Introduction to Engineering

A broad, yet concise, introduction to the field of engineering for undergraduate students. Designed for the beginning student, this text covers the history of engineering, career paths for engineers, issues of professional responsibility and ethics, and critical engineering skills like problem solving and communication. Includes two case studies, one of which deals with the circumstances and events leading to the space shuttle Challenger accident. A brief, paperback text, this title can be used in conjunction with other texts to provide a solid foundation for the introductory engineering course.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1/HISTORY OF ENGINEERING 1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Engineering in the Early Civilizations: The Mesopotamians 2 1.3 Engineering in the Early Civilizations: The Egyptians 3 1.4 Contributions of the Greeks 6 1.5 Contributions of the Romans 7 1.6 Engineering in the Middle Ages 10 1.7 The Advancement of Science: Circa A.D. 1300–1750 10 1.8 Advancements in Engineering: A.D. 1750–1900 11 1.9 Engineering in the Twentieth Century 14 CHAPTER 2/DEFINITION OF ENGINEERING 2.1 Engineering 21 2.2 Engineering Support Personnel 23 ENGINEERING FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION 25 2.3 Electrical Engineering 25 2.4 Computer Engineering 26 2.5 Mechanical Engineering 27 2.6 Civil Engineering 28 2.7 Chemical Engineering 30 2.8 Industrial Engineering 31 2.9 Aerospace Engineering 32 2.10 Materials Engineering 32 2.11 Other Branches of Engineering 33 2.12 Functions of Engineering 34 CAREER PATHS FOR ENGINEERS 35 2.13 The Corporate Ladder 36 2.14 The Independent Entrepreneur 37 2.15 Employment Opportunities in Government 38 2.16 Engineering and Social Services Abroad 39 2.17 The Engineering Professor 39 2.18 Graduate Work Outside of Engineering 40 2.19 The Multiple-Track, Variable Career 41 INITIAL CAREER PROFILES 41 2.20 Chemical Engineering Graduates 42 2.21 Civil Engineering Graduates 43 2.22 Electrical Engineering Graduates 44 2.23 Mechanical Engineering Graduates 45 2.24 Biomedical Engineering Graduates 47 2.25 Computer Engineering Graduates 47 2.26 Environmental Engineering Graduates 48 2.27 Industrial Engineering Graduates 48 CHAPTER 3/THE ENGINEER AS A PROFESSIONAL 3.1 Engineering as a Profession 51 3.2 Characteristics and Responsibilities of Professional Engineers 53 3.3 Ideals and Obligations of Professional Engineers 53 3.4 Professional Registration 55 3.5 Professional Organizations 57 3.6 Engineering Ethics 60 3.7 Moral Foundations of Engineering Ethics 61 3.8 The Framework of Engineering Ethics 63 3.9 Codes of Engineering Ethics 64 3.10 Case Studies in Engineering Ethics 69 CHAPTER 4/LEARNING AND CREATIVE THOUGHT 4.1 Introduction 87 4.2 The Successful Engineering Student 87 4.3 The Engineering Curriculum 89 4.4 Curriculum Planning and Management 93 4.5 Adapting to the College Classroom 94 THE LEARNING PROCESS 95 4.6 The Nature of Learning 95 4.7 Information Processing and Memory 95 4.8 Determinants of Efficient Learning 97 4.9 Practical Suggestions for Learning 98 DIFFERENCES IN THE WAY PEOPLE THINK 99 4.10 The Four-Quadrant Model of Thinking 99 4.11 Hindrances to Problem Solving 101 ON CREATIVITY 104 4.12 What Is Creativity? 104 4.13 The Nature of Creativity 104 4.14 Characteristics of Creative People 105 4.15 The Creative Process 106 4.16 Overcoming Obstacles to Creative Thinking 106 CHAPTER 5/THE ENGINEERING APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING THE NATURE OF ENGINEERING DESIGN 111 Engineering Teams 112 THE ENGINEERING METHOD 112 5.1 Identification of the Problem 113 5.2 Gathering Needed Information 114 5.3 Searching for Creative Solutions 114 Brainstorming 115 Checklists 115 Attribute Listing 115 Forced Relationship Technique 116 Morphological Analysis 117 5.4 Stepping from Ideation to Preliminary Designs 118 Mathematical Models 119 Simulation Models 119 Physical Models 120 5.5 Evaluation and Selection of Preferred Solution 125 Economic Analysis 126 Other Evaluation Techniques 128 5.6 Preparation of Reports, Plans, and Specifications 130 5.7 Implementation of the Design 130 Patenting 130 Computer-Aided Design 131 Learning from Failures 132 The Hyatt Regency Hotel Walkways Collapse 134 CHAPTER 6/ENGINEERING COMMUNICATIONS 6.1 Introduction 141 6.2 Communications and Information Resources 142 How Engineers Find Information and the Information Seeking Process 142 Turning Information into Knowledge: Evaluating and Processing Information 142 Where to Locate Information and Good Starting Points 145 THE ENGINEER AS A WRITER 147 6.3 Guidelines for Effective Writing 148 6.4 Types of Engineering Writing 149 GRAPHICAL COMMUNICATIONS 153 6.5 ANSI Line Conventions and Lettering 155 6.6 Types of Graphical Communications 158 6.7 Sketching 158 6.8 Pictorial Representations 159 6.9 Orthographic Representations 160 6.10 Section Views 161 6.11 Auxiliary Views 163 6.12 Computer Tools for Creating Representations 164 6.13 Simulation and Virtual Reality 165 THE ENGINEER AS A SPEAKER 165 6.14 Guidelines for Effective Speaking 165 6.15 Use of Visual Aids 166 Use of Computer Technology in Oral Presentations 167 6.16 Technical Presentations at Professional Meetings 167 6.17 The Engineer as a Presiding Officer 168 CHAPTER 7/ENGINEERING CALCULATIONS 7.1 The Presentation of Engineering Calculations 175 7.2 Number Systems 177 7.3 Dimensions 178 7.4 Units 179 The International System of Units 180 Units Used with SI 184 7.5 Significant Figures 187 7.6 Scientific Notation 188 BRANCHES OF MATHEMATICS 188 7.7 Algebra 189 7.8 Geometry 189 7.9 Trigonometry 190 7.10 Calculus 191 7.11 Engineering Statistics 194 The Normal Distribution 196 7.12 Graphical Analysis 199 Developing an Equation for a Straight-line Relationship 202 CHAPTER 8/A CASE STUDY—ATLANTA’S FREEDOM PARKWAY PROJECT 8.1 Background 213 8.2 Social and Environmental Legislation 214 8.3 Significant State Legislation 217 8.4 The Abandonment of Interstate Route I-485 218 8.5 Local Plan Development 219 8.6 The Presidential Parkway 221 Solicitation of Support 222 Design Features and Location 222 Social and Environmental Assessment 226 Public Opposition to the Presidential Parkway 227 Administrative Actions 228 8.7 Litigation 229 Civil Disobedience 230 8.8 Mediation 232 8.9 The Freedom Parkway 235 Design Features of the Freedom Parkway 238 Congressional Approval 238 8.10 Conclusion 238 CHAPTER 9/A CASE STUDY—THE SPACE SHUTTLE CHALLENGER ACCIDENT 9.1 Background 243 9.2 The Space Shuttle 244 9.3 From Earth to Orbit 246 9.4 Events Leading up to the Challenger Mission 248 9.5 Launch Delays 249 9.6 The Presidential Commission and Its Activities 251 9.7 The Accident 253 9.8 The Cause of the Accident 257 9.9 The Contributing Cause of the Accident 264 INDEX 273

About the Author :
Paul H. Wright is the author of Introduction to Engineering, 3rd Edition, published by Wiley.