Building Construction: Principles, Materials, and Systems

The authors have combined their diverse professional and educational backgrounds to produce a resource that presents the complexity of building construction in an accessible volume. It clearly provides the basics of building science as applied to the art of transforming materials and systems into constructible buildings. The book appropriately addresses each of the primary building assemblies - foundations, walls, floors, ceilings, and roofs - and how they join, seal and integrate with other components. The performance of building enclosures and systems is reviewed in detail, which enhances the reader's understanding of the comprehensive, integrated nature of the building design and construction process. Almost all building materials and systems have been covered in depth. The book is unique among other books on the subject because it is joining efforts of three authors, two of whom are engaged full time in academia, and the third who has an extensive background in the profession. KEY TOPICS: Offers a new approach to construction principles, materials and methods. Divided into two parts to illustrate current and traditional practices of construction: Part I 10 chapters deal primarily with the principles of building materials' and building assemblies' performance; Part II 25 chapters deal primarily with specific materials and assemblies.  This book will serve as an indispensable reference for practitioners of architecture, engineering and construction.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents 

PART ONE: PRINCIPLES OF CONSTRUCTION

1.      An Overview of the Building Delivery Process

2.      Governmental Constraints on Construction

3.      Loads on Buildings

4.      Load Resistance–The Structural Properties of Materials

5.      Thermal Properties of Materials

6.      Air Leakage and Water Vapor Control

7.      Fire-Related Properties

8.      Acoustical Properties of Materials

9.      Principles of Joints and Sealants (Expansion and Contraction Control)

10.  Principles of Sustainable Construction

PART TWO: MATERIALS AND SYSTEMS OF CONSTRUCTION

11.  Materials for Wood Construction–I (Lumber)

12.  Materials for Wood Construction–II (Manufactured Wood Products, Fasteners and Connectors)

13.  Wood Light Frame Construction–I

14.  Wood Light Frame Construction–II

15.  Structural Insulated Panel System

16.  The Material Steel and Structural Steel Construction

17.  Light-Gauge Steel Construction

18.  Lime, Portland Cement and Concrete

19.  Concrete Construction–I (Formwork Reinforcement and Slabs-on-Ground)

20.  Concrete Construction–II (Site-Cast and Precast Concrete Framing Systems)

21.  Soils; Foundation and basement Construction

22.  Masonry Materials–I ( Mortar and Brick)

23.  Masonry Materials–II ( Concrete Masonry Units, Natural Stone and Glass Masonry Units)

24.  Masonry and Concrete Bearing Wall Construction

25.  Rainwater Infiltration Control in Exterior Walls

26.  Exterior Wall Cladding–I (Masonry, Precast Concrete, GFRC and Prefabricated Masonry)

27.  Exterior Wall Cladding–II (Stucco, EIFS, Natural Stone and Insulated Metal Panels)

28.  Transparent Materials ( Glass and Light-Transmitting Plastics)

29.  Windows and Doors

30.  Glass-Aluminum Wall Systems

31.  Roofing–I ( Low-Slope Roofs)

32.  Roofing–II (Steep Roofs)

33.  Stairs

34.  Floors Coverings

35.  Ceilings

APPENDIX A — SI System and U.S. System of Units

APPENDIX B — Preliminary Sizing of Structural Members

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

INDEX