UNIVERSITY OF Tone. 



DEPARTMENT OF CIVIL ENGINEERING 



Municipal and Structural 



PREFACE 



The chief feature which distinguishes this volume from other 

 American textbooks on the same subject is that the Principle of 

 Moments is used consistently throughout in place of the usual 

 calculus processes. By basing the work on this principle it has 

 been found practicable to give a simple and obvious treatment 

 of many topics for which the calculus is usually thought to be 

 indispensable, such as the calculation of moments of inertia, the 

 deflection of beams, the buckling of columns, and the strength 

 of thick cylinders. Experience has shown conclusively that the 

 average engineering graduate, and even the practicing engineer, is 

 deficient in the ability to apply the Principle of Moments readily, 

 but when thus used as the central and coordinating principle, it 

 must necessarily make an indelible impression on the mind of the 

 student and go far toward remedying this deficiency. 



The mechanics of materials is of such fundamental importance in 

 all branches of technology that it is important to begin its study 

 as early in the course as possible. Heretofore it has been necessary 

 to defer it - - awaiting the completion of the calculus until junior 

 year, when the curriculum is already crowded with technical sub- 

 jects requiring its application. This text makes it possible for the 

 .course to parallel or even to precede the calculus. In addition, it 

 makes the subject available for trade or architectural schools where 

 no calculus is taught. 



Although simple and obvious, the treatment is adequate, and 

 its simplicity in no way limits its range or generality. The text 

 is supplemented by a variety of engineering applications, giving 

 practical information as well as a mastery of the principles involved. 



S. E. SLOCUM 



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