Dr. Joseph Lstiburek, a building science guru is the author of a series of books published by the Energy & Environmental Building Association (EEBA) www.eeba.org - my favorite being the 'Builder’s Guide to Hot Humid Climates" and one that I use constantly to explain to my clients how vapor barriers work in the southeast. There are additional versions for Cold Climates, Hot Dry Climates, and Mixed Humid Climates. They are in a 9 x 5 format, paperback, with wonderful line drawings illustrating his theories…which many of my clients follow. The cost is approx $45 each.
Julie,
I think the book is a must. It is the most thorough and up to date book on the subject. It concludes with a chapter “Starting a QC Consulting Business” and solutions to the exercises in the book.
Get 5 stars from me.
Wayne
I second Jerome’s review of Dr Lstiburek’s publications.
I also recommend “Water Management Guide” by Dr Joe, also available from EEBA. It is 85 pages long but very clear and concise. It is not for high-rise.
I think mine was $19.95.
Wayne
If you can wait, the 2007 Handbook should be out in about 2 to 4 weeks. I have the 2006 available now.
Another good publication is MIA’s Dimension Stone Design Manual, a bit pricey, available from the MIA website http://www.marble-institute.com - its one of the best sources of reliable information on Dimension Stone that I have found.
Dale:
Is the 2007 edition available in a digital format with downloadable details?
For those Construction People to read in your ‘free time’ - “Construction Nightmares - Jobs from Hell and How to Avoid Them” by Arthur O’Leary, paperback, may be harder to find, Amazon has it, but if you google it you should come up with other sources of used versions.
Another good hard to find book is “Building Materials Technology - Structural Performance & Environmental Impacts” By L. Reed Brantley and Ruth T. Brantley.
Does anyone have recommendation with regards to books about how one researches building materials? I have a really great project assistant with some building knowledge that wants to get into researching materials for teams. Maybe a future spec writer. Whoo! Whoo!
Actually I changed my mind. If I had one book that I would recommend to specifiers it would be The Bible. This is because I pray to God that the Architect designs the building correctly, the Contractor builds it according to the Documents, and that the Owner does not become his own worst enemy.
Julie - two books: “Fundamentals of Building Construction” by Edward Allen & Joseph Iano and “Construction Principles, Materials, and Methods” by Leslie Simmons for your future spec writer.
Not to be contrary, Jerome, but the latest version of Simmons, is called, "Olin’s Construction: Principles, Materials and Methods, 8th ed. A hefty volume, well worth the price.
This is a marvelous book. Have taught from it since 1972, and through several editions. Basics often overlooked or ignored by academics, but essential to being a GOOD well-rounded architect/engineer.
For research, I don’t know of a book, per se. I think you have to make the newbie aware of the need to break things down, and then search them[and the web is a trove of info]. For example, how many “issues” or items can you get by breaking down masonry- brick, CMU [a zillion types], joints, joint reinforcement, etc. You simply cannot take one word or issue and go some place and find all you want to know about the topic.
'Course, you can bug real old-timers like Lazar for info from his bottomless well of construction info, plus a wonderful array of trivia!!!
OLD TIMER
Ralph, how is it you have never met me yet you refer to me as an ‘old-timer’…for all you know I could be in my twenties and just plain brillant…or maybe not? “Thanks” for the compliment, I think?
Another good material research reference work is the Evaluations from ARCOM’s MasterSpec. For me, they are an invaluable resource. They alone are worth the price of the subscription.
For anyone interested, eBay has an auction for a 1940 Sleeper book. The auction is listed as:
“Architectural Specifications by Sleeper, 1940”
I am looking for the definitive book or chapter on “DIMENSIONING” for architectural drawings. I have the National CAD Standards but the examples do not go deep enough.
Words and pictures!
I need pictures illustrating how to demension curved walls, segmented curved walls, angled walls, etc. Our interns are inventing some new and unusul methods for dimensioning. I require some backup to demonstrate that I anm not forcing my own opinions and methodologies.
Even a chapter from your own drawing guidelines would suffice.
HELP! I am sinking in a quagmire of dimentions lines and extension lines.
While I am in the asking mood, what is your recommended dictionary of choice.
Thanks
I could use dimensioning tutorials in my office as well.
As for dictionaries, I really like the:
“Dictionary of Architecture & Construction” third edition, edited by Cyril M Harris, published by McGraw Hill
“Architectural Office Standards and Practices, A Practical User’s Guide” by Larry jenks has a few pages of advice on dimensioning. This book was written by the AIA Denver Chapter and published by McGraw-Hill.
A search at Half.com produced more information:
Architectural Office Standards and Practices
Author: Larry D. Jenks, McGraw-Hill
Format: Hardcover
ISBN-10: 0070015333
ISBN-13: 9780070015333
Jul 1995
Publisher: McGraw-Hill
Language: English
Fred A. Stitt published a book in 1980 - "Systems Drafting - Creative Reprographics for Architects and Engineers, a 2nd edition was published in 1983 and looks to be available used on several web sites. I have the first edition.
Has some information on dimensioning.