Page 12 - Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations, Second Edition

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HOW TO USE THIS HANDBOOK

There are two ways to enter this handbook to obtain the maximum benefit from the time invested. The first
entry is through the index; the second is through the table of contents of the section covering the discipline, or
related discipline, concerned. Each method is discussed in detail below.
Index. Great care and considerable time were expended on preparation of the index of this handbook so
that it would be of maximum use to every reader. As a general guide, enter the index using the generic term
for the type of calculation procedure being considered. Thus, for the design of a beam, enter at beam(s). From
here, progress to the specific type of beam being considered—such as continuous, of steel. Once the page
number or numbers of the appropriate calculation procedure are determined, turn to them to find the
step-by-step instructions and worked-out example that can be followed to solve the problem quickly and
accurately.
Contents. The contents at the beginning of each section lists the titles of the calculation procedures
contained in that section. Where extensive use of any section is contemplated, the editor suggests that the
reader might benefit from an occasional glance at the table of contents of that section. Such a glance will give
the user of this handbook an understanding of the breadth and coverage of a given section, or a series of
sections. Then, when he or she turns to this handbook for assistance, the reader will be able more rapidly to
find the calculation procedure he or she seeks.
Calculation Procedures. Each calculation procedure is a unit in itself. However, any given calculation
procedure will contain subprocedures that might be useful to the reader. Thus, a calculation procedure on
pump selection will contain subprocedures on pipe friction loss, pump static and dynamic heads, etc. Should
the reader of this handbook wish to make a computation using any of such subprocedures, he or she will find
the worked-out steps that are presented both useful and precise. Hence, the handbook contains numerous
valuable procedures that are useful in solving a variety of applied civil engineering problems.
One other important point that should be noted about the calculation procedures presented in this handbook
is that many of the calculation procedures are equally applicable in a variety of disciplines. Thus, a
beam-selection procedure can be used for civil-, chemical-, mechanical-, electrical-, and nuclear-engineering
activities, as well as some others. Hence, the reader might consider a temporary neutrality for his or her
particular specialty when using the handbook because the calculation procedures are designed for universal
use.
Any of the calculation procedures presented can be programmed on a computer. Such programming permits
rapid solution of a variety of design problems. With the growing use of low-cost time sharing, more
engineering design problems are being solved using a remote terminal in the engineering office. The editor
hopes that engineers throughout the world will make greater use of work stations and portable computers in
solving applied engineering problems. This modern equipment promises greater speed and accuracy for nearly
all the complex design problems that must be solved in today’s world of engineering.
To make the calculation procedures more amenable to computer solution (while maintaining ease of
solution with a handheld calculator), a number of the algorithms in the