Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

The five volume series, Barry's Construction of Buildings , has been established as a standard text on building technology for many years. However, a substantial update has long been required, and while doing this the opportunity has been taken to reduce five volumes to two in a more user-friendly format.

The introductory volume covers domestic construction and brings together material from volumes 1, 2 and part of 5. The extensive revision includes modern concepts on site assembly, environmental issues and safety, and features further reading.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Preface
• Acknowledgements
• 1 Introduction
• 1.1 The function and performance of buildings
• 1.2 General principles of construction
• 1.3 Regulations and approvals
• 1.4 Making choices and sources of information
• Further reading
• 2 Site Analysis and Set-up
• 2.1 Function of the site analysis
• 2.2 The ædesk-topÆ study
• 2.3 Site reconnaissance
• 2.4 Soil investigations
• 2.5 The performance appraisal
• 2.6 Site set-up and security
• Further reading
• 3 Groundwork and Foundations
• 3.1 Functional requirements
• 3.2 Bedrock and soil types
• 3.3 Ground movement
• 3.4 Foundation construction
• 3.5 Site preparation and drainage
• 4 Floors
• 4.1 Functional requirements
• 4.2 Ground supported concrete slab
• 4.3 Suspended concrete floor slabs
• 4.4 Suspended timber ground floors
• 4.5 Resistance to the passage of heat
• 4.6 Reinforced concrete upper floors
• 4.7 Timber upper floors
• 5 Walls
• 5.1 Functional requirements
• 5.2 Damp-proof courses (dpcs)
• 5.3 Stone
• 5.4 Stone masonry walls
• 5.5 Bricks and brickwork
• 5.6 Bonding bricks
• 5.7 Blocks and blockwork
• 5.8 Mortar
• 5.9 Loadbearing brick and block walls
• 5.10 Solid wall construction
• 5.11 Cavity wall construction
• 5.12 Timber
• 5.13 Timber framed walls
• 5.14 Steel frame wall construction
• 5.15 Internal and party walls
• 6 Roofs
• 6.1 Functional requirements
• 6.2 Pitched roofs
• 6.3 Pitched roof coverings
• 6.4 Sheet metal covering to low pitch roofs
• 6.5 Thermal insulation to pitched roofs
• 6.6 Flat roofs
• 6.7 Timber flat roof construction
• 6.8 Concrete flat roofs
• 6.9 Thermal insulation to flat roofs
• 6.10 Parapet walls
• 7 Windows
• 7.1 Functional requirements
• 7.2 Window types
• 7.3 Window frames
• 7.4 Glass and glazing
• 7.5 Hardware
• 7.6 Window cills
• 7.7 Roof lights
• 8 Doors
• 8.1 Functional requirements
• 8.2 Door types
• 8.3 Door frames and linings
• 8.4 Hardware
• 9 Stairs and Ramps
• 9.1 Functional requirements
• 9.2 Materials, terms and definitions
• 9.3 Types of stair
• 9.4 Timber staircases
• 9.5 Stone stairs
• 9.6 Reinforced concrete stairs
• 9.7 Structural glass stairs
• 9.8 Ramps
• 10 Surface Finishes
• 10.1 Functional requirements
• 10.2 Floor finishes
• 10.3 Wall and ceiling finishes
• 10.4 Skirtings and architraves
• 10.5 External rendering
• 11 Solid Fuel, Gas and Electrical Services Provision
• 11.1 Functional requirements
• 11.2 Energy sources
• 11.3 Solid fuel burning appliances
• 11.4 Domestic gas installations
• 11.5 Domestic electrical supply and installations
• 11.6 Artificial lighting
• Further reading
• 12 Water Supply, Sanitation and Refuse Disposal
• 12.1 Water supply and distribution
• 12.2 Sanitary appliances
• 12.3 Foul drainage
• 12.4 Roof drainage
• 12.5 Surface water drainage
• 12.6 Refuse storage and recycling
• Appendix A Web Sites
• Appendix B Additional References
• Index

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Christopher Gorse BSc (Hons), Dip Ed, Dip (H&S), MSc, PhD, MCIOB, MAPM is a Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is a construction and project management consultant with industrial experience and teaches construction technology across a wide range of built environment programmes