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A Web-based Electronic Book (eBook) for Solid Mechanics

Abstract

The use of electronic media has been widely recognized as an effective and efficient tool in delivering course materials. Through electronic media, interactive and visual appealing media such as texts, animations, graphics, simulations and sounds can be incorporated in the illustrations of engineering theories and concepts. The motivation of developing such media is to promote students’ interest in engineering education and perhaps have a positive impact on the quality of education. This paper presents an eBook in solid mechanics that is delivered via the web (www.ecourses.ou.edu). The online eBook is intended to cover materials for a typical introductory solid mechanics (i.e. mechanics of materials or strength of materials) course. It can be used as a stand-alone tool for distance learning or as a supplementary material for traditional classes. In addition, this eBook is designed and developed such that it could be a just-in-time learning tool for students and engineers who would like to learn or review a specific topic in solid mechanics. The mechanics eBook has been used in actual courses as the primary text for the course and has been reviewed by several engineering professionals. The eBook is an on going development and new sections are being added as needed.

The solid mechanics eBook currently consists of over 30 modules. Each module is further divided into parts that include case introduction, theory, case solution, examples and simulation. A concerted effort has been invested in relating the theory to real world engineering applications through the case studies. Applications from different disciplines (e.g., daily experiences, mechanical, aerospace, and civil engineering applications) are included. The design approach of this eBook is to capture students’ interest by first presenting a case study. The theories and concepts necessary for the students to solve the specific case study are then covered, and followed by a complete solution for the case study. Some additional examples are also provided for some sections. The material of this eBook is open for any institution or student to use without cost or condition.

I. Introduction

Electronic media has been widely used in education, particularly in the discipline of engineering where complex and abstract mathematical model or theory can be easily visualized through the use of appealing media such as texts, animations, graphics, simulations and sounds. As such, more educators are now incorporating electronic media in their teaching. However, one obstacle in implementing electronic media for traditional engineering courses is the scarcity of robust and complete solid mechanics course material on the Internet.

Some of the web-based course modules presently available on the web and readily for others to use include prerequisite engineering courses such as Statics1, Dynamics2, Thermodynamics3-4, and Fluids5. The trend in utilizing interactive and electronic media in presenting engineering principles has been increasing over the past few years as well. Just to name a few, interactive

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Gramoll, K. (2007, June), A Web Based Electronic Book (Ebook) For Solid Mechanics Paper presented at 2007 Annual Conference & Exposition, Honolulu, Hawaii. 10.18260/1-2--1914