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$199.00
1. Civil Engineering Reference Manual
$16.44
2. The New Penguin Dictionary of
$62.00
3. Practice Problems for the Civil
$36.97
4. Civil Engineering Formulas
$53.00
5. Probability Concepts in Engineering:
$96.19
6. Handbook of Civil Engineering
$51.99
7. Structural Reliability Analysis
$5.97
8. Engineering the City: How Infrastructure
$104.31
9. The Wiley Dictionary of Civil
 
$250.20
10. Civil Engineering Reference Manual;
$16.05
11. Structural Engineering Formulas
$50.00
12. Civil Discipline-Specific Review
$50.92
13. Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental
$111.85
14. Recent Developments in Reliability-based
$114.65
15. Civil Engineering Materials (2nd
$59.09
16. Dictionary Of Civil Engineering
$163.72
17. Dictionary of Civil Engineering
$165.74
18. The Civil Engineering Handbook,
$79.96
19. Water Resources Engineering
$52.00
20. Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering

1. Civil Engineering Reference Manual for the PE Exam
by MichaelR. Lindeburg PE
Hardcover: 1456 Pages (2008-02-25)
-- used & new: US$199.00
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1591261295
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan
Editorial Review

Product Description

Now with coverage of the new Construction Engineering Topics. Updated to cover the new Transportation and Structural codes.

As the most comprehensive reference and study guide available for engineers preparing for the morning and afternoon topics on the Civil PE exam, the 11th edition of the Civil Engineering Reference Manual provides a concentrated review of the exam topics. No other exam-focused publication is more complete.

The Most Trusted Reference for the Civil PE Exam is also the Most Up-To-Date

  • A complete introduction to the exam format and content
  • A suggested study schedule, plus tips for successful exam preparation
  • Nearly 500 solved example problems
  • Hundreds of key tables, charts, and figures at your fingertips
  • An easy-to-use index and full glossary for quick reference
  • Perfect for post-exam reference

What's New in the 11th Edition

  • 4 new construction engineering chapters
  • Over 35 updated chapters—including extensively revised structural and transportation chapters
  • 100 new equations
  • Over 300 new, easy-to-use index entries

Exam Topics Covered

  • Construction—New
  • Geotechnical—Updated
  • Structural—Updated
  • Transportation—Updated
  • Water Resources & Environmental—Updated

_____________________________

Since 1975 more than 2 million people preparing for their engineering, surveying, architecture, LEED®, interior design, and landscape architecture exams have entrusted their exam prep to PPI. For more information, visit us at www.ppi2pass.com.

 

... Read more

Customer Reviews (78)

5-0 out of 5 stars a must have
If you want to pass the PE, you absolutely want to acquire this book (and study of course)... the samples provided here are very similar to the real test; you just gotta haveit. Now, this is also a great reference for the everyday Engineer, I've used it several times after the test (3 years ago)

5-0 out of 5 stars Must have reference
This book is a must have for civil engineers.I wish I would have purchased a copy when I was an undergrad.I find myself reading and reviewing topics from it almost every night as if it were a bible.It also introduces you to other must have references.

1-0 out of 5 stars Never received my Order
Neither have i received my shipment nor my money back even after 45 days of order placement. This seller is worse of all.

5-0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference for PE Exam and Work
This is an excellent reference for the Civil PE exam, both morning and afternoon.I took the Construction afternoon session, and still used this book extensively.The index is great, and I recommend printing out a separate copy and putting it ina 3-ring binder.You can then have the index open and be flipping through the book at once.This book is fairly technical, and there are only limited examples throughout, so it is difficult to use to learn a new subject or concept (especially during the PE exam).The All-in-One PE Exam guide was a better reference for learning a new concept on the spot, as it is simpler and easier to read (although not as detailed and with an inferior index to the CERM).
Overall, I took the CERM, the All-in-One, the Rajapakse Construction Module (worthless), the NCEES problems and solutions, and about half of the listed Construction design standards (I wish that I had had them all).
I would rate this book as a must-buy and must-take for the PE Exam.

5-0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference for the PE exam
I have an older version of this reference manual, and it was extremely helpful for review and for taking with me to the PE exam.While it is not the only manual you may need for the exam, I found it extremely helpful for more than half of my PE exam, especially the problems that I was not familiar with because they were from disciplines outside of mine.I still needed the problem solutions books in a few instances, and needed my discipline specific references for the afternoon part of the exam, but the CE Reference Manual is definitely a must-have reference since it consolidates the information for quick look-up during the exam.It's pretty much an essential for the AM part of the exam. ... Read more


2. The New Penguin Dictionary of Civil Engineering
by David Blockley
Paperback: 560 Pages (2005-05-26)
list price: US$25.30 -- used & new: US$16.44
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0140515267
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Editorial Review

Product Description
This is a completely new and fully comprehensive edition aimed at anyone who has contact with the construction industry. Written in a simple, easily accessible fashion the book contains major features on sustainability and the environment, hazard, vulnerability and uncertainty management together with new categories on business and finance, sustainability, water and transport. This edition offers easy and extensive cross referencing and definitions designed to help students to learn and associate ideas making this the perfect guide for anyone interested in any aspect of civil engineering. ... Read more


3. Practice Problems for the Civil Engineering PE Exam: A Companion to the Civil Engineering Reference Manual
by MichaelR. Lindeburg PE
Paperback: 712 Pages (2008-02-29)
-- used & new: US$62.00
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1591261309
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description

175 new Construction Engineering problems

The best way to prepare for the civil PE exam is to solve problems, the more problems, the better. Practice Problems for the Civil Engineering PE Exam provides you with the problem-solving practice you need to successfully prepare for the morning and afternoon portions of the civil PE exam.

Build your confidence and improve your problem-solving skills More than 700 problems, similar in format and difficulty to the actual exam Coordinated with the chapters in the new edition of the Civil Engineering Reference Manual Step-by-step solutions explain how to reach the correct answer most efficiently Updated structural and transportation problems based on the new design standards

... Read more

Customer Reviews (28)

5-0 out of 5 stars Passed my PE, used this book
The questions in this guide are not like what you will see on the exam....this book is much more challenging.I think their goal was to cause you to be overprepared....which is hard for the PE.I strongly recommend this guide, do the practice problems, all of them.ALL OF THEM!!If you know this material, you'll make it through the breadth section of the exam just fine.The NCEES practice problems are good, do them as well, but you'll find that the NCEES questions are much easier.

3-0 out of 5 stars It's decent, but there's better options
The practice problems coordinate with the Lindeburg reference manual.So there is a lot of stuff in this book that is not tested material on the PE Exam.I also found that the construction area was severly lacking in content.Be careful when using this reference as some of the approaches to answering questions(specifically scheduling and geotech/earthwork) are excessively long and roundabout or just outright wrong.The suggested solutions are not always the quickest way to answer a problem leaving a lot of room for error.Just compare this to the NCEES (they write the PE exams after all) practice exam as well as the Peurifoy, Oberlender, and Hinze text books, and you will find that the Lindeberg contrasts to what is taught in these (which is what you should follow as they are referenced in the practice exam).

If you are contemplating using this book as your main study guide, don't.If you are using this to supplement the NCEES practice exam and the Six Minute Solutions workbooks, you will also find this lacking.Bottom line, this is an okay reference, but should not be on your list of essentials for studying for the exam.

5-0 out of 5 stars PE Review Material
One of the best reference materials for the Civil PE Exam.It is recommended by the test givers.

5-0 out of 5 stars Very good!
I used this to study for the April 2009 PE exam, and passed the first time!It covers so many subjects, many of them much more than you'll need for the exam.All the same, this is the best study guide / problems for the PE exam!

5-0 out of 5 stars Everyone needs one to take the PE I guess
It's a great bookof knowledge.However, I have the 7th edition as well and the only thing different is that there are no practice problems in the 11th edition at the end of the chapters.Maybe 2 or 3 sections have been added.There is one big Construction section added, but you could prolly get that info from a construction engineering manual.So - in closing you need a Lindeburg text.I'm not sure it has to be 11th edition. ... Read more


4. Civil Engineering Formulas
by Tyler Hicks
Hardcover: 416 Pages (2009-10-22)
list price: US$49.95 -- used & new: US$36.97
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0071614699
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description

Instant Access to Civil Engineering Formulas

Fully updated and packed with more than 500 new formulas, this book offers a single compilation of all essential civil engineering formulas and equations in one easy-to-use reference.Practical, accurate data is presented in USCS and SI units for maximum convenience.Follow the calculation procedures inside Civil Engineering Formulas, Second Edition, and get precise results with minimum time and effort.Each chapter is a quick reference to a well-defined topic, including:

  • Beams and girders
  • Columns
  • Piles and piling
  • Concrete structures
  • Timber engineering
  • Surveying
  • Soils and earthwork
  • Building structures
  • Bridges and suspension cables
  • Highways and roads
  • Hydraulics, drams, and waterworks
  • Power-generation wind turbines
  • Stormwater
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Reinforced concrete
  • Green buildings
  • Environmental protection
... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

4-0 out of 5 stars Includes Basics as Well as Relatively Arcane Topics
As with virtually every engineering handbook, this work includes familiar topics such as beam and column formulas, moments of inertia, etc. It has a section on timber engineering, which includes topics such as allowable stresses and adjustment factors, wood fasteners, etc.

The main emphasis in this handbook appears to be building-construction related. Information is presented on such topics as shear in buildings, stresses in thin shells, ponding of rainwater in roofs, water pressure, stability of slopes, vibration control in blasting, and much more.

3-0 out of 5 stars Not bad
The book gives large ammount of formulas to work with. However, users that are working with SI units must be aware that not all formulas are accurate. It is advisable to crossreference with other literature. ... Read more


5. Probability Concepts in Engineering: Emphasis on Applications to Civil and Environmental Engineering (v. 1)
by Alfredo H-S. Ang, Wilson H. Tang
Hardcover: 420 Pages (2006-03-03)
-- used & new: US$53.00
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 047172064X
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Apply the principles of probability and statistics to realistic engineering problems


The easiest and most effective way to learn the principles of probabilistic modeling and statistical inference is to apply those principles to a variety of applications. That's why Ang and Tang's Second Edition of Probability Concepts in Engineering (previously titled Probability Concepts in Engineering Planning and Design) explains concepts and methods using a wide range of problems related to engineering and the physical sciences, particularly civil and environmental engineering.


Now extensively revised with new illustrative problems and new and expanded topics, this Second Edition will help you develop a thorough understanding of probability and statistics and the ability to formulate and solve real-world problems in engineering. The authors present each basic principle using different examples, and give you the opportunity to enhance your understanding with practice problems. The text is ideally suited for students, as well as those wishing to learn and apply the principles and tools of statistics and probability through self-study.

Key Features in this 2nd Edition:
* A new chapter (Chapter 5) covers Computer-Based Numerical and Simulation Methods in Probability, to extend and expand the analytical methods to more complex engineering problems.
* New and expanded coverage includes distribution of extreme values (Chapter 3), the Anderson-Darling method for goodness-of-fit test (Chapter 6), hypothesis testing (Chapter 6), the determination of confidence intervals in linear regression (Chapter 8), and Bayesian regression and correlation analyses (Chapter 9).
* Many new exercise problems in each chapter help you develop a working knowledge of concepts and methods.
* Provides a wide variety of examples, including many new to this edition, to help you learn and understand specific concepts.
* Illustrates the formulation and solution of engineering-type probabilistic problems through computer-based methods, including developing computer codes using commercial software such as MATLAB and MATHCAD.
* Introduces and develops analytical probabilistic models and shows how to formulate engineering problems under uncertainty, and provides the fundamentals for quantitative risk assessment. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

5-0 out of 5 stars Exactly what I wanted
This product was described exactly as it was.Good delivery time.Good seller.

5-0 out of 5 stars Excellent book with real world examples
The authors use real world engineering examples to explain concept. This is an excellent book.

5-0 out of 5 stars A very good textbook for Structural reliability starters!
My Structural reliability course use this book as textbook. The author of this book is very famous in this field, and I think this book would be a very good choice to start your study on reliability.

5-0 out of 5 stars One of the most well written engineering texts
A great collection of both fundamental and advanced probability conceptsas applied to civil engineering design situations.This textbook was extremely useful during my undergraduate and graduate courses in probability as well as in more specialized courses in wind and seismic engineering.More importantly, I still find myself using this text now that I am out of college.

Wounderfully written textbook on a classic topic in engineering that will withstand the changes in technology and still prevail as some of the most important fundamentals in design methodology.

5-0 out of 5 stars Indispensable Reference
An indispensable reference book, it provides a great balance of theory, worked examples, and exercises that thoroughly explain basic concepts of probability and risk as encountered in Civil and Environmental Engineering. The first edition has been within arm's reach on my book shelf for 30 years. I wish all my engineering texts were so well written. ... Read more


6. Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations, Second Edition (Hands on)
by Tyler Hicks
Hardcover: 840 Pages (2007-05-02)
list price: US$150.00 -- used & new: US$96.19
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0071472932
Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description

Manage everyday calculations instantly and accurately-saving you time in the design, construction, and maintenance of all types of structures

Covering all aspects of civil engineering calculations in an easy-to-understand format, the new edition of the Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations is now revised and updated with over 500 key calculations that show you exactly how to compute the desired values for a particular design-going quickly from data to finished result.

Using both customary and SI units, this comprehensive engineer's must-have resource is exactly what you need to solve the civil engineering problems that come your way.From structural steel to reinforced concrete, from bridges and dams to highways and roads, Handbook of Civil Engineering Calculations, 2e, lets you handle all of these design calculations quickly-and more importantly, correctly.

NEW TO THIS EDITION:

  • Updated calculation procedures using the latest applicable design codes for everything-from structural steel to reinforced concrete, from water supply to highways, freeways, roads, and more
  • A wealth of new illustrated calculation procedures to provide better guidance for the design engineer
  • New civil-engineering data on “green” buildings and their design, better qualifying them for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) ratings

Inside This Cutting-Edge Engineering Calculations Guide-

Structural Steel Engineering and Design • Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete Engineering and Design • Timber Engineering • Soil Mechanics • Surveying, Route Design, and Highway Bridges • Fluid Mechanic, Pumps, Piping, and Hydro Power • Water Supply ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

5-0 out of 5 stars Calculations galore
Any engineering calculation can be found in this book. I am not an engineer but I bought it since I am a Land Surveyor and it has a chapter on Route surveying.

I am fully satisfied with my purchase and would recommend it to any person requiring these types of formula. Engineers, land surveyors, Architects, etc.

1-0 out of 5 stars HICKS: HANDBOOK CE CALCULATIONS
Text and contents good and useful -- however, printed on thick grey paper with stiff binding, book will not stay open (snaps shut unless held down) making book troublesome and near unusable.

4-0 out of 5 stars A useful tool for civil engineering designcalculations!
This is a very useful comprehensive reference covering all aspects ofcivil engineering calculations in an easy to understand format. There arenumerous solved problems to illustrate calculation procedure.

4-0 out of 5 stars A useful tool for civil engineering designcalculations!
This is a very useful comprehensive reference covering all aspects ofcivil engineering calculations in an easy to understand format. There arenumerous solved problems to illustrate calculation procedure. ... Read more


7. Structural Reliability Analysis and Prediction (Civil Engineering)
by Robert E. Melchers
Paperback: 456 Pages (1999-05-11)
list price: US$65.00 -- used & new: US$51.99
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0471987719
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Structural reliability has become a discipline of international interest, addressing issues such as the safety of buildings, bridges, towers and other structures. This book addresses the important issue of predicting the safety of structures at the design stage and also the safety of existing, perhaps deteriorating structures. Attention is focused on the development and definition of limit states such as serviceability and ultimate strength, the definition of failure and the various models which might be used to describe strength and loading.

Much consideration is given to problem formulation and to the various techniques which can be applied to problem solution. These include the First Order Second Moment method and their derivatives, as well as various Monte Carlo tchniques. Each of these are described in considerable detail and example applications are given. Structural systems are also described, as is the effect of time on reliability estimation, and on the development of design code rules on the basis of limit state principles as under-pinned by probability theory. Furthermore, procedures for the reliability estimation of existing structures are also included.

The book emphasises concepts and applications, built up from basic principles and avoids undue mathematical rigour. It presents an accesible and unified account of the theory and techniques for the analysis of the reliability of engineering structures using probability theory. A balanced view of the subject is offered here not only for newcomers, but also for the more specialist reader, such as senior undergraduate and post-graduate students and practising engineers in civil, structural, geotechnical and mechanical engineering. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

5-0 out of 5 stars Excellent book!
This book is very complete and easy to read. It helped me a lot during the development of my master's dissertation.

5-0 out of 5 stars An excellent textbook!
I bought this book (at Amazon.com) to get a better understanding on the basic principles of structural reliability assessment (I 'm concerned with the probabilistic estimation of the remaining life of pressurized pipelines containing active corrosion defects in oil and gas distribution pipeline networks in Mexico). This thorough, well organized, volume is in my opinion the most comprehensive treatment available nowadays. It is mainly devoted to the probabilistic structural safety analysis and includes both theoretical foundations and practical examples in a coherent and logical presentation. It follows a clear step by step scheme (a quite useful feature for newcomers) covering basic issues such as measures of structural reliability and more complex and advanced topics including time dependent reliability and resistance and load modeling. The book also contains a brief on probabilistic theory which I've found very useful as a quick (and refreshing) guide. For newcomers, the first two chapters are essential to understand the subject. The author devotes the core of the book to a rigorous, detailed discussion of methods to compute probability of failure in engineering structures with simple and complex (multiple) limit state functions (and their evolution with time). The Monte Carlo integration approach, the first order methods FOM and the first order second moment methods FOSM are reviewed in detail and practical aspects of their computational implementations are given. It is to underline the excellent discussions given of limit state functions in load-resistance space which allow to clearly understand the procedures and strategies used by the above mentioned reliability methods to compute checking points, safety index and probability of failure. The last part of the book is devoted to load and resistance modeling, codes of structural reliability and probabilistic evaluation of existing structures. Civil engineers will profit this part as I did because of the lack of reliable data on load and resistance structural parameters variability (in many fields, plausible probabilistic methods can be only achieved by judiciously assuming or modeling load and resistance fluctuations, so that these chapter are welcome). This book cover this subject in some detail, emphasizing in steel and concrete members. The probabilistic reliability assessment of existing structures, the latest subject covered by the book is useful in pointing out the necessity of appropriate repairs actions on such structures, how to estimate deterioration and which actions have to be carried out in order to reduce risk levels. Some drawbacks have to be mentioned: (i) practical examples are scarce in key sections such as 1.5.3 (generalized reliability problem formulation), 1.5.4 (conditional reliability problems) and 6.6.3 (FOSM/FOR methods for unconditional failure probability), (ii) the level of abstract thinking required to understand many aspects covered by the book could result quite demanding for newcomers or readers that do not master probabilistic theory, (iii) mathematical details given for the FOSM algorithm are rather cumbersome and only two references to practical computational implementations of this method are given. As a matter of fact, I`ve preferred and used a practical implementation of this method published by M. Ahammed and R. E. Melchers (the author) in Engineering Structures(Vol. 17, No. 2, page. 74), and (v) I`ve noted some typographical errors (for example, constant b4 used in expression A.59 must be negative valued -see the book by Abramowitz, pag. 239 ). In spite of these drawbacks, I strongly recommend this book for those people concerned with the subject, especially newcomers, I repeat, this is the best available textbook in the market ... Read more


8. Engineering the City: How Infrastructure Works
by Matthys Levy, Richard Panchyk
Paperback: 144 Pages (2000-10-01)
list price: US$14.95 -- used & new: US$5.97
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1556524196
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Product Description
How does a city obtain water, gas, and electricity? Where do these services come from? How are they transported? The answer is infrastructure, or the inner, and sometimes invisible, workings of the city. Roads, railroads, bridges, telephone wires, and power lines are visible elements of the infrastructure; sewers, plumbing pipes, wires, tunnels, cables, and sometimes rails are usually buried underground or hidden behind walls. Engineering the City tells the fascinating story of infrastructure as it developed through history along with the growth of cities. Experiments, games, and construction diagrams show how these structures are built, how they work, and how they affect the environment of the city and the land outside it. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

5-0 out of 5 stars A must-have!
I totally agree with the previous reviewer; this is a fun book to read with your kids and do the activies together.It's also perfect for those awkward moments when they ask you a question like, "how does a road work?" and you don't exactly know the answer.It spells out everything in an easy-to-understand way.

5-0 out of 5 stars Engineering in the City-- a Dad's review
I have an 8 year old son who is seriously addicted to Lego building blocks and anything else that can be built.I am also a cub scout den leader and that makes me pretty good at understanding what 8 and 9 year old boys like.

They like this book!It answers some basic questions, that very subtley provide some basic engineering principles.What is BEST about this book is that every chapter has several simple projects that your child and you can do together.Again, simple, but it is suprising how educational this kind of fun can be.

My cub scouts like building bridges the best so far.You can bet we will work our way through this book and do many more projects.

Honestly, I wish a book like this existed when I was a kid.I thought engineering was all math and boring!NO SO!This book lights a fire in my imagination as well as that of my son.I love this book! ... Read more


9. The Wiley Dictionary of Civil Engineering and Construction (Wiley Professional)
Paperback: 688 Pages (1997-04-10)
list price: US$125.00 -- used & new: US$104.31
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0471181153
Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
With over 30,000 terms, this book provides comprehensive coverage of four allied but separate industrial sectors: construction, forestry, surface mining, and public works. It offers definitions from a wide variety of fields such as architecture, engineering, surveying, building, heavy construction, forestry, surface and surface mining, and municipal engineering.Amazon.com Review
The lingo of civil engineering and construction is a languageunto itself, and L.F. Webster does a fine job of translating it forthe lay person and defining the terms accurately for those who need toknow them: professionals working in surveying, construction, forestry,mining, and public works. The 666 pages and more than 30,000definitions of terms, concepts, names, abbreviations, tools, andtechniques makes Wiley an indispensable reference for contractors,civil engineers, architects, consultants, and students. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

3-0 out of 5 stars Not bad, but could be better.
I would have to say that the Canadian gentleman who blasted this book is a bit harsh. The buyer should take note that this book is a DICTIONARY, not an encyclopedia. The definitions are of the quality you would expect from Wiley, they are concise yet informative enough to get the general meaning of what the term being defined is. My biggest gripe is that I bought this book to take the Civil PE exam, and each time I opened it during the exam, the term I was looking for was not listed in the book, rendering it useless.I was disappointed with the book because of this, and would have to say it is not comprehensive enough if you're using it for the PE exam.(I'd have to say that more "technical" terms are not included, only general concepts in design and construction.)Bottom line: a good supplement to an engineering library for information outside of your field of practice, but not a definitive, comprehensive text.

4-0 out of 5 stars Must have for student or beginning engineer
I have only had the book for a few weeks, and have found myself referencing it often.I believe that, as an engineer, you will be seeing and hearing new things throughout your career, and reference manuals are excellent tools, and this is a must have for any beginning engineer/construction manager, and/or student.

1-0 out of 5 stars Not Worth the Money!
It came as a great disappointment to leaf through this particular book and discover its content was less than adequate for the price. The definitions were incomplete and lacked any technical elaboration. Mr. Webster conveniently explains this in the preface as "purposely brief". There's even a word misspelled; Enathalpy. It's "enthalpy", sir!I had genuinely believed that I was purchasing a superior work since it was published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Instead, I receive in the mail this amateur attempt that is definitely NOT worth the price I paid. I get greater detail and clarity from my old 1980 copy of the Penguin Dictionary of Civil Engineering by John S. Scott, and I paid only seven dollars for it! This experience forces me to reconsider purchasing publications from John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Clearly, they'll let any ol' thing through. ... Read more


10. Civil Engineering Reference Manual; by Michael R. Lindeburg; 1992
by Michael R. Lindeburg
 Hardcover: Pages (1992)
-- used & new: US$250.20
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0912045450
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11. Structural Engineering Formulas
by Ilya Mikhelson
Hardcover: 256 Pages (2004-04-23)
list price: US$29.95 -- used & new: US$16.05
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0071439110
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France | Japan
Editorial Review

Product Description
Comprehensive yet compact, this is a user-friendly time-saving reference packed with key engineering formulas for a wide variety of applications. Featuring introductory material on use and application of each formula, along with appendices covering metric conversion information, and selected mathematical formulas and symbols, this is a unique resource no civil engineer should be without. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

5-0 out of 5 stars Powerful Punch per Pound!
This handy little reference is equation and information dense. Basic and oft used engineering equations are organized in a simple way.

I bought this for the PE in April, 2010. I used it to answer one question... which makes it worth the price right there.

In my day to day practice, I use it for frame engineering. This one is a keeper.

4-0 out of 5 stars big help for understandingThis book provides a wide
This book provides a wide variety of structural formula, both the basic and the more involved. It provides basic guidance on how to approach solving structural problems. I did notice that the preference in units is metric, but the book provides straight forward conversion from american units.

5-0 out of 5 stars A Solid Summary of Basic Engineering Information
This work provides information on such things as geometric sections, beams, trusses, arches, plates, etc., often under various loading conditions. Its chapter on frame analysis is notable. Also featured are such things as building foundations, pipes and tunnels, soils, retaining structures, etc.

5-0 out of 5 stars Condensed convenience
This is a very handy little book.Properties of plane areas, basic vibration, beam formulas, plates w/ various b.c.'s, foundations, frames, arches, earth retaining, pipes & tunnels.Think of it as a specialized, watered down Roark's with more than a few hidden gems.It was extremely useful in my exam and is still very used as a quick reference or for basic first passes and superpositions for more complicated problems.

I humbly suggest that the review mentioning units is unfounded.The book is unitless as far as I've seen, aside from the examples.The examples use metric units.

5-0 out of 5 stars bookreview
well organized contents.the ability to access the contents over the net is a big plus. ... Read more


12. Civil Discipline-Specific Review for the FE/EIT Exam
by Robert Kim MSCEPE, Thomas A. Spriggs MSCE, MichaelR. Lindeburg PE
Paperback: 104 Pages (2009-05-01)
-- used & new: US$50.00
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 1591261775
Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description

The Civil Discipline-Specific Review is designed to give you the best preparation for the civil section of the FE exam. 61 practice problems plus two 4-hour afternoon practice exams supplement your study regime and help you assess your readiness for the exam. If you are taking the civil section of the FE exam, Civil Discipline-Specific Review will give you the focused practice and preparation you need to pass.

Topics covered

  • Construction Management
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Hydraulics & Hydrologic Systems
  • Materials
  • Soils Mechanics & Foundations
  • Structural Analysis
  • Structural Design
  • Surveying
  • Transportation

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Customer Reviews (12)

4-0 out of 5 stars Decent BUT very short!
This is a decent civil engineering review for the EIT exam; however, there aren't that many problems in it that you'd want.If you're going to take the general FE/EIT exam, you don't really have to spend your money on this book; just get the FE review manual: FE Review Manual: Rapid Preparation for the General Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (F E Review Manual), 2nd ed., and you shouldn't have any problems passing the FE/EIT exam.

4-0 out of 5 stars Decent Book for Civil FE Exam
This book is simply a set of problems and solutions of Civil Engineering problems that are similar to the FE.The problems in the book are on the level of the actual FE examination (unlike the general FE exam book) so you can see what to expect by using this book.

One major downside to this book is that it contains no formula sections like the main Lindeburg manual, so if you have forgotten these formulas then you probably either want to take the general afternoon exam or review from textbooks before using this book.It appears to me that this book was made more for people who are still in school or fresh out of school.

5-0 out of 5 stars good book
it has a detailed explanation, but you have to know the formulas and where they come from

3-0 out of 5 stars Better than nothing....
Ok, I agree with the other reviews that this book is very incomplete and shallow.If you have not learned many of the civi topics than this book is not for you.It will not teach you how to solve civil problems.I am still in school and this book was just what I needed to gain a basic review of already familiar civil topics.Also, I would never buy this book unless it was 10 dollars or less.I found someone to borrow it from.The book is thin! You can get all the way through it in a few hours!

5-0 out of 5 stars Helped me passed my EIT, 1st time!
It is the closes thing to the civil afternoon session of the EIT, other than the NCEES one.

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13. Hydraulics in Civil and Environmental Engineering
by Andrew Chadwick, John Morfett, Martin Borthwick
Paperback: 680 Pages (2004-08-09)
list price: US$74.95 -- used & new: US$50.92
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0415306094
Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
This classic text, now in its fourth edition, combines thorough coverage of the basic principles of hydraulics with a wide-ranging treatment of practical, real-world applications.

It is carefully structured into two parts to deal with principles before moving on to more advanced topics. The first part focuses on fundamentals, including hydrostatics, hydrodynamics, pipe and open channel flow, wave theory, hydrology and sediment transport. The second part illustrates the engineering applications of these fundamental principles to pipeline system design, hydraulic structures, river and coastal engineering, including up-to-date environmental implications and a chapter on computational modelling, illustrating the application of computational simulationtechniques to modern design, in a variety of contexts.


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Customer Reviews (1)

2-0 out of 5 stars You can find a better book.
This is my required text for hydraulics.There's not a lot of examples or practice problems.Also difficult to follow what ther're trying to convey.I'm going to have to buy another book to get through this class. ... Read more


14. Recent Developments in Reliability-based Civil Engineering
by Achintya Haldar (Editor)
Hardcover: 296 Pages (2006-02-01)
list price: US$121.00 -- used & new: US$111.85
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 9812564195
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Authored by the most active scholars in their respective areas, this volume covers the most recent developments, both theoretical and applicative, in multi-disciplinary reliability evaluation areas, many of which are cutting-edge and not discussed elsewhere in book form.The broad coverage includes the latest thoughts on design for low probability and high consequence events like the failure of the World Trade Center as well as risk acceptability based on the Life Quality Index. Other chapters discuss the development of the performance-based design concept, and the generally overlooked area of the reliability evaluation of bridges and offshore structures. Since the finite element method is routinely used for structural analyses, emphasis is put on discussing reliability evaluation using finite elements including consideration of the mesh-free finite element method. Corrosion and fatigue reliability evaluation techniques are other urgent issues that are dealt with in depth. Risk-based optimization using lifecycle cost analysis is presented. Among the many additional included topics, a chapter is devoted to health assessment of existing structures, currently one of the most active research areas. ... Read more


15. Civil Engineering Materials (2nd Edition)
by Shan Somayaji
Hardcover: 477 Pages (2000-12-15)
list price: US$167.00 -- used & new: US$114.65
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 013083906X
Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
This book deals with properties, applications and analysis of important materials of construction/civil engineering. It offers full coverage of how materials are made or obtained, their physical properties, their mechanical properties, how they are used in construction, how they are tested in the lab, and their strength characteristics--information that is essential for material selection and elementary design. Contains illustrative examples and tables and figures from professional organizations.Considers all common materials of civil engineering/construction--and looks at each in depth: e.g., physical properties, mechanical properties, code provisions, methods of testing, quality control, construction procedures, and material selection. Discusses laboratory testing procedures for selected tests--provides step-by-step descriptions of laboratory test procedures to determine properties of materials. All test procedures are based on relevant ASTM specification.For Civil Engineers, Construction Engineers, Architects, and Agricultural Engineers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

5-0 out of 5 stars great service
Shipping was fast and prompt. The price was great. My textbook arrived in perfect condition. Overall, a fantastic purchase and experience! I would definitely buy from this business again!

5-0 out of 5 stars Perfect
This book was brand new!!! It was perfect for the class I needed it for and I saved a lot of money by shopping through Amazon.Shipped pretty fast.

4-0 out of 5 stars Satisfied
The book was in good condition and it proved to be a valid transaction.I would recommend the seller.

5-0 out of 5 stars A good book with practical explanations
This is a good book that provides a simple reference for civil engineering students. You probably need to have some previous knowledge in deformable mechanics to have a comprehensive understanding of the material.This would not be a problem except that many schools (mine in particular) require a CE materials course before taking junior level deformable bodies.Students should not be deterred by this and will have no problem understanding the bulk of the material, as long as the professors using this text are aware of this.

4-0 out of 5 stars Student Review
Civil Engineering Materials,by Shan Somayaji, is an excellent tool for learning the fundamentals of materials used for civil engineering.The book consists of Theoretical material with examples and graphs thatreinforce the concepts covered.The key equations are set in bold, similarto other engineering text books.Unlike other engineering texts, this bookdoes not confuse the reader.This is acomplished by providing only thematerial relevent to the current section.The material included consistsof materials from aggregates to concrete to lumber and its grading.I usedthis book to help me complete a intoductory to engineering materialscourse.I would reccomend this book to people who have completed astrength of materials course and are interested in gaining knowledge of themost common materials used in the civil engineering profession. ... Read more


16. Dictionary Of Civil Engineering (Volume 0)
by Data Not Found
Paperback: 536 Pages (1992-10-31)
list price: US$89.95 -- used & new: US$59.09
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0412984210
Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Wide-ranging reference book encapsulates every aspect of civil engineering-from structural design soil mechanics, sewage disposal, and statistics to hydraulics and land surveys. DLC: Civil engineering-Dictionaries. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

1-0 out of 5 stars Not too good
A friend bought the same book on-line 50% cheaper than what I paid for it through Amazon. The paper and printing quality is not good. Some of the prints are fading and some of the letters run together. My copy was printed in China.

4-0 out of 5 stars Very useful...
This is a very useful book especially for those foreign engineers. There are terms in the book which most likely you have not encountered at school that might come in handy. ... Read more


17. Dictionary of Civil Engineering
Hardcover: 1516 Pages (2004-09-14)
list price: US$219.00 -- used & new: US$163.72
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0306483173
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Editorial Review

Product Description
This English version of the French publication, (Dictionnaire DU Genie Civil, published by the Conseil International de la Langue Française in 1997) will be a valuable reference tool for civil engineers. There are over 12,000 definitions accompanied by more than 1,300 charts, tables, and graphs. This Dictionary is a comprehensive compilation of definitions, examples and descriptions - from the study of soils, and the various materials and equipment used, including the most common architectural terms as they relate to civil engineering. The clear and concise presentation of this dictionary will easily clarify often confusing concepts and correct other lexicological errors. This compendium will be an invaluable tool not only for civil engineers, but also for lawyers, contractors, engineering and design departments, architects, etc. and all trade associations involved with this discipline. This dictionary may also be used as a valuable teaching tool ... Read more


18. The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition (New Directions in Civil Engineering)
Hardcover: 2904 Pages (2002-08-29)
list price: US$184.95 -- used & new: US$165.74
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0849309581
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
First published in 1995, the award-winning Civil Engineering Handbook soon became known as the field's definitive reference. To retain its standing as a complete, authoritative resource, the editors have incorporated into this edition the many changes in techniques, tools, and materials that over the last seven years have found their way into civil engineering research and practice.The Civil Engineering Handbook, Second Edition is more comprehensive than ever. You'll find new, updated, and expanded coverage in every section. In fact, more than 1/3 of the handbook is new or substantially revised. In particular you'll find increased focus on computing reflecting the rapid advances in computer technology that has revolutionized many aspects of civil engineering. You'll use it as a survey of the field, you'll use it to explore a particular subject, but most of all you'll use The Civil Engineering Handbook to answer the problems, questions, and conundrums you encounter in practice. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

3-0 out of 5 stars The Civil Engineering Handbook
This book should be in the libraray of many civil engineers. It covers a broad spectrum of topics. It provides worked examples in some sections. I would like to see alot more detail; however, I imagine it would take at least double the amount of space to provide the detail I would like to see. That said, every civil engineer needs this book. My suggestion is to purchase it as well as other more detailed books to supplement it in depth in your chosen field to get the most value.

4-0 out of 5 stars all-inclusive, but not too useful on the P.E. exam
If you operate a plant, or design frequently, or if you consult, and often are challenged with new concepts, this is useful, but I purchased it for use in the P.E. last year and it's not as useful as I'd hoped for that.It's just too much un-related information, and frankly, it covers a lot of NON-civil topics, too.On many common civil topics, it's mute, or nearly so.I know others who've found it a good desk reference, however.

5-0 out of 5 stars HUGE
This is an incredible reference book for any civil engineer.The price may appear a bit high but for the amount of information you are getting one could argue it is actually cheap!This is the most inclusive handbook I have ever used. ... Read more


19. Water Resources Engineering
by Larry W. Mays
Hardcover: 890 Pages (2010-06-08)
-- used & new: US$79.96
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0470460644
Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Environmental engineers continue to rely on the leading resource in the field on the principles and practice of water resources engineering. The second edition now provides them with the most up-to-date information along with a remarkable range and depth of coverage. Two new chapters have been added that explore water resources sustainability and water resources management for sustainability. New and updated graphics have also been integrated throughout the chapters to reinforce important concepts. Additional end-of-chapter questions have been added as well to build understanding. Environmental engineers will refer to this text throughout their careers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

5-0 out of 5 stars Very good condition
Book was in very good condition and looked practically new. Arrived in a timely manner.

3-0 out of 5 stars good seller, bad book
book was in great shape but it is poorly laid out and there is no availabe solutions manual

5-0 out of 5 stars Excellent Textbook
One of my coworkers had this book, I kept using it as a reference so I eventually bought my own copy.It is an outstanding textbook and an important reference book to have on hand.I highly recommned it.It is far better than the "Hydraulic Engineering" textbook I had in college.

4-0 out of 5 stars Great book for any civil engineering professional
One of the best water resources books. It covers all major and minor topics in water resources and is a great reference for the PE Exam.

2-0 out of 5 stars Water Resources Engineering
This book is loaded with good information, but we found errors in key hydraulic formulas, which quickly led me not to trust anything out of the book. The sad part is, this was a required text for an engineering class. Maybe the new edition has remedied the problems, but I wouldn't recommend the edition I bought. ... Read more


20. Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvel
by Kenneth R. Wright, Alfredo Valencia Zegarra, Ruth M. Wright, Gordon, Ph.D. Mcewan
Paperback: 144 Pages (2000-11)
list price: US$52.00 -- used & new: US$52.00
(price subject to change: see help)
Asin: 0784404445
Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars
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Editorial Review

Product Description
Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvel takes readersinside the Lost City of the Incas for a groundbreaking perspectivenever before seen by tourists or archeologists. Built high in theAndes on a seemingly impossible site, Machu Picchu stands as atestament to Early Native Americans and their ability to plan andbuild. How was it possible to create a mountain-top city complete withrunning water, drainage systems, food production, and stone structuresso advanced they have endured for over 500 years? Authors KennethR. Wright and Alfredo Valencia Zegarra explain these and othermysteries, based on their original engineering and scientificresearch. A fascinating book, Machu Picchu: A Civil Engineering Marvelis a must-have for civil engineers, archeologists, armchair travelers,and tourists alike. An illustrated walking guide and detailed mapallow readers to become familiar with each building and pathway, andnumerous photographs take readers on a breathtaking pictorialadventure. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

5-0 out of 5 stars This Book Enhanced Our Trip!
For the University of Denver Water Law Review,
Vol. 6, Issue 1, Fall 2002

Coloradans Ken and Ruth Wright have teamed with Peruvian archeologist Alfredo Valencia to place back in working order the sixteen fountains of Machu Picchu.You can see for yourself.

The Inca were master water handlers.They chose Machu Picchu as a ceremonial center because the mountains and the river spoke to them of life-giving power.The Urubamba River far below snakes triangular around the base of Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu mountains.A saddle between these peaks cradles the temples, rock shrines, dwelling places, and agricultural terraces that dance between the clouds in early morning and emerge to sunlight by Noon.

Water at the center of it all.The paleo-hydrologic studies of the Wrights and Valencia reveal how the Inca predicated the design and construction of Machu Picchu upon the flow of a spring.From high on the side of Machu Picchu Mountain, a canal brings water across an agricultural terrace to the first fountain just above the Temple of the Sun.From there, sixteen fountains splash, spout, and sing down a staircase to the Temple of the Condor.

The May 2002, issue of National Geographic Magazine contains yet another map of Machu Picchu deriving from the Wright-Valencia partnership.This map shows how magnificent Machu Picchu must have looked with its thatched roofs uplifted to the condor sky.
Underneath your feet at every turn is the invisible sixty-percent of Machu Picchu.In their Civil Engineering book, Ken and Alfredo describe the genius of Machu Picchu's foundational structure.The Inca edifices and agricultural terraces stand the test of time because of careful drainage and methodical trenchwork.The visible forty-percent of Machu Picchu rests on mountain bedrock and the skill of people who learned through ancestral experience how to counter earthquake and erosion's despoiling effect.

Ken and Alfredo deduce from their studies that the Inca did not irrigate the agricultural terraces at Machu Picchu, though they did elsewhere.Here, the rainy season and supplemental importation of agricultural products met the needs of the small resident population and the influx of those attending rituals.The Inca ruler Pachacuti began Machu Picchu as a ceremonial retreat in A.D. 1450.It likely ceased normal operation by A.D. 1540 due to the collapse of the Inca Empire under Spanish invasion.

Ken and Alfredo explain that Machu Picchu's durability stems from high quality professional workmanship:

"Machu Picchu's technical planning is surely the key to the site's longevity and functionality.The Inca's careful use of hydraulic, drainage, and construction techniques ensured that the retreat was not reduced to rubble during its many years of abandonment.These techniques, combined with a strong knowledge of hydrology, were what made it a grand and operational retreat high in the most rugged of terrain."


The Civil Engineering book is easily readable, yet contains much study and analysis of Machu Picchu's structural accomplishment.Ken and Alfredo devote chapters to (1) setting, geology, climate, and site selection; (2) city planning and engineering infrastructure; (3) hydrogeology, collection works, water requirements, and water supplies; (4) hydraulic engineering, water supply canal, and fountains; (5) drainage infrastructure, surface runoff and drainage criteria, agricultural terraces, and urban sector; (6) agriculture, hand-placed soil, crop water needs, and adequacy of nutrient production; (7) building foundations and stone walls; (8) construction methods, rock quarry, transporting and lifting rocks, using wood and vegetation, roof structures, canal stones, floors and plaster, bridges, and tools of the trade; (9) cultural background and Inca heritage; and (10) a walking tour of the engineering works (Ruth's contribution).

Dr. Gordon McEwan, excavator of Pikillacta and Chokepukio, illuminates the cultural background of the Inca in a fine chapter he contributes to the Civil Engineering work (chapter 9).He further explains in a June 2002 National Geographic Magazine article how the Inca culture built upon the Wari culture (A.D. 600-1000).At Pikillacta, the Wari relied on an aqueduct whose portals also served as their gateways and guardways to the Cusco Valley.Before the Wari, dating from B.C. 200, the Pukara and the Tiwanaku peoples conducted water for pragmatic and religious purposes.

The Inca were religious and practical people.They revered the earth, the mountains, and the sky, as their descendants the Quechua still do.On mountain torsos they saw visages of the serpent, the puma, and the condor.Rocks and dead ancestors were equally alive to inform and inspire them by daily consultation in community.They were expert engineers, architects, and water workers.Joseph and Pharaoh-like, they dreamed of drought and famine; so, they stored the plentiful crop against the certitude of impending scarcity.The Inca exacted a tax in the form of labor.In return, the community benefited from stored food and ritual celebrations.

In the third summer of a North American western drought (A.D.2002), with the published work of Ken, Ruth, and Alfredo in hand, I could see it too--how water works at Machu Picchu for domestic water supply, aesthetic, and spiritual needs.The Inca water containment and delivery structures join those of the Mayans at Tikal, the Anasazi at Mesa Verde, and the Hopi at their mesas in a centuries-old mosaic of water use in the Western Hemisphere.

In scarcity lies the opportunity for community.The native peoples of the Americas practiced the art of water works construction out of ingenuity and necessity, praying to the gods for rain to fill their earth-constructed hope against despair.The native peoples also demonstrated that water supply planning and infrastructure is a core responsibility of those who would govern in the public interest.Westerners always come round to the practical and symbolic value of water for people and the environment.

5-0 out of 5 stars Get it before you go, take it with you
Great book that goes way beyond the standard guide book fare.It inspired me to make the trip after reading it, to see first hand how the ancient Inca Empire created a complete fortified city in the sky, to trace the old Inca trails by the watchtower, the drawbrige and into the main gate with the view of city and the peak beyond. Other travel books have beautiful pictures and "where to eat and where to stay" for this citadel but very little information on how the city itself came into being and survived.

City maps and commentary in the book are far better than you can get on-site.Don't leave home without it.Even if you are just an armchair traveler you will be amazed with the accomplishments of the Inca Empire.

5-0 out of 5 stars Machu Picchu - A Civil Engineering Marvel
Abandoned for centuries and overgrown by dense subtropical forest, this awesome city in the sky has been the subject of speculation and conjecture since Hiram Bingham first disclosed it in 1911.Now, for the first time, the wonders of Machu Picchus' construction and water supply are revealed in a new book by Kenneth R. Wright and Alfredo Valencia Zegarra. Anyone who has read Bingham's Lost City of the Incas, or who has visited this ancient city of the Incas or who yearns to journeythere, should read this new and searching volume that delves into and solves many of the mysteries of Machu Picchu. Why was it built, how the site was selected, and what were the critical criterial criteria that were met to make the ridge top site suitable for an alternate home for the Inca Pachacuti? Machu Picchu served as a residence, a fortress and a holy place. The developement of a water supply, the construction of terraces for agriculture and the remarkable and enduring granite structures were well concealed by its unique location. Near vertical cliffs, the roaring Urubamba river all contributed to the concealment of Machu Picchu from the Spanish invaders How an ancient people, without the written word, without instruments and steel tools so capably built and prospered there for more than a century is now revealed in this landmark book that will increase both the awe and respect of the reader for the Inca people.

5-0 out of 5 stars Skilled Ancient Civilizations
Don't let the title scare you if you are not an engineer.Reading through the book is like taking a stroll with the ancient men who planned, designed and built this great site.It is a "must take along" if you are planning a visit.Even if you cannot afford to visit,the book is worth the read to be able to admire the skills of ancient people.

5-0 out of 5 stars The Miracle of Machu Picchu
The story of Machu Picchu is a tribute to the prehistoric Native Americans who planned and built this mystical mountaintop royal estate for Emperor Pachacuti between AD 1450 and 1540.The authors have, at last, defined for scientists and layman alike what makes Machu Picchu such a beautiful and special place:the innumerable details of Machu Picchu, when combined into a whole, create a visual and spiritual experience that is unparalleled in the New World.

Properly, this book is dedicated to the young Yale explorer Hiram Bingham, John Rowe and Pat Lyons of the University of California/Berkeley, Richard Burger and Lucy Salazar of Yale University, and several others who had a hand in supporting the research work in both the United States and Peru.

Ten chapters, 160 photographs, many sketches and maps, in conjunction with a detailed index, provide both the scholar and casual tourist with a description of Machu Picchu that is a must-read before leaving Cusco for the trip down the Urubamba River to see this most important archaeological ruin of the Western Hemisphere.The book is designed so that much of the story can be appreciated even if one only looks at the photographs and reads the captions; much like a National Geographic magazine.

Chapter 1 explains the when, where and why of Machu Picchu along with it ancient climate.Site selection reasons are described; here you will learn why the Inca chose such a difficult site for construction and how the mountain and water played a major role in its choice.In Chapter 2, you will learn about the Inca-period planning that went into the royal estate so that it would function.For instance, based on engineering evidence, the Inca spring and canal layout details were established before the Inca Royal Residence and the Temple of the Sun locations were chosen.It is no coincidence that the one-half-mile-long canal ends near the Royal Residence and Fountain No. 1 so that the emperor would have the first use of the domestic water supply.

Without the Inca Spring on the north side of Machu Picchu Mountain, there would be no archaeological ruin here.The Inca water source is described in Chapter 3.The hydrology of the spring and its flow are presented in an easy-to-understand manner; the reader will learn why the water supply is a child of the geologic faulting, upthrusts and related cracking of the granite bedrock and that the spring flow rises and falls throughout the year with a several-month lag time between the rainfall.But most of all, the chapter describes the original spring works and its water supply so that its technical significance to the Inca engineer can be fully appreciated.For water quality aficionados, a detailed water quality table of constituents is described; you will learn that the water supply of Machu Picchu was and is clear and pure.

Also in Chapter 3, the remarkable recent discoveries of long lost water supplies are explained.A previously unknown extension of the Inca Trail down to the Urubamba River is also described.One fountain is shown flowing in 1999 after nearly five centuries of being buried under the forest floor.

Chapter 4 explains the hydraulic engineering of Machu Picchu and the meticulous fountain work that delivered water to the heart of Machu Picchu.Hydraulic works such as the Abandoned Canal are pictured to show that even when Machu Picchu was left to the forest in AD 1540, the royal estate was still under construction.Machu Picchu represented a pinnacle of the Inca architectural and engineering achievements.

The author explains in Chapter 5 that, without good drainage, Machu Picchu would not have endured through the centuries.The drainage system is analyzed using modern methods to prove the type of planning and engineering that preceded the actual building construction, all with figures and photographs so that the drainage components can be examined in the field to provide a greater appreciation.Discovery of the first and only gold at Machu Picchu in 1996 is a story that illustrates the Machu Picchu mysteries that still await discovery; a gold bracelet was found in and amongst the stone chips that underlie the Playa.A photograph of the gold bracelet shows its graceful curves.

The agriculture of Machu Picchu is amply illustrated and described in Chapter 6, along with the nutrient producing capabilities of the hundreds of terraces.It was determined that the terraces would provide food for no more than 55 people and, therefore, food was brought into Machu Picchu from elsewhere.Actually, the terraces were used mostly for growing corn, probably to produce the ceremonial Inca beer known as chi cha.

Chapters 7 and 8 satisfy one's need to know about how the Machu Picchu stonework was built and why it has endured.Eighteen types of stonework wall patterns are illustrated and lintel beams are described along with many special-use stones.Methods of construction are analyzed to show how large stones were moved, shaped and placed.Evidence of potential Inca renegade stonemasons is shown on page 77, a controversy on which Inca scholars still disagree.

One of the best descriptions of how the Inca were able to do so much in such a short time is given in Chapter 9, prepared by scholar Gordon McEwan, in a chapter on cultural background and the Inca heritage.

The final chapter of the book provides a capstone in the form of a walking tour that takes the reader to each and every Machu Picchu highlight, complete with 44 figures and photographs.The four pages of Machu Picchu mapping helps the armchair traveler know just where he or she is at all times.

This book, parading as a civil engineering guide to Machu Picchu, is actually a detailed guide that covers the scientific aspects of the archaeological site in a way that any and all readers can appreciate.I recommend it to all.Don't miss it if you are planning to visit there. ... Read more


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