Customer Reviews

Earth Retention Systems Handbook

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this book is really great! it covers a lot of techniques and methods that are otherwise dispersed in magazines and companies, and that are rarely classified. it offers a section on design, monitoring, tables and software, for micropiles to anchor to sheet piles. i have no words. a great thanks to the author and the editor, for your contribution to the diffusion of knowledge.

This is a wonderful text on shoring systems, written by a contractor's engineer with a wealth of experience on the subject. The text is clear, concise, and well-organized. It contains sections on many common shoring systems, from sheet piles to soil nails. It covers soils aspects, structural details, and construction methods.

The book is best as a guide to the many shoring systems available, their advantages and drawbacks, and construction methods. For that, it is invaluable--there is no other text that measures up. It does provide sections on design, but these are a little light, and should be viewed as a primer, not an authoritative design reference.

The engineers who design earth retention systems are a rare breed of highly skilled professionals. Only the best engineers need apply. There are huge responsibilities involved protecting workers and properties in this line of work.

Engineers designing this stuff must possess the following considerable talents:
- They need good common sense
- They must be able to ask crucial "what if?" scenarios about failure mechanisms
- They must be able to develop constructable and cost effective details
- They should be familiar with construction equipment and how to get things built
- They must possess a good understanding of the geotechnical theories and methods developed by Terzaghi, Peck and Bowles, to name just a few.
- They must have a good understanding of Strength of Materials, steel design and concrete design.

Alan MacNab, P.E., a seasoned professional in this field, has assembled a very impressive collection of various earth retention systems based on his experience. The best feature are the many photos and details. The book stands apart from others because the emphasis is about the construction aspects of building excavation bracing. There is good practical advice, including information on hard-to-find subjects, such as anchor testing, monitoring, shotcreting, "unwatering".

The description of design theories is only touched upon. Anyone going into this field will need a library of other material in order to prepare calculations.

A good practical handbook. It is a good reference book for both geotechnical and structural engineers.