In the 6th edition of Mechanics of Materials, author team Riley, Sturges, and Morris continue to provide students with the latest information in the field, as well as realistic and motivating problems. This updated revision of Mechanics of Materials (formerly Higdon, Olsen and Stiles) features thorough treatment of stress, strain, and the stress-strain relationships. These topics are covered before the customary treatments of axial loading, torsion, flexure, and buckling, allowing for earlier introduction of more realistic problems, such as those associated with combined loadings.

Riley, Sturges, and Morris continue to write in a student-friendly style that includes new illustrations throughout each chapter. The text stresses the use of fundamental principles and the concepts of mechanics to solve all problems. As a result, students must apply the information presented in each chapter to answer realistic problems instead of simply using formulas. This problem solving method motivates students to learn the material because they see how it is used in the real world.