In an attempt to improve the first edition, more topics, figures, examples, and exercises have been added. The author hopes all the old errors have been removed and few new errors have been introduced. The primary change has been a greater emphasis on preparing the student for a broad understanding of the finite element method of analysis. In the author's experience, various finite element method software packages are almost, if not totally, the only means of structural analysis used today in the aerospace industry and in the associated federal and state government agencies. The three chapters dealing with the finite element method of analysis, Chapters 16, 17, and 18, are hopefully just the right amount of exposure suitable for undergraduates.

The style of presentation has remained the same. Clarity rather than brevity has been the consistent goal. Hence, there is a purposeful use of extra words and sentences in order to try to assist the reader who is new to the material. This strategy of being wordy admittedly makes this textbook less useful as a reference for the instructor who already is quite familiar with the chosen material. Perhaps this wordiness will allow that instructor the luxury of being brief in his or her lectures, knowing that this textbook is available as a backup to those lectures.