A Web Based Electronic Book (Ebook) For Solid Mechanics
Kurt Gramoll
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.