HOME
AUTHOR'S BLOG
VOLUME I
Preface
Table Of Contents
Index
Bibliography
Virtual Tour
VOLUME II
Preface
Table Of Contents
Index
Bibliography
Virtual Tour
VOLUME III
Preface
Table Of Contents
Index
Bibliography
Virtual Tour
ADDENDUM
Volume I
Volume II
Volume III
HOW TO ORDER
Order your copy
Proforma invoice
FEEDBACK
CONTACT US
 
Preface
Previous Next
Principal causes of the deterioration of the structures;
Guidelines for the inspection and condition survey;
Non-destructive evaluation tests.

These constitute the first steps to be taken when called to investigate a structure, which is in need of repairs. This is followed by:
Brief description of the principal repair materials – polymer modified mortars and concrete, epoxy mortars and concrete, construction chemicals and sealants;
Techniques for repairs and strengthening – structural shotcrete, injection grouting, various placement methods for the repair material, chemical and Ferrocement waterproofing treatments.

Next, general guidelines, which are common to all forms of repairs and constitute good construction practice, have been presented. Finally, specifications for execution of repairs for the most common structures have been included.
Construction chemicals, polymers, and elastomers constitute a very important class of new building materials which find extensive application in repairs and rehabilitation of structures, structural glazing systems, and design of movement joints in curtain walls, civil engineering structures, and pavements. There aren’t many books on the important subject of synthetic polymers, plastics, elastomers and composites, which can be easily followed by a nonchemical engineer. Most of the books have been written by the specialist for the specialist. The high sounding chemical names of the plastics and the accompanying long chemical formulas of the organic molecules tend to discourage the reader in developing a basic understanding of the properties of a handful of thermoplastic and thermosetting materials which find application in civil engineering. The author has tried to demystify the whole subject by keeping the treatment of the chemistry of the organic molecule at an elementary level and included a separate chapter (21) on plastics and composites. It is essential for the engineer and the architect to understand what polymers and plastics are, how they are fabricated, and the influence of their properties and limitations upon application in buildings.

Since polymers and plastics are used so extensively in various fields of engineering, an attempt to bring them all together in one chapter would put them out of context. Hence, detailed description of this new material has been included in the chapter in which it finds major application. For example, plastics used in architectural coatings, insulated glass and sandwich wall panels, and silicone structural glazing adhesives have been covered in chapter\ 22 on aluminum curtain walls. Polymers and construction chemicals, epoxies, and sealants used in repairs of concrete structures have been included in Chapter 24.

The opening chapter of Volume II deals with Quality Management in construction and ISO 9001 certification for construction organizations. Volume 1 had a chapter devoted entirely to project management techniques and the author felt that Volume 2 must expose the reader to the modern management concepts of Total Quality Management (TQM) which is as much a strategic concept for a business as it is a personal philosophy for the individual to be more effective at the work place. Chapter 20 provides a brief introduction to the basic principles of Quality Control, Quality Assurance and Total Quality Management and outlines a model for the implementation of Quality management System in a construction organization as a prelude to ISO 9001 certification. A suggested list of reading material has been included at the end of the chapter to encourage the reader to further expand his frontiers of knowledge on this very important field of management, which holds key to the success of an organization in the increasingly competitive domestic and international environment.

Volume II follows the same reader friendly structure and excellence of production quality as Volume 1. For ease of retrieval of information every paragraph is numbered and it bears the number of the chapter. So do the Figures, the Tables and the Appendices. Locating the desired information in the book either from the comprehensive Index or numerous cross references in the text should thus be quite easy and fast. There are three hundred fifty sketches in AutoCAD, which are uniformly of very high quality. The author during his long professional career discovered that a good picture is worth several pages of text. The number of sketches in the book is almost equal to the number of pages of text.

Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and completeness of information. If, however, the reader discovers any inaccuracies, which may have inadvertently crept into the Handbook, a feedback in the matter will be highly appreciated. Any suggestion for improving the book will be most welcome.

Previous Next


 
Copyright @ 2006, All Rights Reserved.