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Classic and/or Good Textbooks? 3

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Archie264

Archie264

Structural
Aug 29, 2012
993
US
A post by AELLC caused me to look up Russell S. Fling. This caused me to find his textbook, "Practical Design of Reinforced Concrete" on sale on Amazon for a trifling sum ($4 or $5, maybe?). At first perusal it appears to be excellent! I wish it had been the textbook I studied under, in fact. Apparently Russell Fling was an accomplished practitioner who owned his own consulting firm for many years and was president of ACI between 1976 & 1977. With that background it doesn't surprise me that he was able to write such a good book.

The book I got used to be part of a university's library. I think libraries are divesting themselves of books, which can then be had for a song. So...what other books out there are worth snapping up? There's only so much room on my bookshelf but there's always room for a good one...

Some recommendations I have include the following:

"Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice" by Terzaghi & Peck
"Structural Analysis" by Harold I. Laursen
"Theory of Plates & Shells" by Timoshenko & Woinowski-Krieger
"Data Book for Civil Engineers" by Elwyn E. Seelye

What others? Care to share your secrets? What say ye-all?[bigsmile]
 
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Design of Wood Structures by Donald Breyer and others. One of the best summaries of loads, shear wall and collector, and general structural engineering. It's also 100% the go-to resource for wood design. Great examples, great info.
This isn't really a secret but the AISC Steel Design Manual and Seismic Design Manual. These two books are how a code/manual should be written in my opinion. Tons of great info, the best tools for designing with steel. Combine these with the AISC design guides and the CD examples and you have an almost perfect reference with steel design.

Snow Loads: Guide to the Snow Load Provisions of ASCE 7-10 by Michael O'Rourke. The one stop book for all your snow design needs. Great examples and really helps fill in the grey areas of the ASCE 7 code.
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
 
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Archie,

The book we used at University for concrete was Phil M. Ferguson's "Reinforced Concrete Fundamentals", which is IMO a very good book. I haven't seen the Fling text that you cite in your OP.

Amazingly, I did find the Fling article I originally mentioned - a CRSI article titled "Using ACI318 - The Easy Way"

It was in one of my old concrete design notebooks, and the pages are bit yellow. It is 7 pages long, and I can scan it if anyone would like to see it.



The definition of a structural engineer: overdesign by a factor of 1.999, instead of the usual 2.
 
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AELLC,

Yes, I'd love to see it if it's not too much trouble. Thanks!
 
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- Reinforced Concrete Structures by Park & Paulay
- Reinforced Concrete by Sigalov & Strongin
- Simplified Design of Steel Members by SESOC NZ
- Design of Welded Structures by Omar Blogett
- Structural Engineer's Handbook by Milo S. Ketchum
- Structural Engineering Formulas (yes, it should be Formulae, but whatever) by Ilya Mikhelson [NOT the new release; Garbage]
- Displacement Based Seismic Design of Structures by Priestley, Calvi & Kowalsky [I doubt you'll find such a new text on the cheap]
- Foundation Engineering by Das
- CPCI Metric Design Manual
- Precast Concrete Structures by the National Precast Concrete Society of Australian [Very hard to get outside of Auzzie & NZ - They will not ship]
- Architectural Graphics Standard [Anything pre 1980s is way more useful]
- Managing the Professional Services Firm by David R. Meister
 
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Archie,

Is the "Structural Analysis" by Laursen a good hand-analysis textbook? I have been looking for one for a while to enhance my hand-analysis knowledge for the SE Exam.
 
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AELLC: I think I have just found by RC Wooten, thanks to your attachment. That is a FANTASTIC article, and I am already updating (and unit correcting the material.

A star for your trouble, and my thanks for another of your posts.
 
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Crackerjack47,

Yes, in my opinion "Structural Analysis" by Laursen is an excellent good hand-analysis textbook. It includes the Hardy Cross/Moment Distribution method, the Portal Frame Method, calculating deflections by geometric methods, as well as others, all as can be worked out by hand.

AELLC,

I'm only halfway through that article but it's already superb! Like CELinOttawa mentioned, your effort deserves a star. Here's another one.
 
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1) NEVER sell your textbooks from University days - I made that mistake and sold 3, which I regret - very much.

2) "Structural Analysis" by Jack McCormac

The definition of a structural engineer: overdesign by a factor of 1.999, instead of the usual 2.
 
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Great thread – I love picking up used reference books at incredibly low prices. After reading this thread I just ordered:
Principles of Foundation Engineering by Braja M. Das
Structural Analysis: A Classical and Matrix Approach by Jack McCormac, Rudolph E. Elling
Structural analysis by Harold I Laursen
Practical Design of Reinforced Concrete by Russell S. Fling
Managing The Professional Service Firm by David H. Maister, David Maister

All for only CAD$40

As a young engineer, this is an extremely easy way to fill out my library!

Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds - Albert Einstein
 
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Agreed with Fish, I'm building up a great wishlist on Amazon that looks like it will not cost that much and will really flesh out my library. Keep them coming!

I'll actually add another one that I've actually never used much myself but have had recommended to me multiple times. The PCA Notes on Aci 318-08 Building Code Requirements. Quite expensive on Amazon actually so this doesn't look like it would be a cheap book to buy.
Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.
 
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LOL, all my college textbooks have the original prices stamped on them, mostly all under $20 a pop.

The definition of a structural engineer: overdesign by a factor of 1.999, instead of the usual 2.
 
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IF you can find a copy, the AISC Textbook of Structural Shop Crafting, three volume set, first edition.
 
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If anyone wants to buy these books, the time may be now. You will regret if you don't because now these books will become popular and no longer *cheap*. :)
 
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