Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems 2009 Update

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Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems 2009 Update

Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems 2009 Update builds on the previous version and incorporates the latest updates available. Written by an author team with decades of experience in architecture, building construction, engineering, and teaching, Building Construction: Principles, Materials and Systems 2009 Update is a comprehensive and fully illustrated introduction to construction methods and materials.

List Price $115.40
Website Price $109.63

Author: Madan Mehta, Diane Armpriest, Walter Scarborough
Format: Hardcover
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 1024

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Description

For one or two semester courses in Construction Methods and Materials and Design courses in Architecture.

The science of building construction and design is evolving more quickly than ever before. The "2009 Update" of this outstanding text builds on the previous version and incorporates the latest updates available. Written by an author team with decades of experience in architecture, building construction, engineering, and teaching, Building Construction: Principles, Materials and Systems 2009 Update is a comprehensive and fully illustrated introduction to construction methods and materials.

Continuing on with the books unique organization - Principles of Construction are covered in Part One and Materials and Systems of Construction are covered in Part Two - allows for complete coverage of both the basic principles and specific materials and systems of building construction. This organization fosters a real understanding of general concepts and develops skills that will sustain over time. Emphasizing a visual approach to learning, it includes more than 1,400 original illustrations and an extra large trim size (9" x 12") that provides an open and inviting layout that readers are sure to appreciate.

Organization and Approach

A unique organization creates an unparalleled exploration of building construction principles of construction are covered in Part 1, and materials and systems of construction are covered in Part 2 – providing students with a balanced learning approach.
A focus on principles in Part 1 emphasizes the basic principles common to the performance of most building materials. By doing this in the classroom, the authors have experienced that they can preclude or reduce repetition when progressing from one material or system to another later on in the course. This focus also encourages critical thinking and informed decision-making related to building materials and methods of construction. These principles will sustain over time even as materials and systems/assemblies are bound to change.
The logical organization in Part 2 presents the materials and systems in an order based on the extent of their use in the working world.
Extensive cross-referencing allows for quick and thorough referencing from Part 2 (Materials and Systems) to the underlying principles in Part 1 (Principles of Construction). This gives instructors and students maximum flexibility and the ability to start with Part 2 if they preferred. This may be particularly appealing for a one semester course.

Content, Illustrations, and Pedagogy

Hundreds of original photographs and drawings have been developed specifically for this text – clearly illustrating difficult concepts and ideas.
An extra-large trim size of 9" x 12" allows for an open and inviting layout so students can learn easily and effortlessly.
Numerous examples with solutions prepare students for exams and real-world applications.
Principles in Practice sections demonstrate practical applications of key concepts and reinforce the fundamentals that will sustain over time.
A chapter on "Sustainable Construction" and the Focus on Sustainability boxes highlighted throughout the text address contemporary "green" issues that face the construction industry today.
Practice Quizzes are integrated within each chapter allowing readers to test their comprehension before moving on to additional concepts.
Expand Your Knowledge boxes offer readers the opportunity to learn more about a relevant topic being discussed in the main body of the text.
Margin Notes include additional information and help clarify selected topics.
End of chapter Key Terms, Review Questions, Selected Websites and suggestions for Further Reading make studying for exams or doing additional research a breeze.

Author Team and Development Process

A uniquely qualified author team builds on the professional experience of an architect, engineer, construction site manager and academic.
A team of expert technical reviewers participated in an unparalleled review process – one where field experts reviewed raw manuscript for technical and conceptual accuracy.
Another team of experienced educators contributed exhaustive insights during the development process – insights and suggestions that were later incorporated into the book.

This updated edition has been completed revised throughout to reflect:

The 2009 International Building Code
The 2009 International Energy Conservation Code
All "Sustainability" Info corresponds to LEED 2009

From the Preface
About this Book
The science of building construction is evolving more quickly than ever before. The 2009 Update of this outstanding text builds on the previous version and incorporates the latest updates available. Written by an author team with decades of experience in architecture, building construction, engineering, and teaching, Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems, 2009 Update is a comprehensive and fully illustrated introduction to construction methods and materials. The book's unique organization - Principles of Construction are covered in Part One, and Materials and Systems of Construction are covered in Part Two - allows for complete coverage of both the basic principles and specific materials and systems of building construction.

Key enhancements in the 2009 Update include:

Chapters related to health, safety and welfare issues in building design and construction (Chapter 2, Governmental Constraints on Construction, and Chapter 7, Fire-Related Properties) were updated to the 2009 International Building Code.
Chapters related to building envelope issues (Chapter 5, Thermal Properties of Materials; Chapter 6, Air and Water Vapor Flow Properties; Chapter 29, Windows and Doors; and Chapter 30, Glass-Aluminum Wall Systems) conform to the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code.
Chapter 10, Principles of Sustainable Construction, was updated to the LEED 2009.
Coverage of metrics of sustainability of building products and assemblies was expanded.
State-of-the-art software programs to assess the sustainability of building products and assemblies were covered.
The Focus on Sustainability features, Margin Notes, and Expand Your Knowledge sections were brought up to date.

Building construction is a society's most dynamic enterprise, rooted in the inherent desire of humans to innovate. This dynamism is also a response to the changing socioeconomic framework caused by increasing population and declining resources. The impact of this dynamism on building construction is that new products and construction systems are added to the existing stock in a never-ending process.

In addition to new materials, new versions of traditional materials are proliferating. Consequently, today's designers and constructors face an unprecedented challenge as they strive to make well-informed decisions in the face of an expanding number of competing building products and systems available for a given application.

The most accessible source of information on building products is often those who produce them. Although product testing is generally conducted by independent agencies, the results come to us through the filter of the manufacturers' vested interests and aggressive sales strategies, slanting the information unduly in favor of a specific product.

How do we, as designers and constructors, develop a critical faculty that enables us to sift facts from exaggeration and relevance from insignificance? How do we deal with the immense regional and international diversities of construction? How do we learn to function successfully in an increasingly litigious environment?

This text is based on the premise that given a strong foundation in the fundamentals and principles of materials and systems, future designers and constructors will be well prepared to make decisions in the face of increasingly complex choices. After all, the principles will be sustained just as the conventional practices will become dated all too soon.

Parts 1 and 2
The study of principles alone is not sufficient to master or fully grasp a subject. The principles must be illustrated through current and traditional practices. Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems aims to do just that. It is divided into two parts:

Part 1, consisting of 10 chapters, deals primarily with the principles of building materials' and building assemblies' performance.
Part 2, consisting of 25 chapters, deals primarily with specific materials and assemblies.

In our own teaching, we have found that by introducing the basic principles common to the performance of most materials early in the course, it is possible to preclude or reduce repetition when progressing from one material or system to the other. For example, thermal insulation is provided differently in different assemblies, but the thermal behavior of various assemblies is entrenched in the same basic principles. Similarly, all building assemblies must have some measure of fire endurance. Therefore, it makes sense to deal with the basics of thermal and fire-related properties in advance of their specifics.

However, there cannot be an absolute separation between the principles and practices. Some reiteration of the fundamentals as one proceeds through various materials and systems is unavoidable. Additionally, there are certain principles that are limited only to one or two materials or assemblies. Those principles must be discussed in pertinent chapters.

For instance, we had initially considered including a chapter on the durability of materials in Part 1 of the book. It did not take us long to realize that although there are a few generic aspects of durability across materials, their role is secondary. Wood's durability is limited by its combustibility, fungal decay, and termite infestation. Metals deteriorate mainly through corrosion; natural stone deteriorates through abrasion and its reaction with atmospheric acids; roofing materials deteriorate through ultraviolet radiation and hail impact, and so on. The lack of commonality means that durability attributes must be discussed in the chapter that deals with the particular material.

Water-leakage control also defies a generalized treatment because the strategies used in various building components differ from one another. For example, the principles and the details required to control water leakage through exterior walls are different from those required for basement walls, which, in turn, are different from those needed for roofs. Therefore, water-leakage control in exterior walls is covered in a separate chapter (in Part 2 of the text) before the chapters on exterior wall assemblies. Water-leakage control in basements and roofs is covered in chapter 21 and chapters 31 and 32, respectively.

For the same reasons, a few materials are covered in the "Principles" sections. It would have been incongruous to separate insulating materials from the thermal properties of materials - a chapter in Part 1. Other materials included in Part 1 are air retarders, vapor retarders, sound-absorbing materials, and joint sealants.

Chapter Sequence
The sequence in which various materials and systems are covered (in Part 2 of the text) is based on the extent of their use rather than on a standard sequencing system, such as the MasterFormat. Wood materials and construction systems are covered first because of the extensive use of wood in North America. This is followed by coverage of steel, concrete, and masonry. The characteristics of each of these materials are discussed in one or two chapters, followed by chapters on the related construction systems.

The final 10 chapters of the text focus on finish applications. For instance, the discussion of wall cladding begins with principles of water leakage and control, followed by chapters on specific types of wall cladding systems. Some of these discussions revisit materials presented in earlier chapters, such as concrete, masonry, and stone. In other chapters, new materials (such as glass and aluminum) are covered.

This text may be used in several ways. Its size and the extent of its contents make it an ideal text for a two-semester course sequence. However, it can also be used successfully in other curricular contexts. It can be used in a one-semester introductory class to prepare beginning students for subsequent courses in structures and environmental controls and used later as a text in a more advanced construction course and design studio supplement.

Special Features
In many ways, this book is similar to other books on the subject because it covers many of the same topics. However, a relatively detailed discussion of the principles and a greater emphasis on the technical aspects of construction may be considered its distinguishing features. Despite its accent on technology, the depth of coverage has been kept well within the grasp of an average undergraduate student.

Multiple-choice (Practice Quiz) questions are provided throughout each chapter. Their purpose is to help the reader gain an overall understanding of the subject and assimilate its highlights. Review questions are designed to help students develop a more detailed understanding of the subject. Because there is a limit to the amount of information an average reader can absorb at a time, each chapter is limited on coverage. An excessively long chapter defeats that purpose. Therefore, in some cases, material is divided into two separate chapters. Chapters 11 and 12 are examples.

Several chapters conclude with a section entitled "Principles in Practice." These sections provide the opportunity for the interested reader to investigate more in-depth information on the applications of principles in architectural design and construction while maintaining the readability of the chapter.

The extent to which construction materials and systems are sustainable is an increasingly critical issue. Chapter 10 introduces the principles of sustainable construction, and this is fol1owed up with a special section in various chapters entitled "Focus on Sustainability."

Table of Contents
Part One: Principles of Construction. Chapter 1: An Overview of the Building Delivery Process. Chapter 2: Governmental Constraints on Construction. Chapter 3: Loads on Buildings. Chapter 4: Load Resistance—The Structural Properties of Materials. Chapter 5: Thermal Properties of Materials. Chapter 6: Air and Water Vapor Flow Properties. Chapter 7: Fire-Related Properties. Chapter 8: Acoustical Properties of Materials. Chapter 9: Principles of Joints and Sealants (Expansion and Contraction Control). Chapter 10: Principles of Sustainable Construction. Part Two: Materials and Systems. Chapter 11: Materials for Wood Construction—I (Lumber). Chapter 12: Materials for Wood Construction—II (Manufactured Wood Products, Fasteners and Connectors). Chapter 13: Wood Light Frame Construction—I. Chapter 14: Wood Light Frame Construction—II. Chapter 15: Structural Insulated Panel System. Chapter 16: The Material Steel and Structural Steel Construction. Chapter 17: Light-Gauge Steel Construction. Chapter 18: Lime, Portland Cement and Concrete. Chapter 19: Concrete Construction—I (Formwork Reinforcement and Slabs-on-Ground). Chapter 20: Concrete Construction—II (Site-Cast and Precast Concrete Framing Systems). Chapter 21: Soils; Foundation and Basement Construction. Chapter 22: Masonry Materials—I (Mortar and Brick). Chapter 23: Masonry Materials—II ( Concrete Masonry Units, Natural Stone and Glass Masonry Units). Chapter 24: Masonry and Concrete Bearing Wall Construction. Chapter 25: Rainwater Infiltration Control in Exterior Walls. Chapter 26: Exterior Wall Cladding—I (Masonry, Precast Concrete, GFRC and Prefabricated Masonry). Chapter 27: Exterior Wall Cladding—II (Stucco, EIFS, Natural Stone and Insulated Metal Panels). Chapter 28: Transparent Materials (Glass and Light-Transmitting Plastics). Chapter 29: Windows and Doors. Chapter 30: Glass-Aluminum Wall Systems. Chapter 31: Roofing—I (Low-Slope Roofs). Chapter 32: Roofing—II (Steep Roofs). Chapter 33: Stairs. Chapter 34: Floors Coverings. Chapter 35: Ceilings. Appendix A: SI System and U.S. System of Units. Appendix B: Preliminary Sizing of Structural Members. Glossary. Index.

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