Recent publications

Citation

(2008), "Recent publications", Structural Survey, Vol. 26 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ss.2008.11026cae.001

Recent publications

Article Type: Recent publications From: Structural Survey, Volume 26, Issue 3

Learning from Failure: Long-term Behaviour of Heavy Masonry Structures

This book will help architects, surveyors and engineers to understand and deal with the continuous damage of heavy structures. It includes recognition of signs of the phenomena, proposed predictive models, and guidelines for the on-site investigation, monitoring and repair of the damaged structures. The book examines a number of well-known cases. On 17 March 1989, the Civic Tower of Pavia collapsed without apparent warning signs, killing four people. An experimental and analytical investigation that lasted nine months, found that the cause of the collapse was progressive damage dating back many years, due mainly to the heavy dead load put on top of the existing medieval tower by construction of a massive granite bell-tower. The book describes ongoing experimental research, begun in 1989, designed to examine the phenomena. After a careful interpretation of the experimental results, also based on experience from rock mechanics and concrete, the modelling of the phenomenon for massive structures as creep behaviour of masonry was implemented. The author, Professor Luigia Binda, is a Professor on the Department of Structural Engineering at the Politecnico di Milano in Milan, Italy. The Publisher is WIT Press and the book is priced at £84.00.

Assessing Risks Posed by Hazardous Ground Gases to Buildings (revised) (C665)

Author(s): S Wilson, S Oliver, H Mallett, H Hutchings, G Card. Publisher: CIRIA

Following the high profile gas explosions at Loscoe and Abbeystead during the 1980s, a number of reports were published in the 1990s on the measurement of soil gases, the assessment of risk such gases may present along with the measures that can be employed to mitigate such risks. With government policy encouraging redevelopment on brownfield sites, including those sites where there is a potential for elevated concentrations of potentially hazardous soil gases to be present, the lack of clarity in the existing guidance has become more apparent. This report provides up-to-date advice on all of these aspects. The guidance it contains consolidates good practice in investigation, the collection of relevant data and monitoring programmes in a risk-based approach to gas contaminated land. Priced at £130.00 (or £65.00 for CIRIA Books Club members).

Access to Buildings – BRE Digest 505

Written by Stephen Garvin this digest sets out the basic requirements for accessible buildings to benefit all users. This guidance does not cover all specialist areas and it is recommended that designers also consult BS 8300 or the building regulations.

Appraising Residential Properties

Published by the Appraisal Institute this American text provides a full treatment of the techniques and procedures of residential property appraisal. Contains step-by-step instruction on the valuation process from initial inspection to final appraisal report. New information in this edition includes coverage of the use of statistics in real estate appraisal, real appraisal specialities, and automated valuation models. Also includes the ANSI/NAHB standard for measuring the size of houses.

Party Wall etc. Act 1996 Misunderstandings and Guidance

Written by Alex Frame and published by RICS Books this book explains law and practice as set out by the Party Wall etc. Act 1996. Explains the extent of the Act and considers its application in various generic circumstances. It addresses common mistakes which are made in the implementation of the Act. Aims to forewarn surveyors of potential pitfalls and so avoid possible litigation action. Highlights the fact that the Act does not provide the ability to invoke penalties for non-compliance. Priced at £29.50.

Watts Pocket Handbook 2008

New and updated for 2008, the Watts Pocket Handbook is the essential guide to property and construction, as used by professionals since 1983. Written by practising experts for professionals and students, it is filled to the brim with technical and legal guidance on all aspects of property and construction. Included in this edition for the first time are a basic introductions to structures, building regulations and historic building conservation, code for sustainable homes, contractor appointment/tendering, electromagnetic fields, geomatics, green legislation, how to appoint consultants, indicative construction costs UK, Official Journal of the European Union, types of tendering route and value engineering. Published by RICS Books and priced at £22.95.

Domestic Energy Assessor’s Handbook

The year 2007 saw the emergence of a brand new job role in the residential property sector: the Domestic Energy Assessor. An Energy Performance Certificate is now required as part of a Home Information Pack whenever a domestic property is constructed, sold or rented out in England and Wales, and this can only be produced by an accredited and suitably qualified Domestic Energy Assessor. The Domestic Energy Assessor’s Handbook is written by Phil Parnham and Larry Russen. It is designed for a wide range of aspiring and experienced practitioners and is published by RICS Books at £45.00.

Managing Asbestos

The HSE have recently updated their leaflet on the Duty to Manage Asbestos, as outlined in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, which apply to all commercial buildings and the common areas of domestic property. This document was originally developed by a HSE working party including RICS, FSB, ATAC, TUC and BIFM. The duty to manage is wide reaching and HSE state that you are a duty holder if you are “responsible for managing maintenance and repairs”, including if you own the building, are a tenant responsible for maintenance and repairs, or if you have no formal contract but you have control of the building. The leaflet explains who is affected by the legislation and includes basic advice on managing asbestos in buildings. It is intended to make you aware of your and your client’s responsibilities and provide a useful tool when discussing your asbestos management strategy. Even if you are not a duty holder but have information about the building, you must co-operate with the duty holder, e.g. landlords must pass on relevant information to new tenants and leaseholders must allow access to managing agents. This updated document is available free of charge at www.rics.org/NR/rdonlyres/53E77407-2386-4D2D-8678-0FAFA42FF92A/0/Managingasbestos.pdf

Managing Built Heritage

Written by Derek Worthing and Stephen Bond this book examines management of the built cultural heritage through the use of the concept of cultural significance. It considers how and why cultural significance is assessed and how it can be used as an effective focus and driver for management strategies and processes. Effective management of the built cultural heritage requires a clear understanding of what makes a place significant (and how that significance might be vulnerable) but the book also emphasises that this understanding of cultural significance must inform all activities in order to ensure that what is important about the place is protected and enhanced. The book was written in the midst of much fundamental rethinking, both nationally and internationally, on approaches to the conservation of our built cultural heritage. Managing Built Heritage: The Role of Cultural Significance is analytical and reflective, but also draws on real life examples to illustrate particular issues, looking at current approaches and drawing out best practice. The authors consider key policies and procedures that need to be implemented to help ensure effective management and the book will be useful for specialists in built cultural heritage – conservation officers, built heritage managers, architects, planners and surveyors – as well as for facilities and estates managers whose building stock includes listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas. Published by Blackwells at £45.00.

CDM Regulations 2007 Procedures Manual

This Procedures Manual provides a documentation system which has been developed by a practising CDM co-ordinator for use with the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2007. It addresses the full range of obligations on all parties for compliance with the statutory requirements and features flow charts, checklists and model forms. The revised third edition of the Manual reflects the extensive changes to the CDM Regulations 2007. The Manual also takes account of the 2007 Approved Code of Practice. It will function as a control document for quality assurance purposes. Published by Blackwells in paperback at £49.50.

Green Self-build Book

By Jon Broome and published by Elsevier, the Green Self-build Book provides an overview of the different methods of sustainable and eco-friendly construction techniques, and presents this information in a way that is relevant to non-professionals. The book includes case studies of green building techniques such as earth and straw bale buildings. The Green Self-build Book gives inspiration and information to guide you through the green self-build process. It is intended for anyone who is planning a self-build project, and also for housing professionals, students and teachers. Priced at £25.00.