The above mentioned two separate books are the outcome of a research project, Reuse of Foundations for Urban Sites (RuFUS), involving many professionals with a wide range of backgrounds and expertise.
Almost all the contributing authors of the handbook have contributed useful papers for the proceedings, as well as having been part of the well conceived and well accomplished RuFUS project.
The best practice handbook has definitely added new dimensions to existing practice and provides a structured format for environmentally sustainable development for fast-growing urban centres.
The book is divided into seven chapters: an introduction; drivers for reuse; key technical risks; legal and financial context; decision model; investigation, assessment and design of reused foundations; and design of new foundations for future reuse; along with six appendices on: case histories; a financial risk case study; whole life cost and environmental impact case studies; flow charts and guidelines for integrity testing of foundations; instrumentation case studies; and example documentation from a typical pile foundation project. This whole range of chapters, along with the appendixes, covers almost all aspects which might be of importance from the perspectives of owners, architects, structural and geotechnical engineers, civic agencies and environmentalists.
Each chapter of the book contains sections and sub-sections for clarity, while related charts, figures and tables along with a list of related references makes it simple to read and comprehend. Since foundation reuse is not only a specialist area of geotechnical engineering but also not explicitly addressed in current foundation design codes, the editors in each chapter have identified key points, which emphasise concerns, drivers for reuse, the complexity involved and recommendations pertaining to the context. As a key finding it is suggested that a continual viability appraisal between the assessment and design processes is essential, so that all members of the design and construction team embrace a foundation reuse strategy which is equally acceptable to client and authorities.
The endeavour of the RuFUS project, its team and the editors, are to be complimented for their efforts in articulating the scattered material and giving it the shape of a comprehensive guide. The book should enjoy equal respect from all the stakeholders and should be of interest to all those who are involved in these aspects of engineering, from the research point of view and/or implementation.
While the handbook in itself is complete, comprehensive and detailed, the proceedings of the international conference contains 39 papers covering a range of topics that makes it a rare document, with handy reference material, thus making it additionally attractive to those in academia.
Although it may not matter much, in my opinion the sub-title of the book should have been A Best Practice Guide instead of A Best Practice Handbook. It has all the potential to become a handbook in future, but it may just be looked upon as personal opinion.
I find both the books to be very welcome additions to my library and, in my opinion, both books would significantly contribute towards extending frontiers of existing knowledge and should be part of the library shelves of universities and related professionals.
