The Elements of Graphic Statics: A Text-Book for Students of Engineering

From the author's Preface: THE present work is designed as an elementary text-book for the use of students of engineering. In preparing it, a chief aim has been simplicity of presentation. The matter treated has been limited to the development of fundamental principles, and their application to the solution of typical problems. The method of the force and funicular polygons is deduced purely from statical principles, with very little consideration of the geometrical theory of reciprocal figures." Since the book is designed to embrace only what can profitably be taken in an elementary course by the student of engineering, it has not been thought best to include a discussion of problems involving the theory of elasticity. For similar reasons, the discussion of curves of inertia has been limited to simple cases; a more general treatment being of interest to few besides the student of pure mathematics. No effort has been made to secure novelty in the matter treated, but it is believed that in a few cases it has been found possible to simplify, and perhaps thereby improve, the methods usually adopted. Attention is invited to the method adopted for lettering corresponding lines in force and space diagrams. It will be seen that this is merely an extension of Bow's well-known notation. This notation is, however, capable of a much wider use than has usually been given it. It is believed that its use, wherever applicable, will be found of great value, both in facilitating the work of the student, and in guarding the draughtsman against mistakes." There is an unfortunate diversity of usage among writers in regard to the technical terms of mechanics, - a diversity especially noticeable in engineering literature. In this book the endeavor has been made in all cases to comply with the usage to which the highest authorities are tending. * * * * * "I have carefully examined the book. and shall take every available opportunity to recommend it to engineering students as a work well suited to their needs.... I admire the simple and clear manner employed in the treatment of the subject." -Prof. George H. Wane, Worcester Polytechnic Institute. ...the best works on graphical statics (for instance, Hoskins' "Elements of Graphic Statics," to which reference is made in "Alternating Currents"). The method is of great advantage in the case of complicated solutions.... -D. C. Jackson, University of Wisconsin.