Steel Structures: Design and Behavior

This book covers the basics and fundamentals of steel design in such a way that provides a great reference for the structural engineering student or professional. Possibly the best book you can find in the field. I've been using it since graduate school and through the years as a consultant in structural engineering.

This is simply the best book on steel design out there, and anyone interested in learning the subject needs to read it. It covers the crucial aspects of the AISC code in a unified manner and is quite readable. The authors begin each topic in the book with the detailed background mechanics behind the observed structural behavior and then proceed to verify these ideas with experimental evidence. Next the authors explain how the the code provisions result practically from these ideas. Finally, the authors offer a number of solved examples in design and analysis and explain the methods used to solve them. This is exactly the way that a book on design should be put together. The code is not a black box, but sometimes it can be presented as such. In order to properly design or analyze a real building, you need a firm grasp of the basic and not so basic principles of structural mechanics and the empirical evidence that backs it up; you can't simply be a "Code Monkey" and expect to do a whole lot more than determining if a W10x16 or a W10x14 should be erected. Salmon and Johnson really explain steel structural engineering in this book, and if you make an effort to seriously learn the material, you will gain tremendous dividends in your understanding of these complex and interesting topics.

Given the available books on the market for general steel structural design in the U.S., this is by far the best. The breadth of topics covered is abundant without any sacrifice in depth of full backround and commentary, which is sorely missing from other books of this kind. The layout and presentation of information is very clear and readable. Although a new edition covering changes in the industry since the last publication would be greatly appreciated, the book taken for when it was published is still very applicable for use now (despite reviews to the contrary given below). Any competent engineer can adjust to changes in industry standards as the base material given in the book is very solid and sound. The proof in the outstanding quality of this book is trying to use other similar books in the market today, which generally fall short in comparison.

The book is a great textbook for students and practicing engineers. It covers pretty much all the steel topics. It has plenty of examples from ASD design to LRFD design. I think that out of all of the steel design books out there, this is the best.

This book provides both the theory and practical applications needed to understand both LRFD and ASD Steel Design. The problems provided at the end of each chapter can be worked using either method. The example problems within the chapters provide valuable insight to procedures and techniques in solving problems. Having read many different books by Mr. Solman I have never been disappointed, and have always gained great knowledge from his books.