Part I: Discovering Engineering

 

Chapter 1: About Discovering Engineering

 

1.1  Introduction

            Focus On Choosing Engineering: So Why Did You Become an Engineer?

1.2  Welcome to Engineering

1.3  How to Discover Engineering

            Focus On Diversity in Engineering: The Real McCoy?

1.4  Engineering Education: What You Should Expect

      1.4.1 Eaton’s first rule: “ ... make practical applications of all the sciences ...”

      1.4.2 Eaton’s second rule: “... take the place of the teacher ... [in] exercises.”

      1.4.3 Eaton’s third rule: “... attend to but one branch of learning at the same time...”

      1.4.4 Eaton’s fourth rule: “Let the amusements and recreation of students be of a scientific character.”

      1.4.5 Eaton’s fifth rule: “Let every student daily criticize those whose exercise he has attended ...”

1.5  Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 2: What is Engineering?

 

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Defining Engineering

2.3 Engineering as an Applied Discipline

      2.3.1 Knowledge generation versus knowledge implementation

      2.3.2 The role of engineering

2.4 Engineering As Creative Problem Solving

      2.4.1 Solving problems

      2.4.2 Standard approaches to solving problems

      2.4.3 Creative approaches to solving problems

2.5 Engineering as Constrained Optimization

      2.5.1 Constraints

      2.5.2 Feasibility

            Focus On Constrained Optimization: A Square Peg in a Round Hole

2.6 Engineering as Making Choices

2.7 Engineering as Helping Others

2.8 Engineering as a Profession

2.9 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 3: Engineering Careers

 

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Engineering Jobs

      3.2.1 Availability of jobs

      3.2.2 Introduction to engineer­ing jobs

      3.2.3 Engineers in industry

      3.2.4 Engineers in service

      3.2.5 Engineers in government

      3.2.6 Other engineering jobs

      3.2.7 Engineering education as a route to other fields

            Focus On Non-Engineers: It’s Not Hedy, It’s Hedley

3.3 Job Satisfaction in Engineering

      3.3.1 What does “job satisfaction” mean to you?

      3.3.2 Engineering salaries

3.4 Future of Engineering Employment

3.5 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 4: Engineering Disciplines

 

4.1 Introduction

4.2 How Many Engineering Disciplines Exist?

4.3 Chemical Engineering

      4.3.1 Technical areas

      4.3.2 Applications

      4.3.3 Curriculum

4.4 Civil Engineering

      4.3.1 Technical areas

      4.3.2 Applications

      4.3.3 Curriculum

4.5 Electrical Engineering

      4.5.1 Technical areas

      4.5.2 Applications

      4.5.3 Curriculum

4.6 Industrial Engineering

      4.6.1 Technical areas

      4.6.2 Applications

      4.6.3 Curriculum

4.7 Mechanical Engineering

      4.7.1 Technical areas

      4.7.2 Applications

      4.7.3 Curriculum

4.8 Major Engineering Subdisciplines

      4.8.1 Introduction

      4.8.2 Materials engineering

      4.8.3 Aeronautical, astronautical, and aerospace engineering

      4.8.4 Environmental engineering

      4.8.5 Agricultural engineering

      4.8.6 Biomedical engineering

4.9 How Do New Engineering Disciplines Evolve?

      4.9.1 Introduction

      4.9.2 Creation of new field by budding

      4.9.3 Creation of new field by merging

            Focus On Emerging Disciplines: So You Want to Be a Nanoengineer?

4.10 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

 

Part II: Engineering Problem Solving

 

 

Chapter 5: Introduction to Engineering Problem Solving and the Scientific Method

 

5.1 Introduction

      5.1.1 Engineering problems

      5.1.2 The art and science of engineering problem-solving

      5.1.3 Engineering solution methods

5.2 Approaches to Engineering Problem Solving

      5.2.1 Introduction

      5.2.2 Scientific method

      5.2.3 Engineering analysis method

      5.2.4 Engineering design method

      5.2.5 Need for innovation

5.3 Introduction to the Scientific Method

      5.3.1 Introduction

      5.3.2. Scientific problem-solving process

5.4 Problem Definition

      5.4.1 Introduction

      5.4.2 Inclusive and exclusive definitions

      5.4.3 Disadvantages of definitions that are not specific

5.5 Formulate a Hypothesis

      5.5.1 Introduction

      5.5.2 Hypotheses as testable statements

5.6 Test the Hypothesis

      5.6.1 Testing a hypothesis by experiment

      5.6.2 Testing a hypothesis by analysis

5.7 Drawing Conclusions from Hypothesis Testing

      5.7.1 Rejecting a hypothesis

      5.7.2 Conditionally accepting a hypothesis

5.8 Examples of the Use of the Scientific Method

5.9 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 6: Engineering Analysis Method

 

6.1 Introduction

      6.1.1 Introduction to the engineering analysis method

      6.1.2 Solving analysis problems

6.2 Gathering Data

      6.2.1 Introduction

      6.2.2 Data collection

6.3 Selecting the Analysis Method

      6.3.1 Introduction

      6.3.2 Selection of physical laws

      6.3.3 Translation into mathematical expressions

6.4 Estimate the Solution

      6.4.1 Introduction

      6.4.2 Example

6.5 Solving the Problem

      6.5.1 Solving mathematical expressions by isolating the unknown

      6.5.2 “Golden Rule” of expression manipulation

      6.5.3 Manipulating inequalities

      6.5.4 Hints for manipulating equations

6.6 Check the Results

      6.6.1 Introduction

      6.6.2 Use logic to avoid aphysical answers

      6.6.3 Using logic to check expression manipulation

      6.6.4 Using estimation to check solutions

      6.6.5 Using units to check solutions

6.7 Units

      6.7.1 Introduction

      6.7.2 Dimensional analysis

            Focus On Units: The Multimillion Dollar Units Mistake

      6.7.3 Units and functions

      6.7.4 Units conversion

6.8 An Example of the Engineering Analysis Method

6.9 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 7: Engineering Design Method

 

7.1 Introduction

      7.1.1 Introduction to engineering design

      7.1.2 Solving design problems

7.2 Generating Multiple Solutions

      7.2.1 Introduction

      7.2.2 Brainstorming

      7.2.3 Methods for generating new ideas

7.3 Analyzing Alternatives and Selecting a Solution

      7.3.1 Analyzing alternatives

      7.3.2 Selecting a solution

7.4 Implementing the Solution

7.5 Evaluating the Solution

7.6 Design Example

7.7 Design Parameters

      7.7.1 Introduction

      7.7.2 Example

      7.7.3 Uses of design parameters

7.8 Innovations in Design

      7.8.1 Introduction

      7.8.2 Need for innovation

      7.8.3 Design innovation by concurrent engineering

      7.8.4 Design innovation by reengineering

      7.8.5 Design innovation by reverse engineering

      7.8.6 How to innovate

      7.8.7 Translating failure into success through innovation

            Focus On Design: What Comes Around, Goes Around

7.9 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

 

Part III: Engineering Problem-Solving Tools

 

 

Chapter 8: Introduction to Engineering Problem-Solving Tools and Using Data

 

8.1 Introduction

      8.1.1 Engineering problem-solving tools

      8.1.2 Using data

8.2 Accuracy and Precision

      8.2.1 Introduction

      8.2.2 Accuracy

      8.2.3 Precision

8.3 Rounding and Significant Digits

      8.3.1 Introduction

      8.3.2 Counting the number of significant digits

      8.3.3 Exceptions to the rule: numbers with no decimal point and exact numbers

      8.3.4 Reporting measurements

      8.3.5 Rounding and calculations

8.4 Measures of Central Tendency

      8.4.1 Introduction

      8.4.2 Arithmetic mean

      8.4.3 Median

      8.4.4 Geometric mean

      8.4.5 Harmonic mean

      8.4.6 Quadratic mean

      8.4.7 Mode

8.5 Measures of Variability

      8.5.1 Introduction

      8.5.2 Variance

      8.5.3 Standard deviation

      8.5.4 Relative standard deviation

      8.5.5 Variability and data collection in engineering

            Focus On Variability: Paying to Reduce Uncertainty

8.6 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 9: Engineering Models

 

9.1 Introduction

9.2 Why Use Models?

9.3 Types of Models

      9.3.1 Introduction

      9.3.2 Conceptual models

      9.3.3 Physical models

      9.3.4 Mathematical models

      9.3.5 Other kinds of models

            Focus On Models: Mathematical or Physical Model?

9.4 Using Models and Data to Answer Engineering Questions

      9.4.1 Interplay of models and data

      9.4.2 Potential errors

      9.4.3 Model fits

      9.4.4 Using calibrated models

      9.4.5 Determining model fit

      9.4.6 Are engineering models real?

9.5 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 10: Computing Tools in Engineering

 

10.1 Introduction

10.2 Computer Hardware

      10.2.1 Computer types

      10.2.2 Microprocessors

      10.2.3 Memory and mass storage

      10.2.4 Input, output, and communication devices

10.3 General Computer Software

      10.3.1 Introduction

      10.3.2 Operating systems

      10.3.3 Communications software

      10.3.4 Spreadsheet software

10.4 Engineering and Science Specific Software

      10.4.1 Introduction

      10.4.2 Programming software

      10.4.3 Trends in programming software

      10.4.4 Symbolic math software

      10.4.5 Computer-aided design

      10.4.6 Discipline-specific software

10.5 The Internet

      10.5.1 Introduction

      10.5.2 Structure of the Internet

      10.5.3 Uses of the Internet

10.6 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Chapter 11: Feasibility and Project Management

 

11.1 Introduction

11.2 Technical Feasibility

11.3 Engineering Economics

      11.3.1 Costs of engineering projects

      11.3.2 Time value of money

      11.3.3 Calculating the present and future value of money

      11.3.4 Uniform series

      11.3.5 Engineering economics calculations

11.4 Economic Feasibility

      11.4.1 Introduction

      11.4.2 Comparing alternatives

      11.4.3 Example

11.5 Fiscal Feasibility

      11.5.1 Introduction

      11.5.2 Bonds

      11.5.3 Example

11.6 Social, Political, and Environmental Feasibility

11.7 Project Management

      11.7.1 Introduction

      11.7.2 Project planning

      11.7.3 Project scheduling

      11.7.4 Critical path method

11.8 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Part IV: Technical Communication

 

 

Chapter 12: Introduction to Technical Communication

 

12.1 Introduction

12.2 Role of Technical Communication in Engineering

      12.2.1 Technical communication as a professional skill

      12.2.2 Technical communication and employment

12.3 Misconceptions About Technical Communication

      12.3.1 Misconception #1: Technical communication is inherently boring

      12.3.2 Misconception #2: Engineering communication is passive

      12.3.3 Misconception #3: Technical communication is best left to non-engineering specialists

      12.3.4 Misconception #4: Good technical communicators are born, not made

12.4 Critical First Steps

      12.4.1 Presentation goals

      12.4.2 Target audience

      12.4.3 Constraints

12.5 Organization

      12.5.1 Outlines

      12.5.2 Signposting

12.6 Using Tables and Figures to Present Data

      12.6.1 Use of tables and figures

      12.6.2 Common characteristics of tables and figures

12.7 Tables

12.8 Figures

      12.8.1 Scatter plots

      12.8.2 Bar charts

      12.8.3 Pie charts

            Focus On Figures: Of Plots and Space Shuttles

12.9 Creativity in Technical Presentations

      12.9.1 Creative conciseness

      12.9.2 Thinking visually

12.10 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

Chapter 13: Written Technical Communications

 

13.1 Introduction

13.2 Overall Organization of Technical Documents

      13.2.1 Introduction

      13.2.2 General organization

      13.2.3 Abstract

      13.2.4 Introduction

      13.2.5 Methods

      13.2.6 Results and discussion

      13.2.7 Conclusions and recommendations

      13.2.8 References

      13.2.9 Signposting in technical writing

13.3 Organizing Parts of Technical Documents

      13.3.1 Paragraph organization

      13.3.2 Sentence organization

      13.3.3 Word choice

13.4 Grammar and Spelling

      13.4.1 Subject-verb match

      13.4.2 Voice

      13.4.3 Tense

      13.4.4 Pronouns

      13.4.5 Adjectives and adverbs

      13.4.6 Capitalization and punctuation

      13.4.7 Spelling

      13.4.8 Citation

      13.4.9 Other problem areas

      13.4.10 Proofreading

13.5 Types of Engineering Documents

      13.5.1 Introduction

      13.5.2 Reports

      13.5.3 Letters

      13.5.4 Memorandums

            Focus On Writing: Whither Paper Reports?

13.6 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

Chapter 14: Oral Technical Communications

 

14.1 Introduction

14.2 Before the Talk: Organization

14.3 Before the Talk: Designing Visual Aids

      14.3.1 Number of visual aids

      14.3.2 Types of visual aids

      14.3.3 Content of visual aids: word slides

      14.3.4 Content of visual aids: data slides

      14.3.5 Special notes about computer-based presentations

 

14.4 Before the Talk: Preparing to Present

      14.4.1 Practicing oral presentations

      14.4.2 Memory aids

14.5 During the Talk

      14.5.1 Pre-talk activities

      14.5.2 Group presentations

      14.5.3 Nervousness

      14.5.4 What to say

      14.5.5 How to say it

            Focus On Talks: Horror Stories

14.6 After the Talk

14.7 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

 

Part V: Engineering Profession

 

 

Chapter 15: Introduction to the Engineering Profession and Professional Registration

 

15.1 Introduction

15.2 Professional Issues

      15.2.1 What is a profession?

      15.2.2 Engineering as a profession

      15.2.3 Judgment and discretion in engineering

      15.2.4 Admission to the profession

      15.2.5 Self-policing

            Focus On Professionalism: Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

15.3 Professional Engineers

      15.3.1 Introduction

      15.3.2 Why Become a professional engineer?

15.4 The Registration Process

      15.4.1 Overview

      15.4.2 The accredited degree

      15.4.3 Fundamentals of Engineering Examination

      15.4.4 Experience

      15.4.5 Principles and Practice Examination

            Focus On Registration: PE or Not PE?

15.5 After Registration

15.6 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

 

Chapter 16: Engineering Ethics

 

16.1 Introduction

16.2 Why Should Engineers Be Ethical?

16.3 Codes of Ethics

      16.3.1 Introduction

      16.3.2 NSPE Code of Ethics

16.4 Examples of Engineering Ethics

      16.4.1 Not reporting violations

      16.4.2 Whistle-blowing

            Focus On Ethics: Workplace Ethics

16.5 Summary

Summary of Key Ideas

Problems

NSPE Code of Ethics for Engineers

 

 

Part VI: Case Studies in Engineering

 

 

Chapter 17: Introduction to the Engineering Case Studies

 

17.1 Introduction

17.2 Case Studies in this Text

      17.2.1 Introduction

      17.2.2 Using the case studies

17.3 Summary

 

Chapter 18: Millennium Bridge Case Study

 

18.1 Introduction

18.2 The Story

18.3 The Case Study

      18.3.1 Introduction

      18.3.2 Case study

      18.3.3 Reporting

18.4 Study Questions

18.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Summary of Key Ideas

Default Grading Scheme: Millennium Bridge Case Study

 

 

 

Chapter 19: Controllability Case Study

 

19.1 Introduction

19.2 The Story

19.3 The Case Study

      19.3.1 Introduction

      19.3.2 Case study

      19.3.3 Modeling

      19.3.4 Reporting

19.4 Study Questions

19.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Default Grading Scheme: Controllability Case Study

 

Chapter 20: Dissolution Case Study

 

20.1 Introduction

20.2 The Story

20.3 The Case Study

      20.3.1 Introduction

      20.3.2 Case study

      20.3.3 Reporting

20.4 Study Questions

20.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Default Grading Scheme: Dissolution Case Study

 

Chapter 21: Computer Workstation Case Study

 

21.1 Introduction

21.2 The Story

21.3 The Case Study

      21.3.1 Introduction

      21.3.2 Case study

      21.3.3 Reporting

21.4 Study Questions

21.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Default Grading Scheme: Computer Workstation Case Study

 

Chapter 22: Power Transmission Case Study

 

22.1 Introduction

22.2 The Story

22.3 The Case Study

      22.3.1 Introduction

      22.3.2 Case study

      22.3.3 Reporting

22.4 Study Questions

22.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Default Grading Scheme: Power Transmission Case Study

 

Chapter 23: Walkway Collapse Case Study

 

23.1 Introduction

23.2 The Story

23.3 The Case Study

      23.3.1 Introduction

      23.3.2 Case study

      23.3.3 Reporting

23.4 Study Questions

23.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Default Grading Scheme: Walkway Collapse Case Study

 

Chapter 24: Trebuchet Case Study

 

24.1 Introduction

24.2 The Story

24.3 The Case Study

      24.3.1 Introduction

      24.3.2 Case study

      24.3.3 Reporting

24.4 Study Questions

24.5 Acknowledgements and Further Reading

Default Grading Scheme: Trebuchet Case Study

 

 

Appendix A: Review of Physical Relationships   A.1 Introduction A.2 Definitions       A.2.1 Kinematic parameters       A.2.2 Fundamental forces       A.2.3 Other forces       A.2.4 Energy, work, and power A.3 Decomposition by Vectors       A.3.1 Position vectors       A.3.2 Other vectors A.4 Conservation Laws A.5 Gradient-driven Processes

 

Appendix B: Greek Alphabet in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics     Appendix C: Linear Regression   C.1 Introduction C.2 Linear Regression Analysis C.3 Calculating Linear Regression Coefficients   Appendix D: Using Solver

 

D.1 Introduction

D.2 Using Solver for Model Fitting

      D.2.1 Introduction

      D.2.2 Setting up the spreadsheet

      D.2.3 Finding optimal parameter values

D.3 Using Solver with Constraints

      D.3.1 Introduction

      D.3.2 Finding optimal parameter values with constraints

D.4 Final Thoughts on Optimization

 

Appendix E: Extended Trebuchet Analysis

 

E.1 Introduction

E.2 Analysis

      E.2.1 Introduction

      E.2.2 Revised kinematic equations

      E.2.3 Dependency on d and l/L

      E.2.4 Results

 

Appendix F: References and Bibliographies

 

F.1 References

F.2 Annotated Bibliography: Technical Communication

F.3 Bibliographies for Focus Ons