Why do award-winning 'green' buildings so often have higher energy bills than ordinary buildings? Why do expensive refurbishments deliver outcomes that are far from the promises of improved sustainability? Why does your building have high running costs and still the occupants complain about being too cold or too hot and are otherwise dissatisfied? The UK's failure to produce buildings that are comfortable with excellent energy performance should be regarded as a national scandal. Yet achieving low energy buildings does not involve learning rocket science: just some basic building physics, a clear language for talking meaningfully about energy-efficient outcomes with all those in the buildings cycle, and an outlook that casts a new low energy perspective on old problems. This book provides that common language. It outlines a path towards understanding what makes for a good quality low energy building, the stakeholders that need to be engaged, and encourages new ways of thinking about how to reduce energy use and costs.

First published in 1983, this study investigates and compares three leading firms in the British iron and steel industry between 1914 and 1939, analysing their strategies, boardroom politics, and their responses to the problems posed by the Great War and by the vicissitudes of the 1920s and '30s. Jonathan Boswell illuminates certain issues that are of perennial importance for students of business: rationality and 'error' in decision-making, ethics, centralisation versus decentralisation, and the question of cyclical phases. The central theme throughout is the pursuit of three partly conflicting objectives: growth, efficiency and social action. The trade-offs between these three pursuits are used to examine significant contrasts in corporate strategies and behaviour, including towards government and public opinion. Boswell's rejection of economic determinism; his insistence that managerial influences fall into definable long-run patterns; and his theses on managerial specialisation and long-term policy biases confront fundamental issues for theories of the firm.

Value management has been applied to construction projects throughout the world, but in some regions, it is just gaining popularity. Therefore, it is necessary to create awareness of value management among stakeholders and understand various obstacles to its implementation. Value Management Implementation in Construction addresses various factors that can enhance the application of the discipline as well as its adoption among concerned stakeholders. This book discusses the practice of value management in various developed and developing countries by exposing the techniques and models that can be employed in value management exercises, with a view to achieving sustainable development while delivering projects to the satisfaction of clients. This book provides guidance on value management as a tool for improving the delivery of infrastructural projects for construction professionals, employers of labour, researchers and students alike with evidence from various countries around the world.

This book provides a basic outline of the history of the American steel industry, a sector of the economy that has been an important part of the industrial system. The book starts with the 1830's, when the American iron and steel industry resembled the traditional iron producing sector that had existed in the old world for centuries, and it ends in 2001. The product of this industry, steel, is an alloy of iron and carbon that has become the most used metal in the world. The very size of the steel industry and its position in the modern economy give it an unusual relevance to the economic, social, and political system.

First published in 1988, this book analyses the changes that took place in the economic organisation of the British construction industry throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, in particular considering its social and economic structure and examining the causes of its poor industrial record. Michael Ball describes how the major firms survived the economic slump between 1973 and 1982 - when construction workloads collapsed - by substantially restructuring their operations, relationships with clients, workforces and subcontractors. Detailed attention is paid to construction firms, the workers they employ, the influence of trade unionism and the role of other agencies in the building process. Reissued at a particularly challenging time for the British construction industry, this relevant and practical title will be of value to students and academics of economics and social change, as well as those on courses for construction professionals.

NEC Managing Reality: A Practical Guide to Applying NEC3 is a series of books written by NEC experts well versed in using the NEC `at the coal face' that explain how the NEC can be used to optimum benefit in everyday environments. The second edition includes full updates to each of the five books: Introduction to the engineering and construction contract; Procuring an engineering and construction contract; Managing the contract; Managing change; Managing procedures. This new edition focuses solely on NEC3, with new practical examples from across the world. Sections on disallowable cost, defects, roles/responsibilities and schedule of cost components have been expanded and enhanced.

Concrete is by far the most common building material- accounting for twice the volume of all other such materials combined. With such a huge global economic impact, the industry has a correspondingly considerable responsibility to use it sustainably. Written by experts who pioneered research into environmental issues and concrete, Concrete and Sustainability examines the sustainability issues of the world's main construction material and proposes attainable solutions. It provides a complete overview of the topic and tackles the complexity of the challenges from different angles. This book offers new data regarding the social and economic importance of concrete and proposes a discussion centered on a holistic approach in terms of resource availability, technical viability, economic feasibility, and environmental compatibility. The authors attribute a growing worldwide concern and understanding of sustainability issues, and an increased focus on climate change as the catalyst in this process. Instead of offering detailed technical advice or recommendations on sustainable issues, they provide examples showcasing sustainability efforts taking place in the concrete environment worldwide. The book includes examples and ideas for solutions from a large number of countries from across the globe. It presents a holistic and more complete overview of the emission and absorption topic, takes a look at the challenges from a combined old and new world viewing platform and offers an exploration of issues from a social and economic perspective. Concrete and Sustainability details the various rules and regulations that the industry is facing, discusses the various environmental challenges, and explores its impact. As emission, absorptions, and recycling have been the most central elements of discussion in the cement and concrete environment so far, these topics each receive their own chapters. This book also discusses other issues of concern within the various platforms in the industry, as well as future developments, and provides a comprehensive reference list.

Originally published in 1986, The Permafrost Environment examines how the search for oil, gas and minerals in the arctic region instigated new and vitally important needs to understand the permafrost environment. The construction of roads, airfields, buildings and pipelines in this inhospitable environment has posed enormous problems for engineers and geologists. This book is a comprehensive review of the nature of the permafrost environment and its utilization. It looks at environmental processes and their effects and examines the management problems which result. It provides a detailed look at how normal procedures for construction etc. need to be modified to cope with the special conditions and it gives examples from throughout the arctic region, including Canada, Siberia, Alaska, Greenland and Northern Scandinavia.

Construction Economics provides students with the principles underlying the relationship between economic theory and the construction industry. Its new approach specifically examines the problems of securing sustainable construction and this fifth edition broadens the message to address the immediacy of the problems relating to the carbon-based world that we have constructed. Embracing the whole process of the construction life cycle, the new edition discusses the economic impact of the Covid pandemic on the industry and the broader implications of the promise to build back better. It also includes new coverage of the opportunities offered by technology, the establishment of higher standards to achieve greater energy efficiency and wellbeing, the adoption of the principles of a circular economy, the retrofit of existing buildings and the recycling of materials. New sections also highlight the methodology of the subject to identify the boundaries of construction economics and clarify what to expect and what can be achieved. As with previous editions, it retains a tried and tested format including: a clear and user-friendly style use of colour for emphasis regular summaries of key points a glossary of key terms extensive use of tables, figures and data readings from Construction Management and Economics tutorial questions to review each section research guidance reviews of useful websites. This invaluable textbook is essential reading across a wide range of disciplines. It provides the economic context to the relevance of sustainability and debates about climate change, highlighting the vital contributions that surveyors, contractors, project managers, engineers, architects and developers can offer to take it forward.

Now in its fourth edition, this textbook confronts many of the major problems which can arise in claims situations. It employs a systematic approach and is supported by extensive reference to UK and international case law. The negotiation and settlement of claims is an essential - but often overlooked - element of the construction industry, and this troubleshooting guide can help construction professionals, students and contractors to protect themselves against costly claims. Helpful explanatory diagrams make this book an indispensable resource for tackling various types of claims both in the UK and internationally. This text is the essential guide for construction professionals, contractors, undergraduate and postgraduate students alike. It will save professionals and contractors time and money and will prepare students for the reality of the construction industry.

First published in 1992, this Routledge Revival sees the reissue of a truly original exploration of the nature of urbanization and capitalism. Linda Clarke's vital work argues that: Urbanization is a product of the social human labour engaged in building as well as a concentration of the labour force. The quality of the labour process determines the development of production. Changes to the built environment reflect changes in the production process and, in particular, the development of wage labour. To support these arguments, the author identifies a qualitatively new historical stage of capitalist building production involving a significant expansion of wage labour, and hence capital, and the transition from artisan to industrial production. Linda Clarke draws from a wide range of original material relating to the development of London from the mid-eighteenth to the early nineteenth century to provide a complete description of the development process: materials extraction, roadbuilding, housebuilding, paving, cleansing, etc; profiles of builders and contractors involved, and a picture of the new working class communities, as in Somers Town - their living conditions, population, working environment, and politics.

The Dictionary of Construction Terms offers clear and concise explanations of the most commonly encountered legal and technical terms, phrases and abbreviations used throughout the construction industry. It will save valuable time when searching for an authoritative explanation of a frequently used term and will become a practical reference for construction lawyers, practitioners and students, as well as those in related industries including planning, property and insurance.

Why you should buy this book:

• There is no other all-inclusive collection of legal and technical terms available at present
• Convenient source of information for lawyers, practitioners and students
• Includes a list of common technical acronyms (ie. DPC, DPM, FFL)
• Lists acronyms of common institutions such as the ICE, JCT and ACE

Examples of definitions:

Modular construction

A modern construction method whereby the building is constructed using prefabricated or pre-assembled building sections or modules. The three-dimensional building sections are typically fabricated and assembled in an enclosed factory environment and then delivered to site, ready for installation. Modular construction is aimed at minimising construction time by standardising design components, providing consistent quality and allowing site preparation and building activities to commence concurrently with the construction of the factory-made modules.

Snagging

The process of formally inspecting the construction works to identify any incomplete works or defects in completed works. A snagging list (or punch list ) is a schedule of defects resulting from this inspection. These items typically need to be rectified prior to the issuing of a completion certificate or handing-over of the works although in some cases a completion certificate will be issued with a snagging list attached.

The UK construction industry is the sixth largest industry in the UK in terms of turnover. During the last decade, it has undergone an unprecedented period of self-examination, including input from most of the leaders of the major suppliers and clients as well as from leading politicians, civil servants and political advisers. From 1993 to 2003, government and industry collaborated closely to achieve political and structural change in the industry and to bring about nothing less than a re-organization of the way it undertakes its business. This key text is an objective presentation of the critical issues inherent in the construction industry during this time. Providing invaluable source material for students of government/industry relations, industry practitioners and clients, and for economic and social commentators, this valuable resource draws on revealing personal accounts from politicians, civil servants, advisers and industry leaders, as well as factual reportage, archives and official papers of the period. Informative and enlightening, this book objectively details and documents exactly what happened at this time, and the reasons for it, and offers an unbiased interpretation of the successes or failures of the various initiatives that emerged, including the Movement for Innovation, Rethinking Construction and Constructing Excellence.

There has never been available a compilation of information on steel estimating such as this one in the entire history of steel fabrication. Designed to provide enough information to train someone new in all the aspects of becoming a steel estimator, this manual is ideal for anyone who wants to learn how to become a steel estimator, as well as anyone who wants to learn the entire process including many trade secrets. It is a must have for architects, engineers, general contractors, owners and developers that need to know about steel. The Steel Estimator The Pricing Breakdown The Bid Letter The Bid Documents The Contract Drawings The Steel Materials Reading Structural Drawings Structural Steel Material Listing Reading Architectural Drawings Fabrication Labor Paint and Painting Shipping and Handling Notes and References

Through a combination of rich architectural and ethnographic description, this study of apprenticeship and human spatial cognition provides a fascinating insight into the daily lives and activities of a professional class of craftsmen, and investigates the unique teaching-learning processes that distinguish their trade and mould both their professional and social characters.

First published in 1992, this Routledge Revival sees the reissue of a truly original exploration of the nature of urbanization and capitalism. Linda Clarke's vital work argues that: Urbanization is a product of the social human labour engaged in building as well as a concentration of the labour force. The quality of the labour process determines the development of production. Changes to the built environment reflect changes in the production process and, in particular, the development of wage labour. To support these arguments, the author identifies a qualitatively new historical stage of capitalist building production involving a significant expansion of wage labour, and hence capital, and the transition from artisan to industrial production. Linda Clarke draws from a wide range of original material relating to the development of London from the mid-eighteenth to the early nineteenth century to provide a complete description of the development process: materials extraction, roadbuilding, housebuilding, paving, cleansing, etc; profiles of builders and contractors involved, and a picture of the new working class communities, as in Somers Town - their living conditions, population, working environment, and politics.

First Published in 2011. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

The authors address the problems of determining the implications of different environmental standards and public policies by investigating their effect on industrial costs and resource use within linear-programming framework. Originally published in 1976

* Focus on seven critical, fast-paced industries where innovation capability is essential * Written by two prominent thought leaders with 50 years of combined experience working with hundreds of companies across industries * Provides templates to immediately put the book's frameworks in place to develop an organization's innovation plan

The family firm, once regarded as a transitory phenomenon on the way to a more sophisticated model of business organization, is now recognized internationally as an enduring element in modern industrial capitalism. Collen offers an informed and accessible discussion of a significant family-run institution which has operated throughout the island of Ireland since its foundation. The author makes use of untapped archival sources to analyse the fortunes of the company and illuminate the changing political, economic and social realities that shaped the context for its development. He explores how a family enterprise adapted to the far-reaching transformation of politics and society in Ireland over a period of two centuries. The Collen family business has survived economic depression, two World Wars, and the Troubles in Northern Ireland with a combination of resilience and business acumen. This book presents a distinctive Irish perspective on the evolution and persistence of family business, while casting new light on the commercial development of Dublin during the last two hundred years. Collen will be of use to scholars of modern Irish history, economic development, architecture, civil engineering, business and public policy and will be invaluable for all those with a professional interest in Irish business and family enterprise.

The role that communities have to play in the evolution and implementation of an effective strategy is often overlooked, despite the fact that it is becoming increasingly important and complex. This book addresses how consulting and contracting firms in the construction and engineering industries integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into business strategy and how this translates into better business performance. In the context of the current global drive towards sustainability, it seeks to untangle the rhetoric and reality of CSR, providing a guide to effective and meaningful engagement with the community in the boardroom.

Ideas, concepts, theories and debates in the previously separate areas of corporate performance; corporate social responsibility; corporate strategy and; corporate governance are integrated for the first time in this book, promoting a more liberal and wider debate about CSR. The result is an important and timely examination of a new challenge which faces every firm in the engineering and construction industry, from the very largest transnational corporations, to consultants and to the many thousands of small and medium sized enterprises that employ the vast majority of people in the industry.

Contemporary research is integrated with practice throughout this book in a clear and easy-to-follow style. The extensive use of real-life examples ensures that the content is of value to managers who have to deal with the reality of the industry on a day-to-day basis. The case studies of some of the world's leading firms provide rich qualitative data to support the arguments and are an excellent source of learning and teaching material to the subject of CSR for students.

The role that communities have to play in the evolution and implementation of an effective strategy is often overlooked, despite the fact that it is becoming increasingly important and complex. This book addresses how consulting and contracting firms in the construction and engineering industries integrate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) into business strategy and how this translates into better business performance. In the context of the current global drive towards sustainability, it seeks to untangle the rhetoric and reality of CSR, providing a guide to effective and meaningful engagement with the community in the boardroom. Ideas, concepts, theories and debates in the previously separate areas of corporate performance; corporate social responsibility; corporate strategy and; corporate governance are integrated for the first time in this book, promoting a more liberal and wider debate about CSR. The result is an important and timely examination of a new challenge which faces every firm in the engineering and construction industry, from the very largest transnational corporations, to consultants and to the many thousands of small and medium sized enterprises that employ the vast majority of people in the industry. Contemporary research is integrated with practice throughout this book in a clear and easy-to-follow style. The extensive use of real-life examples ensures that the content is of value to managers who have to deal with the reality of the industry on a day-to-day basis. The case studies of some of the world's leading firms provide rich qualitative data to support the arguments and are an excellent source of learning and teaching material to the subject of CSR for students.

This is the first book to link construction management with various digital tools with a view to enhancing sustainability of construction projects. Can be adopted as a research guide, framework, and reference on sustainable construction, the concept of sustainable projects, digitalisation in the construction industry, and the fourth industrial revolution.

Global construction data is vital for contractors, governments, international organisations, policy makers, academic researchers and statisticians. As the global population of the world expands, the sustainability of the built environment raises the political agenda and the need to manage infrastructure and buildings in both urban and rural contexts becomes ever more pressing. How much more can the built environment grow and how can it be managed sustainably? This edited volume addresses how we can find a possible way through the inconsistencies between national construction data sets to devise a consistent approach to national construction data to further the global sustainability agenda and inform policy making. This search begins in Part I, which looks at the methods and definitions used in construction statistics in different countries. Part II considers examples of different types of construction data from the cost of materials, measuring work on high rise buildings and existing stock. In Part III, the authors consider construction data internationally, beginning with the problem of comparing data in different countries using exchange rates and purchasing power parities (PPPs), comparing innovation processes in different countries and looking at the provision of building design internationally. In Part IV, the international theme is continued by comparing accounting practices and company performance in different countries and concludes with an international comparison of construction industries. This book raises awareness of the significance of the construction industry globally and the importance of data to measure it. It informs the discussion of the best ways of handling the consequences of policies affecting the built environment and the effect of the built environment on the rest of the economy and society. It is essential reading for international economists, construction industry consultants, policy makers, construction statisticians and academics.

Improved efficiency and effectiveness in the construction industry provide huge potential savings. Various forms of relational contracting such as partnering, alliancing, public private partnership (PPP), and joint venture are good examples of this.

Relational Contracting for Construction Excellence presents the principles of relational contracting, practicalities and a series of short case studies. Principles begins with the fundamentals then covers development in major countries, definitions of relational contracting, their benefits, difficulties, critical success factors and key performance indicators. Practice includes the relational contracting approach and process in general, and significant factors which make workshops successful, at whatever stage of the process. A number of real-life case studies from the UK, USA, Australia, and Hong Kong are provided.

Since the book draws on a combination of practical consultancy works and university research, a wide range of readers will find it useful, i.e. from industrial practitioners to undergraduate students.