We spend most of our lives in buildings and almost every building is unique. The purpose of this book is to explain what buildings are and to provide an integrated overview of how they are built and sustained.
The book does not presume any specialist knowledge of buildings, seeking instead to explain why the different groups involved in designing, constructing, managing and occupying them follow certain procedures. It is particularly concerned with the generation and circulation of information between these groups. In taking this view, the book considers the recommendations of Sir Michael Latham's 1994 report Constructing the Team which called for better cohesion and communication between specialists in the construction industry.


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The durability and service life of building materials and components is a topic of growing interest all over the world. The pursuit of sustainable development is highlighting such issues as life cycle assessment of materials and building products, recycling and reuse of materials, use of substitute raw materials etc., and in this way the demand for knowledge on degradation factors and processes, service life data and life cycle economy. In all countries the stock of building is growing. An estimate is that the built environment - buildings and infrastructure - constitute more than 50 per cent of the real capital of each country. The effective and environmentally friendly management and renewal of these investments, calls for improved abilities to predict service life, cost effective building materials with well documented long-term behaviour and improved procedures to maintain the serviceability of building products. Research into durability aims at increasing the knowledge base in all these areas. This book presents the latest research and development and offers researchers and practitioners articles from around the world on the main topics: prediction methods and modelling; measurement a

The two themes of integration of structural and durability design, and integration of concrete technologies in relation to global environmental issues are drawn together in this text. It presents the views of international researchers and engineers on these key topics as the 21st century approaches. Derived from a workshop on rational design of concrete structures held in Hakodate, Japan, in August 1995, the book provides a focus for debate about the ways in which concrete technologies around the world must respond to the necessity of ensuring that concrete construction achieves higher levels of durability, and about the growing imperative to meet higher environmental standards in concrete production and use.

Concrete is ubiquitous and unique, found in every developed and developing country. Indeed, there are no alternatives to concrete as a volume construction material for infrastructure. This raises important questions of how concrete should be designed and constructed for cost effective use in the the short and long term, and to encourage further radical development. Equally, it must be environmentally friendly during manufacture, in an aesthetic presentation in structures and in the containment of harmful materials. The central theme of the Congress is "Concrete in the Service of Mankind", under which five self-contained Conferences, each dealing with a particular aspect, are planned. The Congress offers opportunity to discuss how to improve and extend this service to mankind using responsible exploitation, underwritten by sound technical understanding and research base. It brings together the shared skills and experience of the various disciplines involved in the construction process world wide. This major publication continues the tradition established by Dundee University of organizing major international conferences every three years dealing with some aspect of concrete and also

An important state-of-the-art report prepared by RILEM Technical Committee 108 ICC. It has been written by a team of leading international experts from the UK, USA, Canada, Israel, Germany, Denmark, South Africa, Italy and France. Research studies over recent years in the field of cement science have focused on the behaviour of the interfaces between the components of cement-based materials. The techniques used in other areas of materials science are being applied to the complex materials found in cements and concretes, and this book provides a significant survey of the present state of the art.

The construction industry contributes to growth and economic development in countries around the world, but it can also be wasteful and environmentally damaging. Traditionally, the success of construction projects is measured in term of time, cost, and quality; however, due to changing clients' demands and expectations and complexity of projects, project goals are no longer limited to the conventional three indicators. The introduction of sustainability principle in every sector of the economy, especially through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs), has also affected the measures of project success. There is the need for construction projects to adopt sustainable principles such as reduce, reuse, and recycle with a view to ensuring that projects are economical, people oriented, environmentally friendly and technically appropriate. Oke builds on years of knowledge and research providing a comprehensive discussion on various metrics and variables for measuring the success and performance of sustainable construction projects; culminating in an essential text for various stakeholders concerned with the management and administration of construction and infrastructure projects in the Architecture, Engineering, Construction and Operation (AECO) industry.

Protection against fire and prevention of explosion is vital in a modern industrial economy. Only recently have fire science and related risk assessment become serious areas of academic study. This published proceedings of the First European Conference on Fire Engineering and Emergency Planning provides an authoritative base of materials covering the research of the late 1990s, applications and hypotheses as a cumulative reference work and a platform for exchanges of ideas within the academic fire community.

Contents - Preface - 1. The Physical Background - 2. The Chemical Background - 3. The Measurement of Resistivity - 4. Dispersion - 5. Gaseous Dielectrics - 6. The Breakdown of Solid Dielectrics - 7. The Measurement of Dielectric Loss - 8. Special Techniques for Liquids - 9. Tests on Complete Equipment - Index -

A manual of constructional details which shows how successful results in acoustic design can be achieved by correct use of building materials, products and components. Details are drawn to scale and carry informative labelling and supplementary text. This updated and revised edition of an established reference book, in an improved format and layout, will be a welcome addition to current reference works on acoustic design.

At some point, most home-owners have to make a choice: whether to move or extend their property. In the case of the latter, there is a further choice - to put the whole matter into other hands or to try to understand the processes involved so that the whole business is carried out efficiently and cost-effectively. Those working or planning to work in the construction industry also need to be reminded of the pitfalls of local authority requirements, building control and planning, and this text provides an account of the necessary action.

This book provides a comprehensive and authoritative review of durability of the frost resistance of concrete. It will enable both concrete materials specialists and practising engineers to better understand the deterioration processes which take place during freezing and thawing, and the effects of de-icing salts on concrete. It shows how test procedures can be used to provide worthwhile information and explains the many problems associated with their use. Durability of Concrete in Cold Climates explains how concrete can be designed and produced to be durable in cold environments, through careful selection of materials, mixture composition and proper use of air entrainment. It is fully illustrated with photographs and diagrams and contains over 250 references to sources and other publications. The main topics covered are: theories of frost ction and de-icer salt scaling mechanisms; laboratory tests; influence of materials and mix characteristics; air entrainment; field performance; and frost durability of dry concretes.

A state-of-the-art report prepared by RILEM Technical Committee 116-PCD. At present, durability of concrete is controlled by specifying the materials to be used, the methods of mixing, placing, curing and so on. This approach is often unsatisfactory and it is a common objective of concrete researchers and engineers to develop performance criteria which allow the potential durability of a particular concrete mix or structure to be estimated. However, the complexity of concrete as a material and the difficulty of developing consistent and reliable test methods has meant that progress has been slow. International interest in the subject is growing strongly with the development of international standards and so this book is very timely in giving an authoritative, international review of the subject. It will set the scene for the next few years as a key source of information and advice.

Post-tensioning is the most versatile form of pre stressing, a technique which enables engineers to make the most effective use of the material properties of concrete, and so to design structural elements which are strong, slender and efficient. Design in post-tensioned concrete is not difficult and, if done properly, can contribute significantly to the economy and the aesthetic qualities of a building. Post-tensioned floors have found widespread use in office buildings and car park structures, and are also frequently employed in warehouses and public buildings. However, in spite of this, most prestressed concrete texts devote comparatively little attention to floors, concentrating instead on beam elements. This book answers the need for a comprehensive treatment of post-tensioned floor design.

This text provides a review of the properties and use of the principal chemical admixtures for concrete, including over 250 references to key literature sources. Coverage of each admixture follows a standard format, so the reader is able to find relevant information on each type easily. The introductory chapter explains the interaction of admixtures in the cement-water system. The following four chapters deal with admixtures in common use: air extraining admixtures; hardening accelerators; high-range water reducers (superplasticizers); water reducing/retarding admixtures. Less commonly used admixtures are also discussed, including topics for special applications: anti-washout admixtures for underwater concrete; corrosion inhibitors; gas forming admixtures; pumping aids; shotcrete admixtures. This book should be of interest to concrete technologists worldwide in cement companies, ready mixed and precast concrete suppliers; admixture manufacturers (CAA members in UK); civil engineers; researchers and academics in civil engineering departments.

Ferrocement is a versatile, construction material, with applications in low cost housing, rehabilitation, strengthening and repair of structures, especially in the developing world. The material can also be used in more advanced constructions for thin shell structures. This book forms the proceedings of the Fifth International Symposium on Ferrocement. It presents the latest developments in research and application of the material and should serve as a useful reference for all those interested in the material. This includes both researchers in all parts of the world, but also those responsible for low cost housing and construction in developing countries, in South America, Africa and the Far East. This book should be of interest to researchers concerned with building materials, government and international agencies involved with low cost housing, and repair specialists, consultants, contractors and material suppliers.

It brings together, in a concise format, the key elements of the loads produced from explosive sources, how they interact with structures and the way structures respond to them. Explosive sources include gas, high explosives, dust and nuclear materials.
It presents quantitative information and design methods in a useable form without recourse to extensive mathematical analysis. The authors, Peter Smith and John Hetherington, are staff members at the Royal Military College of Science in Shrivenham and have been instrumental in establishing an active group comprising lecturing and research staff concerned with the response of structures to blast and ballistic loading.
Comprehensive coverage of a wide threat spectrum
Accessible style supported by relevant worked examples

This book presents Proceedings of the International Conference on Intelligent Systems and Networks (ICISN 2022), held at Hanoi in Vietnam. It includes peer reviewed high quality articles on Intelligent System and Networks. It brings together professionals and researchers in the area and presents a platform for exchange of ideas and to foster future collaboration. The topics covered in this book include- Foundations of Computer Science; Computational Intelligence Language and speech processing; Software Engineering Software development methods; Wireless Communications Signal Processing for Communications; Electronics track IoT and Sensor Systems Embedded Systems; etc.

This book tackles the problem of complexity within IT environments, i.e., "Cybercomplexity," which is generally recognized as a principal source of cybersecurity risk. The book first defines complexity and simplifies its analysis by assuming a probabilistic approach to security risk management. It then proposes a simple model of cybercomplexity that is based on Shannon entropy, a basic concept in information theory. The key drivers of cybercomplexity emerge from this model, where these drivers reveal the scale-dependence of cybersecurity risk and explain why macroscopic security controls are required to address cybersecurity risk on an enterprise scale. The significant operational implications of cybercomplexity are also discussed, thereby providing both a theoretical framework and a practical guide to addressing this longstanding problem in cybersecurity risk management.

This book forms the Proceedings of the International Seminar held by the Institution of Structural Engineers and the Building Research Establishment in Brighton in April 1993. It brings together contributions from 15 countries on recent innovations in building and construction. Developments in the design of structures, improvements in existing materials and the introduction of new materials have historically gone hand-in-hand. The limited range of materials available for construction at any one time dictates the practical range of structural form and performance. It follows that current design methods, materials and construction techniques may not be suitable to meet the demands of particular applications. The introduction of a new material, or new practice may move the performance of the construction away from that which is reasonably well understood in the existing population of structures. By so doing, it may also lead to behaviour which cannot be adequately predicted by the current design methods. Developments such as these therefore bring risks as well as benefits. Innovations required to meet the clients' needs can also have a profound effect on the built environment. It is i

This book forms the proceedings of the International RILEM Workshop held in Paisley in March 1993. It contains contributions on theoretical and practical aspects of the use of special concretes, with a particular focus on their behaviour in the fresh state. A significant and increasing proportion of concrete mixes differ considerably from ordinary mixes. These are used where high performance is needed or for special applications, such as high strength concrete, underwater concrete, flowing concrete, sprayed concrete. Mixes containing fibres, silica fume, polymers, special aggregates and cements, also demand a different approach to normal practice, such as the use of modified mixing equipment. Outstanding performance of special concretes can be achieved but successful applications depend strongly on the behaviour of the mixes when fresh. At present there is insufficient guidance on the properties, specification, methods of assessment and compliance testing of fresh special concrete. This book brings together expert contributions in this fast developing field and aims to assist civil engineering and concrete technologists concerned with improving the quantity and economy of construct

With the growth in export markets for mechanical/electrical services and the expansion of international contracting, it has become more and more important that an agreed international vocabulary is settled for the many specialist terms and descriptions involved in the industry. Heating, ventilating and air conditioning are among the more complex specializations within the construction industry, making the need for an internationally agreed vocabulary even greater. "The International Dictionary of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning" is the result of a collaborative effort by an international panel of professional engineers set up by REHVA. Each member of the panel has considerable experience in this specialist engineering field and is responsible for the terms in his own mother tongue, thus ensuring the accuracy and general acceptability of the terms and translations given. The dictionary comprises two major divisions. The main sequence of the book consists of some 4,000 terms given in English, in alphabetical order, with their translations. The remainder of the book consists of alphabetical indexes for the other eleven languages covered: French, German, Italian, Danish, Finn

Sports grounds are valuable assets which need to be constructed and maintained properly for the particular sport or sports they serve in order that they perform consistently well. This detailed, practical guide provides information on the construction and maintenance of sports grounds. In part one, the text explores the extent to which games differ in their requirements and how these various requirements can be met by growing grass in natural, modified or specifically constructed soils. Drainage design and choice of materials are first explored theoretically, but this then leads on to a relatively simple, cost effective approach to design, based on careful choice of a limited range of precisely defined but readily available materials. In the second part, the general principles are applied to specific examples of modern construction, described in detail sufficient to form the basis of actual specifications. The examples cover the construction and maintenance of grass pitches suitable for vigorous winter games such as rugby and soccer, contrasted with construction for golf and bowls where the nature of the game requires fine turf. Hockey and cricket are treated as games somewhat inte

The need for demolition, repair and renewal of concrete and masonry structures is growing all over the world. In recent years natural disasters, such as earthquakes, and war activities in many countries have caused very extensive damage to urban areas. This has led to the need for effective methods of assessing structural damage, site clearance and reconstruction. This book presents and discusses worldwide technical developments in the fields of demolition and recycling. The necessary theoretical technical background has accumulated, but knowledge is not being translated into practice. In particular, information is needed on standards and guidelines to promote quick and safe demolition and reuse of concrete and masonry. RILEM has been actively involved in this field for over ten years, through the work of its Technical Committees and the organization of International Symposia. This book forms the Proceedings of the Third Symposium, held in Odense, Denmark in October 1993, and follows the earlier events in Rotterdam in 1985 and Tokyo in 1988. The book will be invaluable for civil engineers, planners, contractors and researchers, and for government authorities and specialists in urban development and disaster mitigation.