Applied Strength of Materials provides comprehensive coverage of the key topics in strength of materials with an emphasis on applications, problem solving, and design of structural members, mechanical devices, and systems. The fourth edition of this best-selling text has been updated and enhanced to include a new "Big Picture" feature and a brief review of statics in a new appendix. Strengths of this text include: A section called The Big Picture begins each chapter and engages students in discussion of the many contexts in which the principles in that chapter are used in real, practical design. This feature draws on the students' own experience and builds their knowledge of the mechanical design field. It is based on the learning theory that students learn better when they can relate new concepts to past experiences and when they consider the whole before tackling the details. An extensive introduction to composite materials along with the commentary throughout the book on the application of composites to various kinds of load-carrying members and comparisons/contrasts of composites to traditional structural members. Suggested computer programming assignments with recommended uses for spreadsheets, equation-solving software such as MATLAB, and graphing calculators to reflect the continuing development of electronic aids. Strong presentation of design approaches in addition to analysis, providing extensive information on guidelines for design of mechanical devices and structural members.