Timber is one of the oldest of man's building materials, but because the building scene today is dominated by concrete and steel, many designers are unfamiliar with the properties of timber and its structural vocabulary. This new book begins with an extended introduction to timber as a building material: its various forms and properties, its response to environmental conditions, and the Building Regulations relating to its use. It goes on to follow the general sequence of work, starting with the commission, and then dealing with the survey, the investigation and the appraisal.
England has a surprising number of timber-framed buildings, many dating back to pre 1700, which are listed buildings. There is now an increasing demand for these buildings to be adapted to suit modern day requirements. This book takes a practical approach and discusses materials and carpentry techniques used in the repair of these buildings, along with a qualitative account of the structural behaviour of the timber elements.
Addressing the potential problems that can occur in all types of timber construction, from fungal and insect attack, through to structural inadequacy to accidental damage, this guide tells how to identify, remedy and repair the problems in detail.
Interest in green and sustainable design is growing throughout the world. Both national and local governments are active in promoting reuse and recycling in order to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill. This guide identifies how building designers and constructors can minimize the generation of waste at the design stage of a building project by using reclaimed components and materials. Authoritative, accessible and much-needed, this book highlights the opportunities for using reclaimed components and materials and recycled-content building products for each element of a building, from structure and foundations to building services and external works. Current experience is illustrated with international case studies and practical advice. It discusses different approaches to designing with recycling in mind, and identifies the key issues to address when specifying reclaimed components and recycled materials in construction work. This book will be invaluable for building professionals including architects, specifiers, structural and service engineers, quantity surveyors, contractors and facilities managers as well as students of architecture and civil engineering. Published with NEF
No building is properly conserved if it is not structurally sound. Consequently architects, engineers and conservation officers need an adequate grounding in the technology, the materials and the historic origins of the building in order to complete a conservation project successfully. Structural Design in Building Conservation deals with design issues and technical choices, showing how they are integrated with the planning and architectural outcomes in a conservation project. It brings together theory with current conservation technology, discussing the possibilities of structural details and strategies in architectural expression. Case studies are central to this, and these are organised around such themes as the addition of roofs, requalification of space, strengthening and re-use of fabric, repristination, additions, completions, stiffness adjustments, and the correction of past mistakes. The reader is encouraged to examine the technical details of these real projects, and explore the possible solutions. The philosophy of structural interventions is introduced in the context of conservation theories and practices in various European countries. The main types of strengthening, repairs and interventions are explained using different building types, and the structural nature of the main elements to be strengthened (linear structures, frames, plates and shells) is explored in detail. Case studies included cover a very wide range of historic types and conversions, not only monumental masonry structures like neoclassical buildings, major temples, churches, public buildings and museums, but also more utilitarian structures like historic mills, early reinforced concrete structures and vaulting types. This is essential reading for all students of architectural conservation, and practicing architects and engineers who are involved in conservation projects.
Building defects still continue to plague the construction industry. The lessons learned over the last forty years have not been fully applied. Many new or refurbished buildings still leak or crack. Lack of awareness by designers and installers as to the main mechanisms that trigger such failures remains a problem for the industry. Investigating and rectifying building failures form a major part of building surveyors’ bread and butter work. This book provides guidance on this work for typical residential, commercial and industrial buildings – with advice on how to diagnose a wide range of defects with an emphasis on evidence based practice throughout. It considers both modern and older construction methods, together with new and traditional materials. The particular problems of alteration and renovation work are also discussed. The first four chapters provide information and guidance on the methodology for investigating failures – how to prepare for and conduct an investigation into a building defect and subsequently diagnose its cause in a logical manner. This fourth edition has been updated and expanded to cover the latest diagnostic procedures and research. It also includes Appendices and a new Bibliography, and provides an extensive list of books on building pathology and related topics in the UK and North America. It is essential reading for all students and practitioners interested in building surveying and building conservation.
This book deals with structural surveys for all types of building -domestic industrial and commercial - and includes diagnosis of awide range of defects. It considers both modern and olderconstruction methods, and deals with the particular problems ofalterations and restoration work. Guidance is given on how to carryout measured surveys and on report writing. The third editioncovers the latest definitions of types of property surveys, moreinformation on report writing and a range of detail updates. * Covers all types of building - commercial, industrial andhistorical - not just domestic * Deals with particular problems of conversion and renovation work- increasingly important today * New edition features latest definitions of survey types, more onreport writing and a range of other updates * ‘a valuable reference book’ - ASI Journal
This is a one-stop book for knowing everything important about building structures. Self-contained and with no prerequisites needed, it is suitable for both general readers and building professionals. follow the history of structural understanding; grasp the concepts of structural behaviour via step-by-step explanations; apply these concepts to a simple building; see how these concepts apply to real buildings, from Durham Cathedral to the Bank of China; use these concepts to define the design process; see how these concepts inform design choices; understand how engineering and architecture have diverged, and what effect this had; learn to do simple but relevant numerical calculations for actual structures; understand when dynamics are important; follow the development of progressive collapse prevention; enter the world of modern structural theory; see how computers can be used for structural analysis; learn how to organise and design a successful project. With more than 500 pages and over 1100 user-friendly diagrams, this book is a must for anyone who would like to understand the fascinating world of structures.
Local communities have adapted for centuries to challenging surroundings, resulting from unforeseen natural hazards. Vernacular architecture often reveals very intelligent responses attuned to the environment. Therefore, the question that emerged was: how did local populations prepare their dwellings to face frequent earthquakes? It was to respond to this gap in knowledge, that the SEISMIC-V research project was instigated, and this interdisciplinary international publication was prepared. The research revealed the existence of a local seismic culture, in terms of reactive or preventive seismic resistant measures, able to survive, if properly maintained, in areas with frequent earthquakes. The fundamental contribution and aims of the publication were to enhance: -The disciplinary interest in vernacular architecture; -Its contribution to risk mitigation in responding to natural hazards; -To encourage academic and scientific research collaboration among different disciplines; -To contribute to the improvement of vernacular dwellings, which half of the world’s population still inhabits nowadays. Fifty international researchers and experts presented case studies from Latin America, the Mediterranean, Eastern and Central Asia and the Himalayas region, with reference to 20 countries, i.e. Algeria, Bolivia, Bhutan, Chile, China, Egypt, El Salvador, Greece, Haiti, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Peru, Romania, Taiwan, Turkey and a closer detailed analysis of Portugal. This publication brings together 43 contributions, with new perspectives on seismic retrofitting techniques and relevant data, addressing vernacular architecture; an amazing source of knowledge, and to this day, home to 4 billion people.
Wood Deterioration, Protection and Maintenance provides an up to date discussion of the natural durability of wood, wood degradation processes, and methods of structural and chemical protection of wood. Modern active substances in wood preservatives and the relationships between preservative properties, the anatomical structure and moisture content of wood and protective processes involving pressure and/or diffusion driving forces are fully illustrated.
