Understanding Building Failures (Paperback)

James Douglas

ISBN 10: 0415508797 / ISBN 13: 9780415508797

Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd, London, 2013

Paperback. 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 classic textbook provides a solid introduction to the study of defects in buildings and, subsequently, to good practice in surveying, conservation and repair. With new material on the latest technologies and procedures, and updated lists of further reading for the UK and USA, this remains an excellent companion for practitioners and students alike. Shipping may be from our UK warehouse or from our Australian or US warehouses, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780415508797

Synopsis:

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.

About the Author:

James Douglas retired as a Lecturer and Course Leader in Building Surveying at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, at the end of December 2009. He qualified as a chartered building surveyor in 1986 after over twelve years in the public sector, dealing primarily with the maintenance and adaptation of building. In 1992 the College of Estate Management appointed him as a Visiting Lecturer in Technology, teaching and tutoring building technology and maintenance technology on its Diploma in Surveying course. In December 2012, as this book was nearing completion, he passed away after a long battle with illness.  

Bill Ransom was a government research scientist working for the Building Research Establishment (BRE), the Department of the Environment and the Colonial Office travelling widely abroad to help resolve problems in construction technology. He retired in 1981 as head of the Building Integrity Division of the BRE and now lives in Devon.

Bibliographic Details

Title: Understanding Building Failures (Paperback)
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd, London
Publication Date: 2013
Binding: Paperback
Condition: new
Edition: 4th Edition