This book is intended to introduce the reader to the structural, architectural and conservation issues that arise when conserving or reusing historic structures. It is aimed at architects, engineers and conservation practitioners at the early stages of their careers or the later stages of their education and, as a result, covers a very ambitious range of subjects.
The book begins with a chapter titled ‘Theoretical aspects of structural interventions’. The theory here refers to the philosophy of architectural conservation rather than structural engineering theory. Some building conservation projects are concerned with the reuse, strengthening or adaptation of existing structures. In contrast, the objective of other projects is to conserve what remains while minimising the impact on the existing fabric. This chapter considers the problem of identifying an appropriate level of intervention. The author considers the problem from a number of perspectives, including that of regulations relating to conservation and safety.
The second chapter, ‘Structural theory in historic buildings’, addresses structural engineering as an engineer would understand it. This chapter is just ten pages long and touches on a very wide variety of topics from the historical development of the theory of structures to some highly specialist structural analysis techniques. The author assumes that his readers have a thorough knowledge of structural engineering.
Chapter 3, ‘Materials, building types and their failure’, is divided into two sections. The first section deals with traditional structural engineering materials – brick, stone, timber, reinforced concrete, iron and steel. The characteristics and pathology of each material are considered in detail. The second section considers a range of different structural forms, including a variety of framed structures, arches, vaults and shells.
The fourth chapter, ‘Knowledge from structural assessment’, considers a range of assessment methods that can be used to gain additional insight into the condition or structural action of a building. Obtaining such information is often crucial in the process of selecting the most appropriate structural intervention. This chapter leads naturally into Chapter 5, ‘Strengthening and repair techniques’. This chapter is in two sections – the first deals with materials and the second identifies appropriate strengthening and repair techniques for a wide range of structural elements from walls to shells.
The final chapter, ‘Design interventions’, comprises more than a third of the book and is particularly valuable. It presents an extensive collection of international case studies involving buildings that required structural intervention. Practising engineers and architects will find this section most interesting and the author has included a gazetteer at the end of the book containing details of each project. However, structural engineers may find that these cases capture their attention without ultimately satisfying their curiosity because, like much of the rest of the book, the treatment is largely qualitative rather than quantitative.
The book contains many illustrations, which is very helpful. The text is excellently referenced throughout, and contains an extensive bibliography and a comprehensive index.
This is an ambitious book that attempts to address architectural design, structural engineering and conservation technology. However, because of the breath of material covered and the author's desire to discuss topics at a detailed level, the text can sometimes feel condensed. The breadth of material may also result in readers finding that the level of detail pertaining to their own specialism is less than they would wish.
