Structures

<b>In a book that <i>Business Insider </i>noted as one of the 14 Books that inspired Elon Musk J.E. Gordon strips engineering of its confusing technical terms communicating its founding principles in accessible witty prose.</b> <p/>For anyone who has ever wondered why suspension bridges don't collapse under eight lanes of traffic how dams hold back--or give way under--thousands of gallons of water or what principles guide the design of a skyscraper a bias-cut dress or a kangaroo this book will ease your anxiety and answer your questions. <p/><i>Structures: Or Why Things Don't Fall Down</i> is an informal explanation of the basic forces that hold together the ordinary and essential things of this world--from buildings and bodies to flying aircraft and eggshells. In a style that combines wit a masterful command of his subject and an encyclopedic range of reference Gordon includes such chapters as How to Design a Worm and The Advantage of Being a Beam offering humorous insights in human and natural creation. <p/>Architects and engineers will appreciate the clear and cogent explanations of the concepts of stress shear torsion fracture and compression. If you're building a house a sailboat or a catapult here is a handy tool for understanding the mechanics of joinery floors ceilings hulls masts--or flying buttresses. <p/>Without jargon or oversimplification <i>Structures</i> opens up the marvels of technology to anyone interested in the foundations of our everyday lives.