Super Structures
The Science of Bridges, Buildings, Dams, and Other Feats of Engineering
Published on 2. August 2010
280 pages
978-0-8018-9956-0 (ISBN)
Description
Ever wonder how a graceful and slender bridge can support enormous loads over truly astonishing spans? Why domes and free-standing arches survive earthquakes that flatten the rest of a city?
Physicist Mark Denny looks at the large structures around us-tall buildings, long bridges, and big dams-and explains how they were designed and built and why they sometimes collapse, topple, or burst.
Denny uses clear, accessible language to explain the physics behind such iconic structures as the Parthenon, the Eiffel Tower, the Forth Rail Bridge in Edinburgh, and Hoover Dam. His friendly approach allows readers to appreciate the core principles that keep these engineering marvels upright without having to master complex mathematical equations.
Employing history, humor, and simple physics to consider such topics as when to use screws or nails, what trusses are, why iron beams are often I-shaped, and why medieval cathedrals have buttresses, Denny succeeds once again in making physics fun.
Physicist Mark Denny looks at the large structures around us-tall buildings, long bridges, and big dams-and explains how they were designed and built and why they sometimes collapse, topple, or burst.
Denny uses clear, accessible language to explain the physics behind such iconic structures as the Parthenon, the Eiffel Tower, the Forth Rail Bridge in Edinburgh, and Hoover Dam. His friendly approach allows readers to appreciate the core principles that keep these engineering marvels upright without having to master complex mathematical equations.
Employing history, humor, and simple physics to consider such topics as when to use screws or nails, what trusses are, why iron beams are often I-shaped, and why medieval cathedrals have buttresses, Denny succeeds once again in making physics fun.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Baltimore
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Illustrations
59 s/w Zeichnungen, 74 s/w Photographien bzw. Rasterbilder
59 Line drawings, black and white; 74 Halftones, black and white
File size
9,07 MB
ISBN-13
978-0-8018-9956-0 (9780801899560)
DOI
10.1353/book.72058
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
08/2010
Johns Hopkins University Press
€86.85
Article exhausted; check different version
Book
08/2010
Johns Hopkins University Press
€35.00
Article exhausted; check different version
Person
After earning a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Edinburgh University, Mark Denny pursued research at Oxford University from 1981 to 1984, then moved into a career in industry. He is the author of Ingenium: Five Machines That Changed the World; Blip, Ping, and Buzz: Making Sense of Radar and Sonar; Float Your Boat! The Evolution and Science of Sailing; and Froth! The Science of Beer, all of which are published by Johns Hopkins. Denny is now semi-retired and lives on Vancouver Island.
Content
Acknowledgments
Introduction: Heavyweight Engineering
1. Building Blocks
2. Truss in All Things
3. Towers of Strength
4. Arches and Domes
5. A Bridge Too Far
6. Dam It
7. The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall
Afterword: Highbrow Engineering, Heavyweight Art
Technical Appendix
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
Introduction: Heavyweight Engineering
1. Building Blocks
2. Truss in All Things
3. Towers of Strength
4. Arches and Domes
5. A Bridge Too Far
6. Dam It
7. The Bigger They Are, the Harder They Fall
Afterword: Highbrow Engineering, Heavyweight Art
Technical Appendix
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
