Building Pathology: Deterioriation, Diagnostics, and Intervention [Hardcover]

Samuel Y. Harris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0471331724 | ISBN-13: 978-0471331728 | Edition: 1st

A comprehensive approach to building-related deterioration and intervention
This essential technical reference gives building professionals the knowledge and tools they need to better diagnose building-related deterioration, identify sound treatment options and solutions, and design to minimize performance problems on new projects. Combining a clear and accessible explanation of the principles and mechanisms of building deterioration with coverage of a broad array of intervention methods, it is a ready resource for anyone whose work is concerned with improving building performance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"We can all benefit from his more than 30 years experience in making buildings work better." (APT Bulletin, June 2002)

From the Inside Flap

Building professionals often turn to formulaic prescriptions as a convenient and accepted means of treating building deterioration problems. However, while these techniques can be useful and easy to implement, they may not always result in the best solutions. In Building Pathology, Samuel Harris goes beyond boilerplate remedies to offer a more comprehensive and systematic approach to deterioration problems, diagnostics, and intervention. This approach not only helps professionals improve diagnostic skills by gaining a deeper understanding of the deterioration process, but also offers greater options for treating aging buildings and designing new structures for optimum performance.

Linking the underlying science to the many manifestations of problems, Harris clearly explains the principles and mechanisms of building deterioration, including why and how buildings deteriorate and what the symptoms look like. The information is presented in a straightforward and logical way, with separate chapters on major building systems-structural, vertical closure, horizontal closure, and active systems-that also address the performance and durability of specific materials.

In addition, the author opens up a wealth of valuable treatment choices and possibilities through his intervention matrix-a powerful "toolkit" of treatment methodologies that range from abstention and mitigation to circumvention and acceleration. Throughout the book, photographs and line drawings graphically illustrate the concepts and building problems discussed in the text.

Presenting a solid framework for addressing issues related to building performance, Building Pathology is an essential resource for practicing and aspiring architects, structural engineers, building contractors, preservationists, and others concerned with the health and survival of structures and their component systems.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1st edition (February 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471331724
• ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 7.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #898,681 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Worthless...... Save Your Money, February 7, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Building Pathology: Deterioriation, Diagnostics, and Intervention (Hardcover)

When I received this book I was shocked that a credible publisher like Wiley accepted it.. It is one of the worst professional books I have ever examined. It is poorly organized, extremely pretentious, and lacks credibility. The usable content could be reduced to a few pages, and much of the book is full of irrelevant formulas and lengthy descriptions of overly simplistic concepts. If the author has any advanced knowledge about building pathology, he isn't sharing it with his readers. I expected this book to be professional reference, but despite its pretensions, this book is very basic. As a registered architect with over 20 years of experience in this field, I found this book completely lacking in basic building pathology topics such as industry-accepted testing procedures, historic building technologies, and standards for building assemblies. There were very few case histories, and the few that were described were very brief, with little in-depth discussion. The book also has an inadequate number of illustrations and photographs. A book like this should have been organized by material type, instead of the strange vertical/horizontal method used. Books produced by the ASTM on this topic are far superior to this one, and should be a starting point for a collection of professional literature on the subject. Preservation books like Martin Weaver's "Conserving Buildings" or the Ashursts' Practical Conservation series are more useful for discussions about traditional details and building materials. Dov Kaminetzky's "Design and Construction Failures" is also a good reference. Alexander Newman's "Structural Renovation of Buildings" also has a good discussion of failure and deterioration mechanisms. Unfortunately "Building Pathology" is not the comprehensive reference book needed for this field.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars How can an"essential resource" have no bibilography, references, footnotes?, December 6, 2005

By 

Yes, I read it, sorry to say (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Pathology: Deterioriation, Diagnostics, and Intervention (Hardcover)

Worthless is a tough word, but I must concur with the extremely negative review. The section on mortar and concrete deterioration is remarkable in its ignorance and complete disregard of any of the knowledge, studies, and science reflected in extensive and widely published materials such as ASTM and ACI addressing decay of cementitious materials.

I use source materials in litigation, and search for publications that are incisive, to the point, and supported by peer-reviewed publications. I blew over a C-note when I bought this turkey on line, because, other than a doorstop or a paperweight with a picture of Falling Waters, THIS WORK OFFERS NOTHING OF USE.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Where Rot and Rust Doth Corrupt", May 17, 2001

By 

Robert Parker Adams, Architect (Jackson, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Building Pathology: Deterioriation, Diagnostics, and Intervention (Hardcover)

This is a 'must read' book for anyone working with, owning, or just caring about older buildings. Harris has the ability to inform and excite both the professional at work as well as the lay person that just needs a better understanding of the deterioration mechanisms in aging buildings. The depth and the clarity of his writing is sufficient to satisfy both needs.

Building Pathology will be a valuable resource in our office. It not only teaches why older materials and systems fail, it encourages the design of current material environments in a way that avoids or delays the necessary and sufficient conditions required for future failures. I expect to make this book required reading for the entire office.