Jack Stroud Foster
Construction Books Direct
£19.99 plus postage and packing
CBD stock number: 176
Available from: Construction Books Direct 01344 630810
When a book reaches its sixth edition, it obviously meets with approval and has justified its existence. Twenty-seven years have elapsed since the first edition of this eminently practical book appeared, and the present updated edition is highly suitable for students of architecture, construction, surveying and structural engineering at higher technician and degree level, as well as being a useful reference manual for those in practice. It emphasises practical applications without assuming previous experience on the part of the reader.
The first three chapters deal broadly with the nature and function of buildings and the building process, building methodology and the structural behaviour of the various building elements. Following chapters provide detailed cover of foundations, soils and site investigations; masonry, brickwork and blockwork, external claddings and partitions; building frames; flat and pitched roofs; flues and chimneys; design and construction of timber, brick and concrete stairs; and temporary works, timbering, centring and formwork.
The interrelationship of the elements of construction is acknowledged by internal cross referencing and by the notes provided for each chapter. References are also given for other books in the Mitchell's Building Series, especially the companion volume, which expands and develops some of the subjects dealt with only briefly in Part 1.
The author makes it clear in the foreword that the primary function of the book is not to provide information on how things are done but rather to explain why things are done, with efficiency and economy of design firmly in mind. The illustrations are clear and plentiful, but a few more basic dimensions would have been helpful, especially to the inexperienced reader. Apart from this sole criticism, the volume is well worth the price of £20.00.
Source
Construction Manager
