Introduction to Solid and Structural Mechanics: Volume 1

This text presents introductory material relevant to subject areas, strength of materials, structural mechanics and stress analysis for engineers at an undergraduate level. The test is well written in clear concise English, with theory interposed by worked examples to assist the learner internalise the concepts presented. Each chapter starts with a brief introduction and is followed by introductory questions to give the reader an insight into the ensuing material. The text ends with a final chapter that starts with solutions to the introductory questions and then terminates with a good number of questions and answers. The text is written on the basis of class lectures offered to first year students undertaking degree courses in Mechanical Engineering and Agricultural Engineering at university between the years 1992 - 1996, and 2003 - 2005 at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Kenya and is, therefore, expected to serve first year students in these two disciplines well. It is a good text for self reading by students but can also be used by lecturers to prepare lectures in the various topics covered in it.