Engineering Problem-Solving 101: Time-Tested and Timeless Techniques Time-Tested and Timeless Techniques

by Messler, Robert

• ISBN13: 9780071799966
• ISBN10: 0071799966
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-10-03
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Education

Summary

This one-of-a-kind guide on HOW to solve real-world engineering problems is an ideal supplemental text for all engineering students. Engineering Problem-Solving 101focuses on actual problem-solving techniques used by engineers in practice, not in theory. It identifies, describes, discusses, and presents illustrative examples of the use of the wide variety of tested techniques real-world engineers have employed in practice for centuries. Typically, students are immersed in problems with no prior training in problem-solving. Many never learn though and fail or bail out of engineering. Others never recognize precisely what it was that they did to arrive at a solution to a problem. This book presents the techniques by which problems in engineering are solved, as opposed to the subject-specific areas other books teach. A must-read or primer for every student entering an engineering program, all of which require a dozen or more courses that necessitate problem-solving Comprehensive more than 50 time-tested techniques Divided into mathematical, mechanical/hands-on, visual, and abstract conceptual techniques Every technique is exemplified by an illustrative example

Table of Contents

Introduction
Ch 1. Engineers as Problem Solvers
Ch 2. Problem Solving Skills vs. Process vs. Techniques
Part I – Mathematical Approaches to Problem-Solving
Ch 3. Using Equations(“Plug and Chug”)
Ch 4. Approximating and Estimating
Ch 5. Interpolating and Extrapolating
Ch 6. Checking
Ch 7. Dimensional Analysis and Reconciling Units
Ch 8. Using Similarity and Ratios
Ch 9. Using Indexes or Indices
Ch 10. Scaling
Ch 11. Sensitivity Analysis (of Parameters)
Ch 12. Response Curves and Surfaces
Ch 13. Numerical Analysis & Methods
Ch 14. Dimensionless Quantities or Parameters
Ch 15. Assumptions, Constraints, Conditions, and Cases

Part II – Physical/Mechanical Approaches to Problem-Solving
Ch 16. Reverse Engineering
Ch 17. Material Property Correlations
Ch 18. Proof of Concept Models
Ch 19. Experimental Models and Model Experiments
Ch 20. Test Models and Model Testing
Ch 21. Mockups and Masters
Ch 22. Prototypes and Rapid Prototyping
Ch 23. Trial and Error

Part III – Visual, Graphic, or Iconic Approaches to Problem-Solving
Ch 24. Sketching and Rendering
Ch 25. Tracings and Transfers, Lofting and Lines-taking
Ch 26. Graphing and Graphical Methods
Ch 27. Layouts
Ch 28. Flow Diagrams or Flowcharts
Ch 29. Causal Diagrams (Fishbone or Ishikawa Diagrams)
Ch 30. Decision Trees

Part IV – Conceptual or Abstract Approaches to Problem-Solving
Ch 31. Brainstorming Process, Methodology and Techniques
Ch 32. Using Analogs
Ch 33. Dissecting Problems: Decoupling and Coupling, Zooming In and Zooming Out
Ch 34. Working Problems Backwards and Inverse Problems
Ch 35.FunctionalAnalysis&Black Boxes
Ch 36. Morphological Analysis and Morphological Charts
Ch 37. Storyboarding
Ch 38. Iteration and Iterative Design Process