Paul Mondorf set himself an ambitious task in attempting to cover adequately such an extensive and complex subject.
At 16 chapters and over 950 pages this large tome includes a comprehensive and wide range of practical guidance and information on the design, construction and maintenance of most forms of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete bridges, ranging from simple slab decks to major cable-stay bridges. The main principles are explained and in addition the book includes useful outline advice on bridge abutments, piers and foundations as well as a chapter on bearings and joints (referred to in the book as expansion dams).
Encouragingly there is also a small chapter on bridge aesthetics, which although welcome is somewhat short and could be improved.
The book contains very little on the subjects of analysis and calculation methods, that which is included being used solely to illustrate the structural action of particular bridges. There are some references to design codes, but no examples of design to the Eurocodes, which would have made it more useful and attractive to potential purchasers.
The book is well illustrated with many useful photographs, drawings and sketches, which help the reader understand the principles being described.
Due to the translation from Danish, some of the text does not read comfortably, but more disappointingly the references are only available on the internet and are not in English.
Overall, it is a good reference book to have in the designer's library, especially for the guidance and instruction of students and younger engineers, although the information contained will also be of considerable value to experienced engineers as a general reference book or as an aid during the conceptual design stage.
