Books: REVIEWS

This is a comprehensive and in-depth book covering an evolving discipline that is undergoing a technological modernisation, particularly with building information modelling.

The text is split into four sections, with the first three covering project production management, business management, and administration and company management. The fourth section includes a selection of self-learning problems with access to an online area providing answers and downloadable Powerpoint slides of the tables and figures used.

While the book is aimed at students and graduates from civil engineering and construction management related qualifications, it is also an excellent introduction to the many aspects of managing a successful project. The text is well written in plain English, often supplemented with worked examples of the theories and topics discussed.

The supply of water through desalination is likely to be a vital part of the solution to meeting rising global water demand. Advances in Water Desalination is a comprehensive thesis on the state of the art of this important technology.

It begins with a comprehensive treatment of the fundamentals, building from basic thermodynamics to techno-economic assessments of the common desalination systems. Increasing energy prices and efforts to mitigate climate change are common threads running through several chapters, providing a solid base for any reader wishing to contemplate the future grand challenge of water supply.

It is likely to be extremely useful as a reference for those working in water supply.

This textbook provides a simple introduction to finite-element methods. It is limited to the linear elastic static analysis of structures made of the simplest elements, mainly beams and two-dimensional ‘constant strain triangles' with three nodes and linear variation of the relevant variables.

Several Fortran programmes originally developed in the first edition for use on mainframe computers are updated in this second version for use on desktops and laptops. Electronic copies of all the programmes can be downloaded from the web.

I strongly recommend this as a textbook for undergraduate students and lecturers. It is also a valuable reference for practising engineers in mechanical and civil engineering in the proper uses of the finite-element method in the linear elastic static analysis of frames and plate structures.

The third edition of these industry-standard guidelines replaces the second edition ‘blue book' published in 2002. It presents an authoritative statement of the principles of landscape and visual assessment, which can be key to planning decisions for new developments.

The new edition takes into account recognition of the European landscape convention by the UK government and the application of the environmental impact assessment is a major element of this edition.

The book is also beautifully illustrated with photographs, photomontages, diagrams and maps. It includes a detailed list of good practice advice and an extensive glossary and reference list.

This book comprehensively covers the fundamentals of hydraulics and environmental engineering. It is primarily aimed at civil engineering students but also provides a good reference for practising engineers.

The book is split into two parts, the first covering the principles and basic applications of hydrostatics, principles of fluid flow and the behaviour of real fluids before moving on to flow in pipes, conduits and open channel flow. Surge and hydraulic machines (pumps and turbines) are also covered.

In summary, this is a very comprehensive book. Chapters are supported with notes and references which bring subject areas to life and provide additional background and guidance to further study and investigation. Worked examples throughout help consolidate learning and understanding.

The ICE library maintains one of the most comprehensive collections of civil engineering books in the world, including all titles from ICE Publishing (shown in bold below). New books received in the past 3 months include the following.

All books can be borrowed from the ICE library on the first floor of 1 Great George Street, London, SW1P 3AA from 8·30 am to 6·30 pm, Monday to Friday. ICE Publishing titles can also be purchased from the ICE library or ordered by calling +44 1892 832299, emailing orders@icepublishing.com or by visiting www.icevirtuallibrary.com/content/books.