“Used with caution, such formulae really are very useful indeed, and indeed they form the professional stock-in-trade of most engineering designers and draughtsmen. There is not the slightest need to be ashamed of using them; in fact we all do. But they must be used with caution.
# Make sure that you really understand what the formula is about.
# Make sure that it really does apply to your particular situation.
# Remember, remember, remember, that these formulae take no account of stress concentrations or other special local conditions.”

— J.E. Gordon

Appendix 1, Handbooks and formulae
Structures (or, Why Things Don't Fall Down) (1978)

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J.E. Gordon 7

Materials scientist 1913–1998

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