The Institution of Civil Engineers has launched its first undergraduate textbooks targeted towards engineering students, in order to prepare, educate and inspire the next generation of engineers. The two textbooks; Core Principles of Soil Mechanics and Hydraulics for Civil Engineers, have both been created to provide clear, accurate and relevant information on major principles of civil and structural engineering, at a level suitable for undergraduate students worldwide.

Engineers are in huge demand worldwide - yet the number of young people joining the profession is in decline. Alongside this concern one of the construction industry’s leading figures, John Dickson, retiring regional chairman of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association , has been urging contractors to employ more civil engineering trainees for the sake of the sector’s future. Therefore, the launch of the first two volumes in the new ICE Textbooks series has come at a crucial time.

Geoff French, President of the Institution of Civil Engineers, comments: “I’m pleased to announce the publication of the first two volumes of the new ICE Textbooks, which are the only student textbooks on core engineering subjects published by a learned society. “The launch of this new series is part of our mission to educate and inspire the next generation of engineers. ICE Textbooks have been created as concise introductions to their subjects and will provide undergraduates with clear, accurate and practical information on the major principles of civil and structural engineering.”

Key features within the ICE Textbooks include:

• Clear, logical, and easy-to-navigate structure based on actual classroom modules
• Learning aims, key point summaries and review questions in each chapter
• Real world international case studies, plus many worked examples and practice exercises amply illustrated and referenced, with comprehensive indexing and suggestions for further reading
• Fully up-to-date content, incorporating JBM guidance on design, sustainability, health and safety
• Free online resources for lecturers