Exploring Engineering
An Introduction to Engineering and Design
- 6th Edition - October 30, 2024
- Authors: Robert Balmer, William Keat
- Language: English
- Paperback ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 3 5 4 1 - 5
- eBook ISBN:9 7 8 - 0 - 4 4 3 - 1 3 5 4 2 - 2
Exploring Engineering: An Introduction to Engineering and Design, Sixth Edition explores the world of engineering by introducing the reader to what engineers do, the fundam… Read more
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Request a sales quoteExploring Engineering: An Introduction to Engineering and Design, Sixth Edition explores the world of engineering by introducing the reader to what engineers do, the fundamental principles that form the basis of their work, and how they apply that knowledge within a structured design process. The three-part organization of the text reinforces these areas, making this an ideal introduction for anyone interested in exploring the various fields of engineering and learning how engineers work to solve problems. This new edition has been revised with new mini-design projects, more content on ethics, and more examples throughout the text on the use of significant figures.
- Provides a multiple award-winning textbook that introduces students to the engineering profession, emphasizing the fundamental physical, chemical, and material bases for all engineering work
- Poses ethical challenges and explores decision-making in an engineering context
- Lists "Top Engineering Achievements" and "Top Engineering Challenges" to help put the material in context and show engineering as a vibrant discipline involved in solving societal problems
- Includes a companion website with several drawing supplements, including "Free-hand Engineering Sketching," (detailed instructions on free-hand engineering sketching); "AutoCAD Introduction," (an introduction to the free AutoCAD drawing software); and "Design Projects," (freshman-level design projects that complement the "Hands-On" part of the textbook)
Freshman undergraduate students entering 4-year engineering programs, including those with declared or intended majors in all engineering areas such as mechanical, electrical, chemical, industrial, and civil engineering Freshman undergraduate students taking an Introduction to Engineering Course as a requirement for a technical degree or as an elective for science and technology requirements for other degree programs in liberal arts, business, life sciences, and so forth
- Title of Book
- Cover image
- Title page
- Table of Contents
- Physical Constants and Unit Conversion Factors
- Copyright
- Preface
- The structure of this text
- Key elements of this book
- Acknowledgments
- Part 1. Lead-on
- Part 1 Lead-on
- Chapter 1. What engineers do
- 1.1 Introduction
- 1.2 What is engineering?
- 1.3 What do engineers do?
- 1.4 Where do engineers work?
- 1.5 What is the difference between engineering and engineering technology?
- 1.6 What makes a “good” engineer?
- 1.7 Keys to success as an engineering student
- 1.8 Engineering is not an spectator sport
- Solution
- 1.8.1 Lead-on skills
- 1.8.1.1 Seven important lead-on leadership skills
- 1.9 Summary
- Chapter 2. Engineering ethics
- 2.1 Introduction
- 2.2 What are personal ethics
- 2.2.1 Five cornerstones of personal ethical behavior
- 2.2.2 Top ten questions you should ask yourself when making a personal ethical decision2
- 2.3 What are professional ethics?
- 2.3.1 National Society of Professional Engineers code of ethics for engineers
- 2.3.2 Fundamental canons4
- Solution
- 2.4 Engineering ethics decision matrix
- Solution
- 2.4.1 The ethics challenge featuring Dilbert and Dogbert
- 2.5 Summary
- Chapter 3. Elements of engineering analysis
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 Engineering drawing and sketching
- 3.2.1 Drawing scale and dimensioning
- 3.2.2 Computer-aided design software1
- 3.2.3 Engineering Sketches
- 3.3 Engineering variables
- 3.4 Engineering units of measurement
- 3.4.1 SI unit system
- 3.4.2 Unit names and abbreviations
- 3.5 Significant figures
- 3.5.1 Only apply the significant figures rule to your final answer
- 3.6 The “Need–Know–How–Solve” method
- 3.7 Spreadsheet analysis
- 3.7.1 Cell addressing modes
- 3.7.2 Graphing in spreadsheets
- 3.8 Computer programming with MATLAB
- 3.8.1 Representation of numbers
- 3.8.2 Variables, vectors, and arrays
- 3.8.3 Equations
- 3.8.4 Running the code in MATLAB
- 3.8.5 Functions
- 3.8.6 Control statements
- 3.9 The Engineering Equation Solver
- 3.3 Summary
- Chapter 4. Force and motion
- 4.1 Introduction
- 4.2 What is a force?
- 4.3 Newton’s first law (statics)
- 4.4 Newton’s second law (dynamics)
- 4.5 Newton’s third law
- 4.6 Free-body diagrams
- 4.6.1 Static equilibrium
- 4.6.2 Dynamic equilibrium
- 4.7 What is kinematics?
- 4.7.1 Distance, speed, and acceleration
- 4.7.2 The speed versus time diagram
- 4.8 Summary
- Chapter 5. Energy
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 Energy has the capacity to do work
- 5.3 Different kinds of energy
- 5.4 Energy conversion
- 5.5 Conservation of energy
- Summary
- Chapter 6. Engineering economics
- 6.1 Introduction
- 6.2 Why is economics important?
- 6.3 The cost of money
- 6.4 When is an investment worth it?
- Summary
- Part 2. Lead-on
- Part 2 Minds-on
- Chapter 7. Aeronautical engineering
- 7.1 Introduction
- 7.2 Airfoils and lift
- 7.3 The algebra of imaginary numbers
- 7.4 Conformal mapping
- 7.5 The Joukowski airfoil theory
- 7.6 The Kutta correction
- 7.7 Symmetric airfoils
- 7.7.1 The angle of attack
- 7.8 Major factors in aircraft economy
- Summary
- Chapter 8. Chemical engineering
- 8.1 Introduction
- 8.2 Chemical energy conversion
- 8.3 Atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions
- 8.4 The mol
- 8.5 Stoichiometry
- 8.5.1 The air-to-fuel ratio
- 8.6 Heating value of hydrocarbon fuels
- 8.7 Chemical engineering: How do you make chemical fuels?
- 8.7.1 Process engineering
- 8.7.1.1 Distillation
- 8.8 Modern chemical engineering
- 8.9 Summary
- Chapter 9. Civil engineering
- 9.1 Introduction
- 9.2 What do civil engineers do?
- 9.3 Structural engineering
- 9.3.1 Truss structures and the method of joints
- 9.3.2 Example using the method of joints
- 9.3.3 Solution of the equations using excel
- 9.4 Geotechnical engineering
- 9.4.1 Properties of soils
- 9.4.2 Effective stress principle
- 9.5 Water resources engineering
- 9.5.1 Reservoir capacity
- 9.5.2 Conservation of mass
- 9.5.3 Estimation of required capacity and yield
- 9.6 Transportation engineering
- 9.6.1 Highway capacity
- 9.6.2 Follow rule for estimating highway capacity
- 9.7 Summary
- Chapter 10. Computer engineering
- 10.1 Introduction
- 10.2 Moore’s law
- 10.3 Analog computers
- 10.4 From analog to digital computing
- 10.5 Binary logic
- Case 1:
- Case 2:
- 10.6 Truth tables
- 10.7 Decimal and binary numbers
- 10.8 Binary arithmetic
- 10.8.1 Rules of binary subtraction
- 10.8.2 Rules for binary multiplication
- 10.8.3 Rules for binary division
- 10.9 Binary codes
- 10.10 How does a computer work?
- 10.11 Computer security
- 10.12 Summary
- Chapter 11. Electrical engineering
- 11.1 Introduction
- 11.2 Electrical circuits
- 11.3 Resistance, Ohm's law, and the “power law”
- 11.4 Series and parallel circuits
- 11.5 Kirchhoff’s laws
- 11.5.1 Kirchhoff's voltage law
- 11.5.1.1 Voltage dividers
- 11.5.2 Kirchhoff's Current Law
- 11.5.2.1 Current dividers
- 11.6 Switches
- 11.7 Summary
- Chapter 12. Industrial engineering
- 12.1 Introduction
- 12.2 Manufacturing and quality control
- 12.2.1 Statistical analysis
- 12.2.2 Probability theory
- 12.2.2.1 Probability addition
- 12.2.2.2 Probability multiplication
- 12.2.3 Reliability analysis
- 12.2.4 Calculating system MTTFs
- 12.2.5 Design of experiments
- 12.3 Methods engineering
- 12.4 Simulation analysis and operation research
- 12.5 Ergonomics
- 12.5.1 Occupational ergonomics
- 12.5.2 Cognitive ergonomics
- 12.6 Material handling
- 12.7 Summary
- Chapter 13. Manufacturing engineering
- 13.1 Introduction
- 13.2 What is manufacturing?
- 13.3 Early manufacturing
- 13.4 Industrial revolution
- 13.5 Manufacturing processes
- 13.5.1 Subtractive processes
- 13.5.1.1 Turning
- 13.5.1.2 Drilling
- 13.5.1.3 Milling
- 13.5.2 Additive processes
- 13.5.3 Continuous processes
- 13.5.4 Net shape processes
- 13.6 Modern manufacturing
- 13.6.1 Just-in-time manufacturing
- 13.6.2 Flexible manufacturing
- 13.6.3 Lean manufacturing
- 13.6.4 Life cycle manufacturing
- 13.7 Variability and six sigma
- 13.8 Summary
- Chapter 14. Materials engineering
- 14.1 Introduction
- 14.2 Choosing the right material
- 14.3 Strength
- 14.4 Defining materials requirements
- 14.5 Materials selection
- 14.6 Properties of modern materials
- 14.7 Summary
- Chapter 15. Mechanical engineering
- 15.1 Introduction
- 15.2 Mechanical engineering
- 15.2.1 Thermal design
- 15.2.2 Machine design
- 15.3 The elements of thermal design
- 15.3.1 Heat transfer
- 15.3.1.1 Thermal conduction
- 15.3.1.2 Thermal convection
- 15.3.1.3 Thermal radiation
- 15.3.2 Fluid mechanics
- 15.3.2.1 Fluid statics
- 15.3.2.2 Fluid dynamics
- 15.3.3 Thermodynamics
- 15.3.3.1 Thermodynamic system
- 15.3.3.2 The first law of thermodynamics
- 15.4 The elements of machine design
- 15.4.1 Mechanical behavior
- 15.4.2 Machine elements
- 15.4.3 Manufacturing processes
- 15.5 Summary
- Chapter 16. Nuclear engineering
- 16.1 Introduction
- 16.1.1 Nuclear fission
- 16.1.2 Nuclear energy
- 16.2 Nuclear power reactors
- 16.3 Neutron moderation
- 16.4 How does a nuclear reactor work?
- 16.4.1 Fissile nuclei
- 16.4.2 Fertile nuclei
- 16.5 The four factor formula
- 16.6 Fission products and nuclear waste
- 16.6.1 Nuclear waste, the Achilles Heel of nuclear power
- 16.6.2 Nuclear accidents
- 16.7 Is nuclear power a viable renewable energy source?
- 16.8 Summary
- Part 2.1. Interdisciplinary engineering fields
- Part 2.1 Interdisciplinary engineering fields
- Chapter 17. Bioengineering
- 17.1 Introduction
- 17.2 What do bioengineers do?
- 17.3 Biological implications of injuries to the head
- 17.4 Why collisions can kill
- 17.5 The fracture criterion
- 17.6 The stress-speed-stopping distance-area (SSSA)
- 17.7 Criteria for predicting effects of potential accidents
- 17.8 Healthcare engineering
- A case study in healthcare engineering44This case study is from University College London, see https://www.ucl.ac.uk/healthcare-engineering/case-studies/2018/sep/smart-prosthetic-liner-monitors-wearers-temperature-and-actively-cools
- 17.9 Summary
- Chapter 18. Electrochemical engineering
- 18.1 Introduction
- 18.2 Electrochemistry
- 18.3 Principles of electrochemical engineering
- 18.4 Lead-acid batteries
- 18.5 The Ragone chart
- 18.6 Electrochemical series
- 18.7 Advanced batteries
- 18.8 Fuel cells
- 18.8.1 Fuel cells using novel fuels
- 18.9 Ultracapacitors
- 18.10 Summary
- Chapter 19. Environmental engineering
- 19.1 Introduction
- 19.2 What do environmental engineers do?
- 19.3 How do we measure pollution?
- 19.3.1 Pollutants in water
- 19.3.2 Pollutants in soil
- 19.3.3 Pollutants in air
- 19.4 The Mass Balance Equation
- 19.5 Air quality and control
- 19.5.1 Air quality
- 19.5.2 Air pollution control
- 19.5.3 Global implications of air pollution3
- 19.6 Water quality and treatment
- 19.6.1 Water quality
- 19.6.2 Pretreatment of the water supply
- 19.6.3 Wastewater treatment
- 19.7 Solid waste management
- 19.8 Ethical considerations
- Summary
- Chapter 20. Green energy engineering
- 20.1 Introduction
- 20.2 Solar energy
- 20.2.1 Photovoltaic power
- 20.2.2 Solar thermal power plants
- 20.2.3 Solar thermal heating
- 20.2.4 Windmills
- 20.2.5 Hydropower
- 20.3 Other green energy source
- 20.4 Sustainable engineering
- 20.4.1 Life cycle analysis
- 20.4.2 Recycling
- Summary
- Chapter 21. Mechatronics and physical computing∗
- 21.1 Introduction
- 21.2 Physical computing
- 21.2.1 Actuators
- 21.2.2 Sensors
- 21.2.2.1 Temperature sensor
- 21.2.2.2 Proximity sensors
- 21.2.2.3 Infrared sensors3
- 21.2.2.4 Ultrasonic sensor
- 21.3 Microcontrollers and Arduino
- 21.3.1 What is Arduino?
- 21.3.2 The basic structure of an Arduino program (called a “sketch”)
- 21.3.3 Variables and storing information
- 21.4 Basic communication for microcontrollers
- 21.4.1 Digital input–output
- 21.4.2 Serial communication
- 21.4.3 The serial monitor
- 21.4.4 Analog-to-digital and digital-to-analog conversion
- 21.5 Interfacing sensors and actuators
- 21.5.1 Buttons and switches
- 21.5.2 Passive sensors
- 21.5.3 Active sensors
- 21.5.4 More complex output devices
- 21.5.5 Controlling higher power actuators
- 21.6 Summary
- Part 3. Hands-on
- Part 3 Hands-on
- Chapter 22. Introduction to engineering design
- 22.1 Introduction
- 22.2 Nature of engineering design
- 22.3 Design problems versus homework problems
- 22.4 Benefits of a hands-on design project
- 22.5 Qualities of a good designer
- 22.6 Using a design notebook
- 22.7 The need for a systematic approach
- 22.8 Steps in the engineering design process
- 22.9 Hands-on design exercise: “The tower”
- 22.9.1 Setup
- 22.9.2 Rules
- 22.9.3 Scoring
- 22.9.4 After the exercise
- Chapter 23. Design teams
- 23.1 Introduction
- 23.2 How to manage a design team project
- 23.2.1 Gantt and PERT charts
- Solution
- 23.3 Effective teaming
- 23.3.1 How to write a good memo
- 23.3.2 Team building
- 23.3.3 Communication exercise
- 23.3.4 Problem-solving exercise
- 23.3.5 Planning exercise
- 23.3.6 Team leadership
- 23.3.7 Team assessment, feedback, and risks
- Chapter 24. Design step 1: Defining the problem
- 24.1 Introduction
- 24.2 Identifying the need
- 24.3 Defining the problem
- 24.4 List of design specifications
- Demand (D) specification
- Performance
- Geometry
- Materials
- Time
- Cost
- Manufacture
- Standards
- Safety
- Transport
- 24.5 Design milestone #1: Defining the problem
- 24.5.1 For a general design project
- 24.5.2 For design competitions
- Chapter 25. Design step 2: Generation of alternative concepts
- 25.1 Introduction
- 25.2 Brainstorming
- 25.2.1 Mind Mapping
- 25.2.2 Ideation
- 25.3 Concept sketching
- 25.4 Hands-on design exercise: “The tube”
- 25.4.1 Setup
- 25.4.2 Rules
- 25.4.3 Procedure
- 25.5 Research-based strategies for promoting creativity
- 25.5.1 Analogies
- 25.5.2 Reverse engineering
- 25.5.3 Literature search
- 25.6 Functional decomposition for complex systems
- 25.6.1 Step 1: Decompose the design objective into a series of functions
- 25.6.2 Step 2: Brainstorm on alternative concepts for each function and assemble the results in a classification scheme
- 25.6.3 Step 3: Combine function concepts to form alternative design concepts
- 25.6.4 Step 4: Sketch each of the most promising combinations
- 25.7 Design milestone #2: Generation of alternative concepts
- Brainstorming
- Concept sketching
- Functional decomposition
- Chapter 26. Design step 3: Evaluation of alternatives and selection of a concept
- 26.1 Introduction
- 26.2 Minimize the information content of the design
- 26.3 Maintain the independence of functional requirements
- Solution
- Water cannon design
- Twin boat design
- Final note
- 26.4 Design for ease of manufacture
- 26.5 Design for robustness
- Manufacturing errors
- Environmental changes
- Internal wear
- 26.6 Design for adjustability
- Solution
- 26.7 Hands-on design exercise: “Waste ball”
- 26.7.1 Scenario
- 26.7.2 Design objective
- 26.7.3 Setup
- 26.7.4 Rules
- 26.7.5 After the exercise
- 26.8 The decision matrix
- 26.8.1 Evaluation criteria
- 26.8.2 Procedure for filling out a decision matrix
- 26.8.3 Additional tips on using decision matrices
- 1 Drives well
- 2 Putts well
- 3 Loader is robust
- 4 Easy to transport
- 5 Easy to manufacture
- 6 Discussion of results
- 26.9 Design milestone #3: Evaluation of alternatives and selection of a concept
- Minimize design information content
- Functional requirement independence
- Design for ease of manufacturability and robustness
- Decision matrix
- Chapter 27. Design step 4: Detailed design
- 27.1 Introduction
- 27.2 Analysis
- 27.2.1 Selection of DC brushed motors
- 27.2.2 Common mechanical linkages
- 27.3 Mechanism control
- 27.3.1 DC brushed gear motors and batteries
- 27.3.2 Manual control of motor speed
- 27.3.3 Remote control of motor speed
- 27.3.4 Autonomous control of motor speed
- 27.3.5 Control of servo-actuated functions
- 27.4 Experiments
- Solution
- Sources of risk
- Proposed experiments
- 27.5 Models
- 27.6 Detailed drawings
- 27.7 Design milestone #4: Detailed design
- Analysis
- Experiments
- Models and drawings
- Chapter 28. Design step 5: Design defense
- 28.1 Introduction
- 28.2 How to prepare an oral defense
- 28.3 Design milestone #5: Oral design defense
- Preparing an oral defense
- Chapter 29. Design step 6: Manufacturing and testing
- 29.1 Introduction
- 29.2 Manufacturing and testing strategies
- 29.3 Materials
- 29.4 Joining methods
- 29.5 Useful hand tools
- 29.5.1 Tools for measuring
- 29.5.2 Tools for cutting and shaping
- 29.5.3 Tools for drilling holes
- 29.5.4 Tools for joining parts
- 29.5.5 Tools for wiring
- 29.6 Design milestone #6A: Manufacturing and testing assessment I
- Assignment
- Grading
- 29.7 Design milestone #6B: Manufacturing and testing assessment II
- Assignment
- Subfunction Test
- Grading
- Manufacturing and testing strategies
- Materials and joining methods
- Chapter 30. Design step 7: Performance evaluation
- 30.1 Introduction
- 30.2 Stage 1 performance evaluation tests
- 30.3 Design milestone #7: Stage 1 performance evaluation
- 30.4 Stage 2 performance evaluation—The final competition
- Chapter 31. Design step 8: Design report
- 31.1 Introduction
- 31.2 Organization of the report
- 31.3 Writing guidelines
- 31.4 Technical writing is “impersonal”
- 31.5 Design milestone #8: Design report
- Chapter 32. Examples of design competitions
- 32.1 Introduction
- 32.2 Design competition example 1: A Bridge Too Far
- 32.3 Some design milestone solutions for “A Bridge Too Far”
- 32.3.1 Design milestone #1: Clarification of the task
- 32.3.2 Design milestone #2: Generation of alternative concepts
- 32.3.3 Design milestone #3: Evaluation of alternative concepts
- 32.3.3.1 Discussion of results
- 32.3.4 Design milestone #4: Detailed design
- 32.3.4.1 Experiments
- 32.3.4.2 Analysis
- 32.3.4.3 Detailed drawing
- 32.4 Official rules for the “A Bridge Too Far” design competition
- 32.4.1 Objective
- 32.4.2 Constraints
- 32.4.3 The game
- 32.4.4 Scoring
- 32.4.5 Other rules
- 32.5 Design competition example 2: Mars Meteorite Retriever Challenge
- 32.6 Some design milestones for the “Mars Meteorite Retriever Challenge”
- 32.6.1 Design milestone #7: Performance evaluation
- 32.6.1.1 Grading
- 32.6.2 Design milestone #8: The design report
- 32.6.2.1 Purpose
- 32.6.2.2 Organization
- 32.6.2.3 Grading
- 32.6.2.4 Oral presentation
- 32.7 Official rules for the “Mars Meteorite Retriever Challenge” design competition
- 32.7.1 Objective
- 32.7.2 Constraints
- 32.7.3 Scoring
- 32.7.4 Rules
- 32.7.5 Additional supplies
- 32.8 Design competition example 3: Automatic Air Freshener
- 32.8.1 Design milestone #1: Defining the problem
- 32.8.2 Design milestone #2: Generation of alternative concepts
- 32.8.3 Design milestone #3: Evaluation of alternative concepts
- 32.8.4 Design milestone #4: Detailed design
- 32.8.4.1 Mechanical design
- 32.8.4.2 Electronics design with a microcontroller
- Chapter 33. Closing remarks on the important role of design projects in engineering education
- Index
- National Academy of Engineering
- Top 20 Engineering Achievements of the 20th Century
- National Academy of Engineering
- Challenges for the 21st Century
- Engineering Project Design Steps and Milestones
- No. of pages: 696
- Language: English
- Edition: 6
- Published: October 30, 2024
- Imprint: Academic Press
- Paperback ISBN: 9780443135415
- eBook ISBN: 9780443135422
RB
Robert Balmer
Dr. Robert Balmer has worked as an engineer at the Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory and at various DuPont facilities. He has over 40 years of engineering teaching experience and has authored 70 technical publications and the Elsevier undergraduate engineering textbook Modern Engineering Thermodynamics.
Affiliations and expertise
Mechanical Engineering Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; Dean Emeritus, Engineering and Computer Science, Union College, Schenectady NY, USAWK
William Keat
Dr. William Keat has been teaching design for 20 years, in courses ranging from freshman engineering to a graduate course in design methodology. Has been awarded two Pi Tau Sigma Outstanding Teacher Awards and two first place finishes at the Mini-Baja East Competition while serving as an advisor.
Affiliations and expertise
Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Union College, Mechanical Engineering Department, Schenectady, USA