in learning the subject needs to read it. It covers the crucial aspects of the AISC code in a unified manner and is quite readable. The authors begin each topic in the book with the detailed background mechanics behind the observed structural behavior and then proceed to verify these ideas with experimental evidence. Next the authors explain how the the code provisions result practically from these ideas. Finally, the authors offer a number of solved examples in design and analysis and explain the methods used to solve them.

This is exactly the way that a book on design should be put together. The code is not a black box, but sometimes it can be presented as such. In order to properly design or analyze a real building, you need a firm grasp of the basic and not so basic principles of structural mechanics and the empirical evidence that backs it up; you can't simply be a "Code Monkey" and expect to do a whole lot more than determining if a W10x16 or a W10x14 should be erected. Salmon and Johnson really explain steel structural engineering in this book, and if you make an effort to seriously learn the material, you will gain tremendous dividends in your understanding of these complex and interesting topics.

CHECK EVERY PROBLEM - I just worked through the composite beam chapter 16 and the errors are prolific!?!#$# So bad that you begin to question yourself! I have the earlier editions from the 1970's which are great and I have used them continuously over the years as reference. Obviosly the new edition is LRFD and not ASD but I am extremely disappointed in the number of errors.

I bought this as the required textbook for my graduate Steel Structures II class. While I didn't use the book a lot in class, I am still glad I have it, although it really isn't the go-to reference it could be.

The 5th edition is very similar to the 4th edition, only it has been updated to follow the AISC 13th edition steel design specification. In keeping with the combined nature of the 13th edition code, there are examples in both ASD and LRFD design philosophies.

All the basic and many advanced steel design concepts provided in the AISC steel code are covered in the book (including plate girders and torsion), but I feel that some of the topics could be covered more thoroughly. The sections on composite members and beam-columns are rudimentary and much of the time the AISC Steel Construction Manual offers more and better explanations (in both the code and commentary). The chapter on plate girders is pretty good and the one I found to be the most useful. It was also nice to see the inclusion of a section on torsion, which is often omitted from basic steel design textbooks.

In conclusion, this isn't a single spectacular textbook or reference, but it is useful to have around.

This book thoroughly describes design procedures with numerous examples using both LRFD and ASD design, exactly what I need as an intern engineer. Sometimes I find the examples difficult to follow when units are not carried through and commentary left out; however, details are plentiful enough to eventually catch on. The AISC Manual of Steel Construction is constantly referred to and thus necessary to follow examples fully (I broke down and purchased it). Lastly, readers should be on the lookout for typos as I have spotted several.

Given the available books on the market for general steel structural design in the U.S., this is by far the best. The breadth of topics covered is abundant without any sacrifice in depth of full backround and commentary, which is sorely missing from other books of this kind. The layout and presentation of information is very clear and readable.

Although a new edition covering changes in the industry since the last publication would be greatly appreciated, the book taken for when it was published is still very applicable for use now (despite reviews to the contrary given below). Any competent engineer can adjust to changes in industry standards as the base material given in the book is very solid and sound.

The proof in the outstanding quality of this book is trying to use other similar books in the market today, which generally fall short in comparison.

Great book! Lots of theory and examples to support subject matter. Unfortunately, sometimes the theory and layout of the book becomes overwhelming. THE reference for P.E. exam.

I bought this book because it was required for my class. I was given a few problems out of the book to do as homework but used the book for nothing more. According to my professor who knows the author had said this book contained a decent amount of errors. Since I am by no means knowledgeable with steel structures you can either believe that or not. If the book is correct the examples given go through the process step by step and I found it very helpful. There may be another book that is better than this but a required book is a required book.