Building Construction handbook

Thoroughly rewritten and revised, this singularly comprehensive handbook is a concise, reliable guide to every facet of modern building design and construction. Expert contributors, extensive illustration, step-by-step presentation in language the nonspecialist can understnad combine to make this one convenient volume the first place to turn to for authoritative explanations, data, and advice on the full range of potential building problems. Virtually a new book, the third edition of this well-known and widely used reference incorporates the latest developments in construction technology. Basic changes in design specifications, the introduction of new materials and dimensions for building products, effective techniques for environment control and energy conservation, and innovations in building practices have all been implemented since the publication of the secon edition. These numerous breakthroughs necessitated the reworking of almost every existing section and the addition of several new sections. This totally new material includes gineered brick masonry, covering the rational design of brick walls, and fire protection, offering protection, offering practical guidelines for avoiding injury and property damage. New authors bring fresh viewpoints, ideas, and methods to estimating building construction costs and construction management. The acoustics section has been rewritten to stress basic principles of sound control and sound measurement, and the section on the business, arts and profession o architechture gives solid advice on the best methods to obtain and profitably execute design contracts. Also, significant data has been added on structural dynamics, the finite-element methof, the slurry french method for constructing foundations, prestressed anchorages for sheeting, new glass materials, and new methods of window installation. Written to satisfy the practical, on-the-job needs of a variety of readers, this handbook provides the fundamentals but avoids duplicating conventional, readily available design tables, It ais decision-making by outlining the whys as well as the hows of using various techniques, materials, and equipment. The twenty-six contributing authors all have long experience in their respective fields and have tried to anticipate your needs. This book can save you time and work because these experts have sifted through numerous ways of doing different tasks and have recommended the best and shortest ways. It offers many new ideas that you can use in your work. So no matter what your interest--architect, engineer, contractor, inspector, or management--you will find the Building Construction Handbook to be the one reference you can always count on to deliver the information you need to get the job done, the right way, the efficient way, the economical way.