Advance your engineering skills and become a capable, confident problem solver by learning the wide array of tools, processes, and tactics employed in the field. Going far beyond "plug-and-chug" solutions, this multidisciplinary guide explains the underlying scientific principles, provides detailed engineering analysis, and lays out versatile problem-solving methodologies.
Written by an "engineer who teaches," with more than 20 years of experience as a practicing engineer and numerous awards for teaching engineering, this straightforward, one-of-a-kind resource fills a long-vacant niche by identifying and teaching the procedures necessary to address and resolve any problem, regardless of its complexity. Engineering Problem-Solving 101: Time-Tested and Timeless Techniques contains more than 50 systematic approaches spanning all disciplines, logically organized into mathematical, physical/mechanical, visual, and conceptual categories. Strategies are reinforced with practical reference tables, technical illustrations, interesting photographs, and real-world examples.
Key Features
- 50+ proven problem-solving methods
- Illustrative examples from all engineering disciplines
- Photos, illustrations, and figures that complement the material covered
- Detailed tables that summarize concepts and provide useful data in a convenient format
Contents
- Introduction
- Ch 1. Engineers as Problem Solvers
- Ch 2. Problem Solving Skills vs. Process vs. Techniques
Part I – Mathematical Approaches to Problem-Solving
- Ch 3. Using Equations(“Plug and Chug”)
- Ch 4. Approximating and Estimating
- Ch 5. Interpolating and Extrapolating
- Ch 6. Checking
- Ch 7. Dimensional Analysis and Reconciling Units
- Ch 8. Using Similarity and Ratios
- Ch 9. Using Indexes or Indices
- Ch 10. Scaling
- Ch 11. Sensitivity Analysis (of Parameters)
- Ch 12. Response Curves and Surfaces
- Ch 13. Numerical Analysis & Methods
- Ch 14. Dimensionless Quantities or Parameters
- Ch 15. Assumptions, Constraints, Conditions, and Cases
Part II – Physical/Mechanical Approaches to Problem-Solving
- Ch 16. Reverse Engineering
- Ch 17. Material Property Correlations
- Ch 18. Proof of Concept Models
- Ch 19. Experimental Models and Model Experiments
- Ch 20. Test Models and Model Testing
- Ch 21. Mockups and Masters
- Ch 22. Prototypes and Rapid Prototyping
- Ch 23. Trial and Error
Part III – Visual, Graphic, or Iconic Approaches to Problem-Solving
- Ch 24. Sketching and Rendering
- Ch 25. Tracings and Transfers, Lofting and Lines-taking
- Ch 26. Graphing and Graphical Methods
- Ch 27. Layouts
- Ch 28. Flow Diagrams or Flowcharts
- Ch 29. Causal Diagrams (Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagrams)
- Ch 30. Decision Trees
Part IV – Conceptual or Abstract Approaches to Problem-Solving
- Ch 31. Brainstorming Process, Methodology and Techniques
- Ch 32. Using Analogs
- Ch 33. Dissecting Problems: Decoupling and Coupling, Zooming In and Zooming Out
- Ch 34. Working Problems Backwards and Inverse Problems
- Ch 35.FunctionalAnalysis&Black Boxes
- Ch 36. Morphological Analysis and Morphological Charts
- Ch 37. Storyboarding
- Ch 38. Iteration and Iterative Design Process
About the Author
- Robert (Bob) W. Messler is Professor of Engineering at the Materials Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York. He spent 16 years in industry, 11 years at Grumman Aerospace, and 5 years at Eutectic-Castolin. Dr. Messler then returned to Rensselaer, where he earned his degrees, to serve as Technical Director and Associate Director of the Center for Manufacturing Productivity. He later became tenured as Professor and was appointed as Associate Dean for Academic & Student Affairs. Dr. Messler has authored 5 technical books.
Book Details
- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: McGraw-Hill Professional; 1 edition (© 2013)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0071799966
- ISBN-13: 978-0071799966
- Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 0.5 x 10 inches
- List Price: $50.00