This book will be of interest to everyone involved in the repair, maintenance and refurbishment of traditional buildings. Its purpose is to promote the successful structural repair of masonry, timber and unfired earth. The book begins by explaining how traditional structures work and how they are affected by the behaviour of the soil that supports them. It goes on to explain how the structural design of buildings has to cope with uncertainty. Techniques for doing so are well established for new buildings, but the viewpoint changes when existing buildings need to be repaired or refurbished. The most common sources of structural damage are listed. The more serious and progressive ones are described in detail, as an aid to diagnosis and prognosis. An understanding of prognosis enables repairers to decide whether urgent intervention is necessary or whether the problem can be allowed to run its course. A straightforward method is proposed for arriving at the most suitable remedy. Several typical repairs are illustrated. The book covers many allied topics, including the principles of conservation, health and safety and preventative maintenance. A chapter is devoted to the special needs of insured perils.

Understanding the unique requirements of traditional buildings is crucial to providing appropriate guidance on their care and repair. This book will help practitioners identify the particular issues relating to older buildings and the problems they may encounter when surveying and repairing them. With the use of examples, the author provides invaluable information on how traditional buildings perform, emphasizing the need for a sensitive and sustainable approach which also takes account of the specific needs of the building. The book examines all aspects to be included in any assessment for survey and repair, and points out in detail the potential pitfalls. It also explores the controversial issues surrounding the treatment of damp and timber decay, advocating solutions that are appropriate to older buildings rather than using standard, often damaging, methods of treatment. The extensive case studies not only illustrate good conservation in practice but also how projects can go badly wrong, and how mistakes could have been avoided. This title explores the causes of movement and the actions required. It advises on alternatives to chemical treatment for damp and timber decay. It provides fully illustrated case studies with numerous photographs. It emphasizes a sustainable approach to conservation. It outlines the key legislation issues. It includes the Historic Buildings Prosecution Fines Database and other useful appendices.

The National Park Service's official advice on preserving and restoring historic buildings.

This book is the second in a series of volumes that combine conservation philosophy in the built environment with knowledge of traditional materials, and structural and constructional conservation techniques and technology: Understanding Historic Building Conservation Structures & Construction in Historic Building Conservation Materials & Skills for Historic Building Conservation The series aims to introduce each aspect of conservation and to provide concise, basic and up-to-date knowledge for architects, surveyors and engineers as well as for commissioning client bodies, managers and advisors. In each book, Michael Forsyth draws together chapters by leading architects, structural engineers and related professionals to reflect the interdisciplinary nature of conservation work. The books are structured to be of direct practical application, taking the reader through the process of historic building conservation and emphasising throughout the integrative teamwork involved. This present volume – Structures & Construction in Historic Building Conservation - traces the history of structures in various materials and contains guidance on the survey, assessment and diagnosis of structures and the integration of building code requirements within the historic fabric. It discusses conservation engineering philosophy, exposes the conflict between building codes and conservation legislation, and offers solutions. Leading-edge, on-site metric survey techniques are described and a range of structural advice is given, including methods of repair in relation to philosophical principles. Causes of induced movement in historic buildings are explained, together with basic soil mechanics and the assessment and diagnosis of structural failure. Chapters also cover the conservation of different types of construction: masonry, iron and steel, and concrete and reinforced concrete. Fourteen chapters written by the experts present today's key issues in structures and construction for historic building conservation: Bill Blake, Michael Bussell, David Cook, Dina F. D'Ayala, Steve Emery, Michael Forsyth, Ian Hume, Peter Norris

This book will be of interest to everyone involved in the repair, maintenance and refurbishment of traditional buildings. Its purpose is to promote the successful structural repair of masonry, timber and unfired earth. The book begins by explaining how traditional structures work and how they are affected by the behaviour of the soil that supports them. It goes on to explain how the structural design of buildings has to cope with uncertainty. Techniques for doing so are well established for new buildings, but the viewpoint changes when existing buildings need to be repaired or refurbished. The most common sources of structural damage are listed. The more serious and progressive ones are described in detail, as an aid to diagnosis and prognosis. An understanding of prognosis enables repairers to decide whether urgent intervention is necessary or whether the problem can be allowed to run its course. A straightforward method is proposed for arriving at the most suitable remedy. Several typical repairs are illustrated. The book covers many allied topics, including the principles of conservation, health and safety and preventative maintenance. A chapter is devoted to the special needs of insured perils.

Since the spread of classical design and construction amongst the upper echolons of British society in the late seventeenth century, traditional construction methods have largely fallen by the wayside. Centuries later, as the construction industry faces up to its environmental responsibilities, this book explores its rich and ancient tradition to provide tried and trusted solutions to modern day construction problems. By way of introduction, the ancient and historical lifestyles that dictated the nature of traditional construction are explored, before focussing on its health and ecological benefits. As well as cultural background, this book includes a detailed scientific description of traditional building materials and their constituents which draws a sharp contrast with modern petrochemical-based materials. The studies of traditional buildings included reveal the sustainability of features such as natural ventilation and breathing walls, and comparisons with modern construction methods show how they could prevent 'sick building syndrome'. The author argues that maintenance for long life, by contrast with the modern concept of life-cycle costing, is at the nub of sustainability and underlies the contribution traditional building construction can make to tackling climate change. Over 250 original photos, and over fifty bespoke diagrams illustrate the features, techniques, and characteristics of traditional construction that could make such a valuable contribution to the industry today. The inclusion of a close study of how these methods relate to British building regulations makes this book a practical guide for construction professionals, as well as an authoritative resource for students and policy-makers.

No building is properly conserved if it is not structurally sound. Consequently architects, engineers and conservation officers need an adequate grounding in the technology, the materials and the historic origins of the building in order to complete a conservation project successfully. Structural Design in Building Conservation deals with design issues and technical choices, showing how they are integrated with the planning and architectural outcomes in a conservation project. It brings together theory with current conservation technology, discussing the possibilities of structural details and strategies in architectural expression. Case studies are central to this, and these are organised around such themes as the addition of roofs, requalification of space, strengthening and re-use of fabric, repristination, additions, completions, stiffness adjustments, and the correction of past mistakes. The reader is encouraged to examine the technical details of these real projects, and explore the possible solutions. The philosophy of structural interventions is introduced in the context of conservation theories and practices in various European countries. The main types of strengthening, repairs and interventions are explained using different building types, and the structural nature of the main elements to be strengthened (linear structures, frames, plates and shells) is explored in detail. Case studies included cover a very wide range of historic types and conversions, not only monumental masonry structures like neoclassical buildings, major temples, churches, public buildings and museums, but also more utilitarian structures like historic mills, early reinforced concrete structures and vaulting types. This is essential reading for all students of architectural conservation, and practicing architects and engineers who are involved in conservation projects.

Since its publication in 1982 Sir Bernard Feilden's Conservation of Historic Buildings has become the standard text for architects and others involved in the conservation of historic structures. Leading practitioners around the world have praised the book as being the most significant single volume on the subject to be published. This third edition revises and updates a classic book, including completely new sections on conservation of Modern Movement buildings and non-destructive investigation. The result of the lifetime's experience of one of the world's leading architectural conservators, the book comprehensively surveys the fundamental principles of conservation in their application to historic buildings, and provides the basic information needed by architects, engineers and surveyors for the solution of problems of architectural conservation in almost every climatic region of the world. This edition is organized into three complementary parts: in the first the structure of buildings is dealt with in detail; the second focuses attention on the causes of decay and the materials they affect; and the third considers the practical role of the architect involved in conservation and rehabilitation. As well as being essential reading for architects and others concerned with conservation, many lay people with various kinds of responsibility for historic buildings will find this clearly written, jargon-free work a fruitful source of guidance and information.

Owners of old houses are often baffled by the confusing advice they receive from their builders, architects or surveyors who may be more familiar with repairing modern buildings than dealing with the issues associated with traditional houses. Old houses generally require a different approach, one, for instance, which takes account of their need to 'breathe'. Modern solutions do not always recognise that need. This book will help owners, builders and all construction professionals make the decisions that are right for old buildings. It illustrates the long term benefits of using more traditional solutions on older houses rather than modern materials like cement based mortars, sealants or impervious paints. It offers practical guidance on: How to get the right professional advice; Legal requirements for listed buildings; Problems with damp and rot; Use of lime mortars, plasters and renders; Why old buildings need to breathe; Planning applications; and, Trees, outbuildings and gardens.

"Structural Investigation of Historic Buildings: A Case Study Guide to Preservation Technology for Buildings, Bridges, Towers, and Mills provides a practical guide for consulting structural engineers and others on dealing with issues unique to historic structures. Emphasizing structural evaluation and condition assessment based on sound preservation philosophy, but without burdening the reader with tedious calculations, the book discusses the role of the structural engineer in the evaluation and preservation process and discusses such topics as structural safety, analysis, and conservation."--Publisher's website.