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This clear, comprehensive presentation discusses both the theory and applications of mechanics of materials. It examines the physical behavior of materials under load, then proceeds to model this behavior to development theory. Containing Hibbeler’s hallmark student-oriented features, this book is in four-color with a photorealistic art program designed to help students/readers visualize difficult concepts. A clear, concise writing style and more examples than any other book further contribute to students’ /readers ability to master the material. A useful, thorough reference for engineers and students.

Average Customer Rating:

good sale	Customer Rating:
though it took most of the estimated ship time to arrive, the book was in fine condition

Good starting point, not always a good reference (4th ed.)

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While I searched for the 4th ed., I could not find it on Amazon, so I am attaching this review to the 5th. This review is written specifically regarding the 4th. edition of this text, so I am hoping that some of these deficiencies have been corrected in the newer editions of the book. I do not expect any major differences between 5th and 4th, which is why I justify placing this review here. I used this book when I was a student (about 8 years ago) and I've kept it as a reference text. I use it in my profession fairly often, where I must occassionally consider load on a structure in the process of solving a failure or a defect mechanism. Inevitably I must turn to finite element analysis, but I turn to this book for back of the envelope calculations. Ironically, I have delved into this book most during the construction of my garage. As I was building it, I referred to this book to calculate maximum deflection of Hem-Fir 2x10's spanning the ceiling (and attic floor) of my garage. I wanted to ensure that I had accounted for strength and adequate handling of any load I may introduce when storing items in the attic. I was irritated to find that I had to search all over the book for the simplest of load calculations, such as a single point central load on a beam wtih a rectangular cross section fixed at both ends. Most examples have a supported end and a fixed end. I then wanted to find an example of a simple beam deflection calculation with a reinforced center section (such as when two joists are sistered against one another). I also could not find examples of beams coupled, such as when one adds perpendicular blocking sections between floor joists to distribute load and add reinforcement. At other times I have been irritated by similar issues. Everyday objects tend to have simple, symmetric geometries, such as a beam fixed and both ends with a single point central load, or a hollow pipe with fixed ends with a distributed load over its center, or a tube capped at both ends with a static internal pressure. Looking to this book as a reference, I am hoping for loads on basic geometries outlined as an example, though I rarely find them and I turn to the web instead (which is usually equally disappointing). The book also lacks information about composite materials where the modulus may vary as a function of thickness or length. A few examples of the simplest geometries would have been helpful. Perhaps this has been addressed in later additions, but materials are advancing and I hope that the textbooks are keeping up. After writing this review, it is my intention to identify and purchase a better reference text for my purposes.

BLess his Heart	Customer Rating:
Hibbeler is probably the most reliable author when it comes to Mechanics of Materials. A must have for Mechancial, Environmental, Civil and Materials Engineers. Explains everything in the easiest and most practical matter, without skipping anything of value.

Best textbook I've ever had	Customer Rating:
Simple, concise, great examples, great illustrations, great problems. The style is: present a topic briefly, derive equation(s) quickly, show 3-4 examples of using said equation(s), give a couple dozen problems, and move right on to the next topic. Thanks Mr. Hibbeler, for making engineering students' lives just a bit easier.

a first course in mechanics

Customer Rating:

Hibbeler offers an undergraduate text for the mechanical engineering student. The materials studied are solids, not fluids. The discussion starts with the simplest case of treating the bodies as totally rigid. Then we see a development of Newtonian mechanics, commencing with statics. No net velocities, in some obvious reference frame. But even in this simple case, Hibbeler shows the student how to find the balance of forces in such archetypal instances as beams. Later, he talks about how solids can to varying extents resist stresses. Be these longitudinal or torsional stresses. The resultant stress-strain relationships are a fundamental concept in mechanics, and the student should be able to follow the treatment quite adequately.