Changes in the Fourth Edition
The Fourth Edition, consisting of 20 chapters, includes a number of new additions and changes
that were incorporated in response to suggestions and requests made by professors and students
using the Third Edition of the book. The major changes include:- Over 200 new additional problems.
- A new section on the Civil Engineering Design Process. This section was added to address the
fact that civil engineering design process is slightly different from other engineering disciplines. - A new section on Sustainability in Design. This section was included to emphasize the fact
that future engineers are expected to design and provide goods and services that increase the
standard of living and advance health care, while addressing serious environmental and sus-
tainability concerns. - A new section on Learning Engineering Fundamental Concepts and Design Variables from
Fundamental Dimensions. To become successful engineers, students must first completely
grasp certain fundamentals and design variables. Then it is important for them to know how
these variables are calculated, approximated, measured, or used in engineering analysis and
design. - Additional sections in Chapter 10. This chapter was revamped to explain important concepts
in mechanics conceptually. - A new section on Degree-Days and Energy Estimation. With the current energy and sus-
tainability concerns, as future engineers, it is important for students to understand some of
the simple-energy-estimation procedures. - A new section on Lighting Systems. Lighting systems account for a major portion of elec-
tricity use in buildings and have received much attention lately. This section was added to
introduce the basic terminology and concepts in lighting systems. It is important for all future
engineers regardless of their area of expertise to understand these basic concepts. - A new section on Energy Sources, Generation, and Consumption. During this period in our
history where the world’s growing demand for energy is among one of the most difficult chal-
lenges that we face, as future engineers, students need to understand two problems: energy
PREFACE
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