Context
I have recently been looking for material to deepen my understanding of engineering beyond the school curriculum.
I came across the Cambridge Engineering recommended reading list and decided to purchase several of the suggested books, alongside others that I already knew would be valuable for my intended field. My aim is not to read these passively, but to engage with them critically and connect the ideas to what I am learning in mathematics, physics, and my own projects.
Reference list:
https://www.admissions.eng.cam.ac.uk/information/reading
To see more information about what I am reading please visit: https://lukeharrisplatt.com/reading/
Reading list and reflections
Structures: Or Why Things Don’t Fall Down — J. E. Gordon
Why I chose this:
To build intuition for how structures behave and how engineers reason about strength, stiffness, and failure.
Key ideas so far:
One idea I found particularly compelling is that, for a structure to support a load, it must deform slightly. This answered a question I had often wondered about: how rigid objects can still respond to forces. The fact that buildings compress or deflect when loaded initially feels counterintuitive, but becomes logical when considered in terms of material behaviour.
I have also begun to understand the distinction between stress, strain, and stiffness, and why confusing these concepts can lead to incorrect assumptions about structural performance.
Connections:
The study of structures underpins almost all fields of engineering and is fundamental to the development of safe and efficient systems, from buildings to aircraft.
Questions / things to revisit:
I would like to revisit the more complex equations later, once I have a stronger mathematical background to fully understand their derivation and implications.
Sustainable Energy – Without the Hot Air — David J. C. MacKay
Why I chose this:
To understand energy systems quantitatively and to move beyond qualitative or overly simplified arguments about sustainability.
Key ideas so far:
To be explored.
Connections:
To be explored.
Questions / things to revisit:
To be explored.
Introduction to Flight (9th Edition) — John D. Anderson
Why I chose this:
To gain a more rigorous introduction to aerodynamics and the physical principles governing flight.
Key ideas so far:
To be explored.
Connections:
To be explored.
Questions / things to revisit:
To be explored.
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