User's Guide to Engineering, A

With an informal and engaging writing style, A User’s Guide to Engineering is an exploration of the world of engineering for future and current engineers. An important feature of this guide is the collection of engineering case studies which present stories of engineers faced with challenges that can be solved by applying the fundamental ideas presented in the book.

Table of Contents:
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