Advance your engineering skills and become a capable, confident problem solver by learning the wide array of tools, processes, and tactics employed in the field. Going far beyond "plug-and-chug" solutions, this multidisciplinary guide explains the underlying scientific principles, provides detailed engineering analysis, and lays out versatile problem-solving methodologies.
Written by an "engineer who teaches," with more than 20 years of experience as a practicing engineer and numerous awards for teaching engineering, this straightforward, one-of-a-kind resource fills a long-vacant niche by identifying and teaching the procedures necessary to address and resolve any problem, regardless of its complexity. Engineering Problem-Solving 101: Time-Tested and Timeless Techniques contains more than 50 systematic approaches spanning all disciplines, logically organized into mathematical, physical/mechanical, visual, and conceptual categories. Strategies are reinforced with practical reference tables, technical illustrations, interesting photographs, and real-world examples.
Preface
Introduction
Chapter 1 : Engineers as Problem Solvers Chapter 2 : Problem Solving Skills versus Process versus Techniques
Part I : Mathematical Approaches to Problem-Solving
Chapter 3 : Using Equations (Plug-and-Chug) Chapter 4 : Approximating and Estimating Chapter 5 : Interpolating and Extrapolating Chapter 6 : Checking Chapter 7 : Dimensional Analysis and Reconciling Units Chapter 8 : Using Similarity and Ratios Chapter 9 : Using Indexes or Indices Chapter 10 : Scaling Chapter 11 : Sensitivity Analysis (of Parameters) Chapter 12 : Response Curves and Surfaces Chapter 13 : Numerical Analysis & Methods Chapter 14 : Dimensionless Quantities or Parameters Chapter 15 : Assumptions, Constraints, Conditions, and Cases
Part II : Physical/Mechanical Approaches to Problem-Solving
Chapter 16 : Reverse Engineering Chapter 17 : Material Property Correlations Chapter 18 : Proof-of-Concept Models Chapter 19 : Experimental Models and Model Experiments Chapter 20 : Test Models and Model Testing Chapter 21 : Mock-ups and Masters Chapter 22 : Prototypes and Rapid Prototyping Chapter 23 : Trial and Error
Part III : Visual, Graphic, or Iconic Approaches to Problem-Solving
Chapter 24 : Sketching and Rendering Chapter 25 : Tracings and Transfers, Lofting and Lines-taking Chapter 26 : Graphing and Graphical Methods Chapter 27 : Layouts Chapter 28 : Flow Diagrams or Flowcharts Chapter 29 : Causal Diagrams or Cause-and-Effect Diagrams Chapter 30 : Decision Trees
Part IV : Conceptual or Abstract Approaches to Problem-Solving
Chapter 31 : Brainstorming : Process, Methodology and Techniques Chapter 32 : Using Analogs Chapter 33 : Dissecting Problems: Decoupling and Coupling, Zooming In and Zooming Out Chapter 34 : Working Problems Backwards and Inverse Problems Chapter 35 : Functional Analysis & Black Boxes Chapter 36 : Morphological Analysis and Morphological Charts Chapter 37 : Storyboarding Chapter 38 : Iteration and Iterative Design Process
