Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down

In a book that Business Insider noted as one of the "14 Books that inspired Elon Musk," J.E. Gordon strips engineering of its confusing technical terms, communicating its founding principles in accessible, witty prose.For anyone who has ever wondered why suspension bridges don't collapse under eight lanes of traffic, how dams hold back--or give way under--thousands of gallons of water, or what principles guide the design of a skyscraper, a bias-cut dress, or a kangaroo, this book will ease your anxiety and answer your questions.Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down is an informal explanation of the basic forces that hold together the ordinary and essential things of this world--from buildings and bodies to flying aircraft and eggshells. In a style that combines wit, a masterful command of his subject, and an encyclopedic range of reference, Gordon includes such chapters as "How to Design a Worm" and "The Advantage of Being a Beam," offering humorous insights in human and natural creation.Architects and engine

Michael J. etc.,etc said Book Review Number One: year "Book Review Number One: year 2017" according to Michael J. etc.,etc. Structures: Or why things don’t fall down A very interesting book, covering a wide field of topics, from the ground up you might say.Basic concepts of forces are addressed. Compression, tension, shear and torsion forces, and their occurrence in everything from bridges, ancient coliseums, trees, boats and human biology. This, the author does very well; constantly interweaving the effects of various types of strains and stresses and fractures as they occur in wood construction and metal beams, as well as human skeletons and arteries.Reasons for, and types of failure are described for wood, concrete, boat sails. 017. Structures: Or why things don’t fall down A very interesting book, covering a wide field of topics, from the ground up you might say.Basic concepts of forces are addressed. Compression, tension, shear and torsion forces, and their occurrence in everything from bridges, ancient coliseums, trees, boats and human biology. This, the author does very well; constantly interweaving the effects of various types of strains and stresses and fractures as they occur in wood construction and metal beams, as well as human skeletons and arteries.Reasons for, and types of failure are described for wood, concrete, boat sails. "The book is written sort of like a narrative" according to Melissa Johnson. What this book does very well is demonstrate the scientific process from a practical and engineering perspective. The book is written sort of like a narrative, and the historical descriptions take on a nearly first-person feel to it. It's almost like 'you' can experience the evolution of thought and understanding of structural mechanics.It's as close to a representation of how science is actually done as I've seen. Very unique.FYI though, the guy tends to get a bit verbose and it sometimes feels like words were added to make his stream of consciousness writing make sense to others, but not enough words were taken . "Five Stars" according to Clarence Darrow. I thought this would be a bit dry, but it's geared toward the layperson, and it's informative and entertaining.

Gordon, a professor at the University of Reading, is renowned for his research in plastics, crystals, and new materials. E. J.

"It is really, really good if you want a primer on structural design."Elon Musk"Rich and readablepersonal, witty, and ironic."Scientific American"Here we have the conversation in unbuttoned mood of a learned engineer with wide sympathies about his art, its history, its range, and the silly things which happen. It reads easily and has immense charm."Architect's Journal