Truss Fun, Second Edition [Paperback]

David W. Harris (Author)

Book Description

Series: Truss Fun | Publication Date: July 20, 2000

This book describes basic engineering principles in a fun and easy manner using simple physics and mathematics. Historic railroad trusses are used as examples. Perfect for projects for high school and early college students. Also ideal for hobbyists and historians.

Students will learn basic engineering principles from the easy to understand, step-by-step, text, and over 100 figures. Historic photos and drawings are provided from extensive research to show the principles discussed. A workbook is included as the last part of the book with fun, hands-on projects, and problems to aid in the understanding of the principles. The projects range from "the carrot truss", a few minute simple project, to more advanced ideas. Research ideas are suggested, including on-line sources such as the extensive Library of Congress InterNet resources. A computer program for analysis of trusses is printed in the text, and spreadsheet examples are used. Text and problems are classroom tested.

Hobbyists will gain new insight into engineering principles. Historic drawings are included with illustrations of conversion for use in models. Many different types of trusses could be produced from the provided pictures, drawings and illustrations.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

When I first thought about publishing this book, I of course wondered what other books existed. I couldn't find any book that was a fun and visual way to understand what engineering is and learn some basic concepts about the bridges, buildings, and structures around us all the time. Written for high school students, (and early college students), this book is for kids of all ages who still wonder about the things around them and how they work. Modelers, hobbyist, historians alike will find useful information in the various chapters. An easy read, full of figures and pictures, some historical documents published for the first time.

Enjoy this fun book.

From the Author

I looked into their eyes and I saw the future. For three summers I have been teaching a PreCollege Program for perspective Engineers. After 18 years of teaching at the College level and 25 years of professional experience, I still searched for the best way to introduce engineering in a basic way based on math and science. My new book is the culimination of this 3 year effort. Fun projects that build on easy, intuitive concepts. The kids had fun, I want you to have fun too. From the book:

"The American Society of Civil Engineers has categozized engineering as stealth profession, that is, work which most people don't know about or understand. Yet, engineering is around us everyday in things that we see and the way things work. Engineering isn't stealth, it is science and common sense combined."

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Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: BaHa Enterprises; 2nd edition (July 20, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967549507
• ISBN-13: 978-0967549507
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,221,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good work, February 3, 2002

By 

Marx Pio (Manaus, Amazonas Brazil) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Truss Fun, Second Edition (Paperback)

With many examples of Basic codes for checking stresses on trusses' bars and several historic notes and blueprints. Good for classrooms notes and teaching.