Book excerpt: It covers all the basic topics of mechanics of deformable bodies generally taught in these courses. The text presents the topics in a clear, simple, practical, logical and cogent fashion that provides the students with insights into theory as well as applications to practical problems. It uses an abundance of worked examples to impart a high level of comprehension of concepts and helps master the process of calculations, manipulations and that of making appropriate inferences. Well-labelled diagrams have been used throughout the text for a sound comprehension of the fundamentals of the subject. Most of the examples and chapter-end problems have been formulated in parametric form making them independent of units and suitable for practical applications. An extensive set of problems along with hints and answers is provided at the end of each chapter for practice. Since the book aims at covering the topics generally taught in engineering curriculum of several disciplines, an interdisciplinary approach has been followed. Some advanced topics such as thick pressure vessels, skew bending, curved members, beam-columns, etc. have also been included for the benefit of postgraduate students.