Editorial Reviews:
The design of structural steel members has developed over the past century from a simple approach involving a few basic properties of steel and elementary mathematics to a more sophisticated treatment demanding a thorough knowledge of structural and material behavior. Steel Structures:Design and Behavior, 5/e strives to present in a logical manner the theoretical background needed for developing and explaining design requirements. Beginning with coverage of background material, including references to pertinent research, the development of specific formulas used in the AISC Specifications is followed by a generous number of design examples explaining in detail the process of selecting minimum weight members to satisfy given conditions.
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Spotlight customer reviews:
Customer Rating:  
Summary: Good, but could be better
Comment: I bought this as the required textbook for my graduate Steel Structures II class. While I didn't use the book a lot in class, I am still glad I have it, although it really isn't the go-to reference it could be.
The 5th edition is very similar to the 4th edition, only it has been updated to follow the AISC 13th edition steel design specification. In keeping with the combined nature of the 13th edition code, there are examples in both ASD and LRFD design philosophies.
All the basic and many advanced steel design concepts provided in the AISC steel code are covered in the book (including plate girders and torsion), but I feel that some of the topics could be covered more thoroughly. The sections on composite members and beam-columns are rudimentary and much of the time the AISC Steel Construction Manual offers more and better explanations (in both the code and commentary). The chapter on plate girders is pretty good and the one I found to be the most useful. It was also nice to see the inclusion of a section on torsion, which is often omitted from basic steel design textbooks.
In conclusion, this isn't a single spectacular textbook or reference, but it is useful to have around.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The best steel design reference
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The Standard
Comment: 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.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good book
Comment: This book thoroughly describes design procedures with numerous examples using both LRFD and ASD design, exactly what I need as an intern engineer. Sometimes I find the examples difficult to follow when units are not carried through and commentary left out; however, details are plentiful enough to eventually catch on. The AISC Manual of Steel Construction is constantly referred to and thus necessary to follow examples fully (I broke down and purchased it). Lastly, readers should be on the lookout for typos as I have spotted several.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Still the Best General Steel Structural Design Book Available
Comment: 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.
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Go to the store to buy Steel Structures: Design and Behavior (4th Edition)
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