Structural Engineering Reference Manual [Hardcover]

Alan Williams (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1591260191 | ISBN-13: 978-1591260196 | Publication Date: December 2004 | Edition: 2nd

The new second edition of the Structural Engineering Reference Manual (STRM2) is a comprehensive resource for SE candidates preparing for the NCEES Structural I and II and the California state (BPELS) structural exam. STRM2 has been updated to reflect the codes currently tested on the exams. Since the problems on all three SE exams are code-based, being familiar with and understanding the relevant codes is essential for exam success. The Structural Engineering Reference Manual is organized with this in mind. Appropriate sections of national codes are introduced and explained in a concise, straight-forward manner, illustrated with examples. Each example focuses on one specific code issue and supplies a clear interpretation of the applicable section of the code.

Eight chapters review the main topic areas covered on the SE exams:

Reinforced concrete design Foundations and retaining structures Prestressed concrete design Structural steel design Timber design Design of reinforced masonry Seismic design Design of bridges

There are practice problems, designed to test your understanding of the codes and concepts and to prepare you for the exam experience. Complete, step-by-step solutions are provided for all problems.

At the end of the book, appendices provide valuable tables and charts of information--saving you valuable time during the exam. The comprehensive index ensures that you can locate necessary information quickly when the pressure is on. And a separate index to every code mentioned in the Reference Manual allows easy access to references to AASHTO, AASHTOSD, ACI, AISC, ASD, BCRMS, LRFD, and LRFD2.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 328 pages
• Publisher: Professional Publications (CA); 2nd edition (December 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591260191
• ISBN-13: 978-1591260196
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,876,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Alan Williams, Ph.D., S.E., F.I.C.E., C. Eng., is a registered structural engineer in California who obtained his bachelor of science degree and doctorate from Leeds University. He has had extensive experience in the teaching and practice of structural engineering including the design and construction of bridges, schools, commercial and industrial structures. Dr. Williams has worked in California in the Department of Transportation and as Principal for Structural Safety in the Division of the State Architect. His other positions include Professor of Structural Analysis at Ahmadu Bello University, and as a consulting structural engineer in South Africa and the United States.
The author has published 13 papers and 9 books on structural engineering topics. He is a member of the Structural Engineers Association of Southern California, Fellow and Life Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a Chartered Engineer in the United Kingdom.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good, but a ways to go..., July 18, 2002

By 

R. K. Johnson (The Great Pacific Northwest) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Structural Engineering Reference Manual (Hardcover)

While there are several good sources for worked sample problems available, as far as I know this is the first true review manual for the NCEES Structural Engineering Exams. I for one am glad someone finally brought book like this to market. Having worked with it for several months now, I must say my impression is that while quite good, it may have been rushed to market a bit prematurely. In light of the relatively hefty price tag, it seems like there should be a bit more depth. Concise is one thing, but Williams typically launches into a subject with little or no commentary, opting instead to let the equations do the talking. If you have a question about assumptions or how to apply an equation you're left scrambling for other references. I may be a bit spoiled having just used PPI's Mechanical Engineering Reference Manual to earn my Mechanical PE license. This is the model Williams should follow for future revisions to his work. The MERM is a stand-alone document that both teaches you the basics of a subject and documents all the required data and formulas. I would imagine by the time this book has been revised to include all it should it will have roughly doubled in thickness.

Another complaint I have concerns some major omissions. Where are wind loads for example? Where are the load reduction factors based on tributary area? Seismic loading is addressed, but where are the more basic topics of how to properly distribute the loads into the various structural members and details? To me this seems like an obvious requirement for a book like this. There should probably be a whole separate chapter addressing nothing but how to calculate and properly distribute the loads on a given structure.

My final comment concerns the number and depth of sample problems. There should be problems at the end of each chapter addressing each of the major topics covered in the chapter. This is not the case. Also, it would be nice to see a few samples of the long complex problems that typically show up on the SE II exam. Most of the problems in the book are of the easier SE I variety. This situation can be addressed by using some of the other references on the market. Let's hope there's more to come in the second edition.

On the upside, kudos to Mr. Williams for doing a great job referencing the relevant sections of the UBC. This should be a major time saver on the exam, and success on this type of exam is all about time management. Most authors don't go the extra mile to do this. Also, thanks for including the answers to the problems. With the MERM, the solutions are sold as a separate manual. Please don't get me wrong, there's a lot of good to be had with this book and there's really nothing else quite like it on the market right now. Williams has written the core of what could eventually be a "must have" book for all structural and civil engineers. It just has a ways to go...

P.S. If you buy this book, make sure to visit PPI's website for the errata updates. In this respect, PPI offers excellent product support. There are numerous errors listed for this book, a fact that again indicates to me it may have been published a bit hastily.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Concise, but Too Simplified, August 12, 2006

By 

M. Liu - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Structural Engineering Reference Manual (Hardcover)

Come on, you need to know much more than what was in this book to be a structural engineer. I bought the 3rd edition right when it was fresh off the press to prepare for the NCEES Structural II exam in April 2006. I didn't take the Structural I exam so I can't say if this book is more tailored to that. However, I have to say I passed in spite of this book. The examples in the book are easy to follow, but for a good portion of them they only cover the easy special cases, not the more elaborate, more complicated variations. For how thin this book is, I think it is outrageously expensive. I was also disappointed that the concrete design aids are not updated to the current code with the revised factors.

Another waste of money was the 2003 IBC. They took out all those useful sections from 2000 and just say refer to ASCE-7. You would be fine just to get ASCE-7 for the exam and save some money.

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally......, March 30, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Structural Engineering Reference Manual (Hardcover)

This is THE book to buy for the NCEES Structural I exam. There are so few decent books to study for the Structural I exam. I bought two other related books for my studies and returned them because they were garbage.

This book is exceedingly concise, while at the same time, exceedingly thorough. If you only buy one book to study for the Structural I exam, this should be it! I was surprised at how thin this book is (only about 1" thick), especially for the high price, but it is jam-packed with exactly the material you need to bone up on your topics. The material assumes a certain level of knowledge of the topics covered. It gives the essential formulas and references to the codes. The text, and figures are of high quality.

Thank you for such a great book.