Review of Mechanics of Composite Materials (Hardcover)

As a practicing engineer, I was refreshed to find such a well-organized, no-fluff reference on laminated composites.The examples are presented in a concise, piecemeal fashion; they are worked start-to-finish, right down to the algebra in many cases.No insulting assumptions about your level of competence are to be found.

The section on design and analysis provides an excellent arrangement of fully-worked engineering problems ranging from filament-wound driveshafts and pressure vessels (to demonstrate mixed-loadcase scenarios) to weight and cost optimization strategies for those interested in comparing composites to isotropic materials like steel and aluminum.

While the book provides an excellent overview of classical laminated plate theory, the one thing I found to be in want of was a proper section on the analysis of plates and shells.For that, the mathematically inclined reader is directed to J.N. Reddy's authoritative treatise on composites titled Mechanics of Laminated Composite Plates and Shells.

That is not to say that Mr. Kaw's title is in any way inferior to Reddy's work.It's rather like comparing apples to oranges; as such, to pit the two works against one another is inappropriate.On the one hand, Kaw provides a very digestable (and long overdue) introduction to composite materials, going into great detail about the terminology, sign conventions, coordinate systems, and mechanical behavior of composites without becoming long-winded or mathematically convoluted.Reddy picks up where Kaw leaves off, introducing variational methods like the Rayleigh-Ritz method, as well as energy principles from the likes of Galerkin.From there, the reader is presented with a rich array of analytical and numerical methods of finding stresses and strains under various types of loading and boundary conditions (which is what the practicing engineer is ultimately looking for).

What Reddy's work does for layerwise and shear-deformable theories of plates and shells, Kaw has done for the classical description of laminated composites.Mechanics of Composite Materials effectively bridges the gap between the outdated books of yesterday, and the technical articles that belong in academic journals.I can wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a proper introduction to the design and analysis of composites, while still being extremely accessible to the undergraduate.

Product Description
Today's composite materials often outshine traditional materials; they are lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong. Used in everything from aircraft structures to golf clubs, and serving industries from medicine to space exploration, composites are an exciting field of study for students, engineers, and researchers around the world. New applications ofthese versatile materials are being found daily.This innovative book provides a complete introduction to the mechanical behavior of composites. Geared to upper-level and graduate students, or practicing engineers and scientists interested in updating their knowledge, Mechanics of Composite Materials is a new approach to the topic. Unlike old-style texts, this book introduces the basics of composites through frequently asked questions the author answers from his considerable experience as a professor and researcher in the field. The text is supplemented by user-friendly PROMAL software, which allows readers to conduct studies, compare theories, design structures, and quickly access the information in tables and graphs. Richly illustrated and filled with problems, reviews, and examples, this is an excellent assessment of an exciting field.

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Review of Mastering Digital SLR Photography (Paperback)

It's about time we had a book of techniques for using digital single lens reflex cameras.For a long time, only the pro photographers could afford a digital single lens reflex, and they mostly already knew everything they needed to about photography. But now that the Canon Digital Rebel is available for less than $1000, and the Nikon D70 costs only a few hundred dollars more, there are millions of serious amateur photographers who are moving up to a digital SLR and who need some tips on how to use them.

For example, I was completely in the dark about some funny spots on my photos, and I learned from this book that they are dust on the sensor and how to remove them.I also wondered about sports photography because shutter lag with my old Minolta digital camera made shooting action almost impossible.I got some great tips about action photography from this book and have already taken some great pictures at my son's basketball games.

I like that this book is aimed at the SLR owner, who is likely to be very serious about photography.It offers lots of tips and tricks that go beyond the mundane and show you how to use a digital SLR to take better pictures. Although the explanations are not complicated, the author goes into lots of depth, making this book very comprehensive.I purchased his previous book on Mastering Digital Photography, and found that this one had not much overlap, so I could enjoy both.It covers the topics with more of an SLR slant.

SLR photographers who are shooting digital must have this book to learn how to get the most from their cameras, and to pick up some valuable photography advice. I recommended it highly.

Product Description
Are you ready to use the new breed of digital SLR to go beyond point-and-click snapshooting and explore what it has to offer the world of photography? If you have already conquered most of a digital camera's basic capabilities and now wonder what to do with the enhanced features found in digital SLR cameras, this is a dream guide to pixel proficiency. Mastering Digital SLR Photography, Second Edition includes extensive updates that cover the vast improvements in technology in the last 2-3 years, including new camera models, raised bar on resolution, vibration reduction, new kinds of lenses, and more. It goes beyond the standard coverage offered in most general camera books, covering features and techniques specific to digital SLR photography. From initial discussions on hardware selection to professional-level tips and techniques for sports and action shots, this is the comprehensive guide that any photographer needs for refining their digital SLR skills.

About the Author
With more than a million books in print, David D. Busch is a best-selling author of books on digital photography and imaging technology, and the originator of popular series like "David Busch's Pro Secrets" and "David Busch's Quick Snap Guides." He has written six hugely successful guidebooks for Nikon digital SLR models, and the most comprehensive manuals for dSLRs from Canon, Sony, and other vendors.His many other books devoted to digital photography include "David Busch's Digital Infrared Pro Secrets" and "Mastering Digital SLR Photography."As a roving photojournalist for more than 20 years, he has illustrated his books, magazine articles, and newspaper reports with award-winning images. Busch has operated his own commercial studio, suffocated in formal dress while shooting weddings-for-hire, and shot sports for a daily newspaper and upstate New York college.His photographs and articles have been published in magazines as diverse as "PhotoGraphic," "Popular Photograph & Imaging," "The Rangefinder," and hundreds of other publications.He's also reviewed digital cameras for CNet Networks and Computer Shopper.

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