Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods [Hardcover]

Edward Allen (Author), Joseph Iano (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 047007468X | ISBN-13: 978-0470074688 | Publication Date: December 10, 2008 | Edition: 5

Now in its Fifth Edition, this essential textbook has been used by thousands of students annually in schools of architecture, engineering, and construction technology. The bestselling reference focuses on the basic materials and methods used in building construction, emphasizing common construction systems such as light wood frames, masonry bearing walls, steel frames, and reinforced concrete. New introductory material on the processes, organization, constraints, and choices in construction offers a better look at the management of construction. New sections covering the building envelope uncover the secrets to designing enclosures for thermal insulation, vapor retarders, air barriers, and moisture control. The Fifth Edition also features more axonometric detail drawings and revised photographs for a thoroughly illustrated approach and the latest IBC 2006, CSI MasterFormat, ASTM references, and LEED information.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"In the new fifth edition of Fundamentals of Building Construction, Allen and Iano set a new benchmark by incorporating sustainability issues into a mainstream construction textbook, section by section, as in this concise overview from the first chapter. We also look forward to a future edition of their outstanding book in which appropriate sustainability considerations have penetrated every topic and page." (ArchitectureWeek, April 13, 2009)

From the Back Cover

The leading book on building construction——thoroughly renovated from the ground up

For the nuts-and-bolts on building construction practices and materials, thousands of professionals and students of architecture, engineering, and construction technology have turned to Edward Allen and Joseph Iano's Fundamentals of Building Construction. This new Fifth Edition of the bestselling reference and textbook provides the most up-to-date survey of the basic materials and methods used in building construction.

Using the latest building codes, standards, and developments in materials and technologies as its basis, this book covers the complete range of construction activities—from excavating and foundations to cladding and interior finishes—and examines common construction systems such as light wood frame, masonry bearing wall, steel frame, and reinforced concrete construction.

The Fifth Edition adds a host of updated and completely new information on such current topics as:

• The changing role of the construction contractor in the process of making buildings

• Construction management and methods of project delivery

• Controlling the movement of heat, air, and moisture through the building enclosure

• Sustainability and green building techniques

• Innovations in glass, concrete, wood, and other construction materials

• The 2006 International Building and Residential Codes, 2004 MasterFormat, and the latest ASTM references and LEED standards

Supplemented by Exercises in Building Construction, Fifth Edition, available separately, Fundamentals of Building Construction, Fifth Edition lays the foundation every architect and construction professional needs to build a successful career.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 5 edition (December 10, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 047007468X
• ISBN-13: 978-0470074688
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.6 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,484 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #2 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > How-to & Home Improvements > Building & Construction
  • #9 in Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture

More About the Author

Edward Allen has taught for more than thirty years at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Yale University, and the University of Oregon. He is the bestselling author of Fundamentals of Building Construction, Fifth Edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Indispensable, September 4, 2010

By 

J. Lin (Toronto, ON Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods (Hardcover)

I've owned it for six years, and it is still one of my go-to reference guides whenever I have doubts regarding certain materials & methods. The authors not only explain the construction process and materials involved, but also provide the (building) scientific context for many of the typically encountered assemblies in today's construction industry. If you're a student, please don't be intimidated by the sheer mass of this book. You'll be thankful for the solid foundation this book provides when you transition from academia to practice.

With that said, this book will not provide exhaustive detail on any particular type of construction (such a book will most likely not fit on any one bookshelf or hard drive), but it will certainly point you in the right direction whether you are searching for pre-determined solutions or are developing your own details.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Purchase, April 9, 2009

By 

A. Bell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods (Hardcover)

I bought this book for a class I was taking in graduate school and it is phenomenal. It explains everything in great detail without the useless wordy paragraphs other books contain. Great pictures and overall great explanations of how things work.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding Introduction, January 8, 2011

By 

Washington Reader - See all my reviews

This review is from: Fundamentals of Building Construction: Materials and Methods (Hardcover)

This is an introduction to construction techniques that is very well written and excellently illustrated. The coverage is very broad - masonry, steel frame, wood frame, cast concrete, etc., and the explanations in each area are all detailed. The only real criticism I have is that there are not too many references to other work.