Building Design and Construction Handbook [Hardcover]

Frederick S. Merritt (Author, Editor), Jonathan T. Ricketts (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 17, 1993 | ISBN-10: 007041596X | ISBN-13: 978-0070415966 | Edition: 5 Rep Sub

This fifth edition offers engineers, architects, contractors and other building professionals a concise, authoritative guide to modern building design and construction. It presents step-by-step descriptions of building design and construction techniques, offers good-practice suggestions and proposes many ideas for saving time and money in design and construction tasks. The handbook features current information on building systems; protection against hazards; structural theory; construction management; estimating construction costs; the building team; structural steel construction; concrete design and construction; heating, ventilation and air conditioning; electrical systems; plumbing; roof systems; surveying; soil mechanics and foundations; wall, floor and ceiling systems; vertical circulation; cold-formed steel construction; building materials; and wood construction. This edition features significant changes in design and construction practices, especially in building codes and specifications for structural materials. It also contains 685 detailed illustrations, useful definitions of terms used by the various building trades, as well as an appendix of factors for conversion to SI units. The design and construction information contained in the book should enable building professionals to make the most of new techniques, materials and equipment, thus improving their competitive advantage.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

THE ALL-IN-ONE DESIGN AND CONTRUCTION CLASSIC Keep projects on time, on target, and up to code *Building professionals’ favorite single-source reference *The most authoritative and comprehensive handbook available *Helps you work better, faster, and smarter *Covers newest materials, methods, systems, and specifications Find the answers you need quickly. Answering questions, simplifying planning, and cutting costs for more than 40 years, this classic resource places all mission-critical information within easy reach. Architects, engineers, and contractors open Building Design and Construction Handbook when they want: *Most effective and efficient methods and materials *Current building codes, NFPA requirements, and legal standards *Details and specifics on technical standards, systems, materials, theories, and procedures in related fields *Avoidance of construction halts, glitches, and change orders resulting from errors and omissions *Latest seismic and wind design criteria *Best methods in use today Data, design tips, and standards—all in one place --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Frederick S. Merritt (deceased) was a consulting engineer for many years, with experience in building and bridge design, structural analysis, and construction management. A Fellow of the American Society of Civil Engineers and a Senior Member of ASTM, he was a former senior editor of Engineering News-Record and an author/editor of many books, including McGraw-Hill’s Standard Handbook for Civil Engineers and Structural Steel Designer’s Handbook. Jonathan T. Ricketts is a consulting engineer with broad experience in general environmental design and construction management. A registered engineer in several states, he is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, the National Society of Professional Engineers, and the Solid Waste Association of North America. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1568 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill (Tx); 5 Rep Sub edition (November 17, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 007041596X
• ISBN-13: 978-0070415966
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 2.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #698,117 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars serves a niche between civil engr handbooks and architecture references, January 29, 2011

By 

Jeffrey L. Blackwell (Ft Myers, Florida) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building Design and Construction Handbook, 6th Edition (Hardcover)

This is a technical handbook that provides design and construction info for general building construction, especially commercial design.

While so much of civil engr handbooks concerns civil works and structures, this handbook is complementary. It has excellent summaries that are organized along 16 categories used in modern U S commercial building codes. For example, its sections on roofing systems, HVAC, electrical systems, etc. would not be found in civil engr handbooks nor covered as thoroughly in architectural handbooks.
The 2001 edition, purchased in 2004, was a bargain at less than $50.

4.0 out of 5 stars Depending on your region, January 25, 2010

By 

M. Al-dhaen (Bahrain) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Building Design and Construction Handbook, 6th Edition (Hardcover)

Excellent reference book for various building products but mostly applies to the western region and not the middle East building standards.

5.0 out of 5 stars The 6th Edition vs the 7th Edition, November 14, 2009

By 

Theseus "theseus" (US of A) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Design and Construction Handbook, 6th Edition (Hardcover)

I'm a big fan of this 6th edition. It is one of those "go to" resources -- containing a ton of information, intelligently organized, with hundreds of useful illustrations. 4.7 pounds!

Suggestion: click on the image and look at the Table of Contents. That will tell you a lot.