the Nest of Students

C. J. Brandon, R. L. Hohlfelder, M. D. Jackson, J. P. Oleson ... 368 pages - Publisher: Oxbow Books; (August, 2014) ... Language: English - ISBN-10: 1782974202 - ISBN-13: 978-1782974208

One marker of the majesty of ancient Rome is its surviving architectural legacy, the stunning remains of which are scattered throughout the circum-Mediterranean landscape. Surprisingly, one truly remarkable aspect of this heritage remains relatively unknown. There exists beneath the waters of the Mediterranean the physical remnants of a vast maritime infrastructure that sustained and connected the western world's first global empire and economy. The key to this incredible accomplishment and to the survival of structures in the hostile environment of the sea for two thousand years was maritime concrete, a building material invented and then employed by Roman builders on a grand scale to construct harbor installations anywhere they were needed, rather than only in locations with advantageous geography or topography. This book explains how the Romans built so successfully in the sea with their new invention. The story is a stimulating mix of archaeological, geological, historical and chemical research, with relevance to both ancient and modern technology. It also breaks new ground in bridging the gap between science and the humanities by integrating analytical materials science, history, and archaeology, along with underwater exploration. The book will be of interest to anyone interested in Roman architecture and engineering, and it will hold special interest for geologists and mineralogists studying the material characteristics of pyroclastic volcanic rocks and their alteration in seawater brines. The demonstrable durability and longevity of Roman maritime concrete structures may be of special interest to engineers working on cementing materials appropriate for the long-term storage of hazardous substances such as radioactive waste. A pioneering methodology was used to bore into maritime structures both on land and in the sea to collect concrete cores for testing in the research laboratories of the CTG Italcementi Group, a leading cement producer in Italy, the University of Berkeley, and elsewhere. The resulting mechanical, chemical and physical analysis of 36 concrete samples taken from 11 sites in Italy and the eastern Mediterranean have helped fill many gaps in our knowledge of how the Romans built in the sea. To gain even more knowledge of the ancient maritime technology, the directors of the Roman Maritime Concrete Study (ROMACONS) engaged in an ambitious and unique experimental archaeological project - the construction underwater of a reproduction of a Roman concrete pier or pila. The same raw materials and tools available to the ancient builders were employed to produce a reproduction concrete structure that appears to be remarkably similar to the ancient one studied during ROMACON's fieldwork between 2002-2009. This volume reveals a remarkable and unique archaeological project that highlights the synergy that now exists between the humanities and science in our continuing efforts to understand the past. It will quickly become a standard research tool for all interested in Roman building both in the sea and on land, and in the history and chemistry of marine concrete. The authors also hope that the data and observations it presents will stimulate further research by scholars and students into related topics, since we have so much more to learn in the years ahead.

Julio F. Davalos, An Chen, Pizhong Qiao ... 
351 pages
Publisher: CRC Press; (March 26, 2013)
Language: English
ASIN: B00CLZSWWA

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) decks have been increasingly used for new construction and rehabilitation projects worldwide. The benefits of using FRP bridge decks, such as durability, light weight, high strength, reduced maintenance costs, and rapid installation, outweigh their initial in-place material costs when implemented in highway bridge projects. FRP Deck and Steel Girder Bridge Systems: Analysis and Design compiles the necessary information to facilitate the development of the standards and guidelines needed to promote further adoption of composite sandwich panels in construction. It also, for the first time, proposes a complete set of design guidelines.

Providing both experimental investigations and theoretical analyses, this book covers three complementary parts: FRP decks, shear connectors between the deck and steel girders, and the behavior of bridge systems. The text presents stiffness and strength evaluations for FRP deck panels and FRP deck-girder bridge systems. While the FRP deck studies focus on honeycomb FPR sandwich panels over steel girder bridge systems, they can be adapted to other sandwich configurations. Similarly, the shear connection and bridge system studies can be applied to other types of FRP decks. Chapters discuss skin effect, core configuration, facesheet laminates, out-of-plane compression and sheer, mechanical shear connectors, and FRP deck–steel girder bridge systems.

Based on the findings described in the text, the authors propose design guidelines and present design examples to illustrate application of the guidelines. In the final chapter, they also provide a systematic analysis and design approach for single-span FRP deck-stringer bridges. This book presents new and improved theories and combines analytical models, numerical analyses, and experimental investigations to devise a practical analysis procedure, resulting in FRP deck design formulations.

Paul Samuels, Stephen Huntington, William Allsop, Jackie Harrop ... 
1772 pages - Publisher: CRC Press; 1st edition (October 1, 2008)
Language: English - ISBN-10: 041548507X - ISBN-13: 978-0415485074

William Godwin ... 
222 pages
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell; 1st edition (February 18, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0470655720
ISBN-13: 978-0470655726

Many large construction projects, such as those in the Middle East or Asia Pacific, are international in scope with a range of contractors and subcontractors signing contracts for delivery of specified work or services. The contractual situation in these instances may be complex and potentially includes a range of standard and bespoke contractual arrangements. In addition, the parties to these contracts may be based in different parts of the world, and are often working to different legal systems and understandings. This can lead to confusion in the understanding, interpretation and execution of a given contract.

International Construction Contracts provides concise and practical guidance to those involved in the negotiation and management of international construction and engineering contracts. It sets out in clear, straightforward language the main features of construction contracts and international dispute resolution procedures. It ensures the reader is aware of the issues that might arise on the contractual side of their project so that they may better protect their party's interests. Many of the features and points discussed are illustrated by reference to the popular FIDIC contracts and the book includes a commentary on the two most widely used FIDIC design-build forms, the Yellow and Silver Books. Also included in the book is a fully worked example of a typical ICC arbitration from start to finish, with "pleadings", a detailed case narrative and commentary on events, and an example arbitration award. The ICC and SIAC arbitration rules are also provided.

Written for construction professionals, the book will be of great interest to engineers, architects, project managers, quantity surveyors, contract managers and contract administrators working on international projects.

David M. Nielsen ...
1328 pages
Publisher: CRC Press; 2nd edition (September 28, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1566705894
ISBN-13: 978-1566705899

Published in 1991, the first edition of The Practical Handbook of Ground-Water Monitoring quickly became the gold standard reference on the topic of ground-water monitoring. But, as in all rapidly evolving fields, regulations change, technology advances, methods improve, and research reveals flaws in prior thinking. As a consequence, books that document the state of the science, even widely acknowledged definitive works, become outdated and need to be rewritten periodically to stay current. Reflecting this and renamed to highlight its wider scope, The Practical Handbook of Environmental Site Characterization and Ground-Water Monitoring, Second Edition provides an updated look at the field. Completely revised, the book contains so much new information that it has doubled in size.Containing the most up-to-date information available, this second edition emphasizes the practical application of current technology. It covers environmental site characterization and ground-water monitoring in great detail, from the federal regulations that govern environmental investigations, to the various direct and indirect methods of investigating and monitoring the subsurface, to the analysis and interpretation of complex sets of environmental data.

Cheaper, better, faster was the mantra of the 1990s, resulting in more streamlined approaches to both environmental site characterization and ground-water monitoring, but also pitting the application of good science against the mandate to get a project done as quickly and inexpensively as possible. This book provides unbiased, technical discussions of the tremendously powerful tools developed in the last decade, helping environmental professionals strike a balance between good science and economics.