On the Strength of Beams, Columns, and Arches

Abstract

THE subject matter of this little volume is of great importance to Civil Engineers. All structures resolve themselves ultimately into beams, columns, and arches, of some kind. It is therefore of great importance that the engineer should be familiar with the mode of ascertaining their strength or their resistance. We approve, in the main, of Mr. Baker's endeavour to dispense with high mathematics by substituting geometrical solutions for ordinary problems, because, unfortunately, mathematics is not the strong side of English engineers, although England has produced the greatest of mathematicians. But the author seems to labour under serious misapprehensions. He proposes his geometrical solutions, because he thinks that the use of mathematics “involves an unjustifiable waste of time, with the great contingent disadvantage that it checks the growth of sound judgment in the engineer, by giving a fictitious appearance of accuracy to his results which are not susceptible of exact deduction.” This is a grievous error. The spirit of mathematics is the expression of most acute and refined reasoning; and how can the practice of intellectual reasoning check the growth of sound judgment in the engineer? The fictitious appearance of accuracy above mentioned, is altogether beside the question, because it is optional; but not so the correctness of our reasoning and arguments. The author makes the above statement in his preface, and we find, unfortunately, that throughout the volume the spirit of mathematics is sadly offended. Let us take for example the author's mode of calculating the strength of beams. He shows us how the strength of a beam may be found geometrically, and derives the formulæ for rectangular and other beams, assuming the neutral axis of the beam to pass through the centre of gravity of the sectional area of the beam.

On the Strength of Beams, Columns, and Arches.

By B. Baker, Assoc. Inst. C.E. (London: E. and F. N. Spon, 1870.)