"What's the Crack?" When cracking is observed in a building the most common reaction is that it must be the foundations and that it must be serious. Many surveyors are nervous about diagnosing cracks. This is understandable, as the interpretation of cracks can be difficult to teach, with university courses providing little or no time for field experience. Yet by understanding one straightforward principle the majority of cracks can be diagnosed in just a few minutes. Linking this with a good knowledge of construction techniques, the factors that distort cracking patterns and the key features of common causes of cracking, almost all cracks can be diagnosed quickly and with confidence. Practical Guide to Diagnosing Structural Movement in Buildings provides a methodology by which cracks and movement in buildings can be diagnosed. Written in four parts, part one describes the key principles of movement and cracking. Parts two and three describe the main features of common forms of movement and the associated crack patterns. Part two covers causes other than ground or foundation movement and part three covers movement caused by ground or foundation problems. Part four briefly describes the techniques used to arrest further movement or repair damage cause by movement. Primarily intended for the relatively inexperienced surveyor or engineer and undergraduate students of surveying as a practical guide for use on site, it focuses on identification and diagnosis. It will not only help in correctly diagnosing the problem but it will also demonstrate a methodical approach to show and record how the diagnosis was reached – critical when giving advice to third parties. "What's the crack?" - In the vast majority of cases it's not foundation related and in most cases it's not indicating a serious defect.

First published in 1996. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

In A Well-Managed Building, Maintenance Work Should In Fact, Continue Throughout The Year Under An Adequate Preventive Maintenance Policy. ``Prevention Is Better Than Cure`` Is An Axiom Well-Applicable To The Maintenance Of Buildings Also.It Is Not That The Related Information Is Not Available. It Is Scattered Over Many Pamphlets And Books. An Individual; Does Not Have Access To Many Of Books And Libraries. Thus, There Is A Need For A Compilation Of Most Of The Available Information. In This Book, An Attempt Has Been Made To Compile This Information. The Idea Has Been To Present It In A Single Book Form.A Book Of This Nature Has Obviously To Depend Upon Published Books Both Indian And Foreign, Articles And Pamphlets. The Author Has Drawn Freely From All These Sources. But The Book Is Not A Compilation Only. The Information Has Been Digested And Put Up In An Intelligible Form. The Author Has Supplemented The Information With The Experience He Has Gathered Over 34 Years Of Civil And Other Engineering In The Field.

Laughter in the Archives: Jackie "Moms" Mabley -- I Love You Bitches Back: Spect-Actors and Affective Freedom in I Coulda Been Your Cellmate! -- The Black Queer Citizenship of Wanda Sykes -- Contemporary Truth-Tellers: A New Cohort of Black Feminist Comics -- Conclusion.

This new edition of Understanding Housing Defects has been extensively revised and includes new and revised graphics, many more photographs, and an extended text. The book is a natural companion to The Construction of Houses (first published in 1990 and now in its 3rd revision). Understanding Housing Defects provides a concise, coherent and comprehensive introduction to the causes, investigation and diagnosis of housing defects. It is aimed at all those students and practitioners who require a broad understanding of housing defects as part of a wider sphere of academic or professional activity. The book has three specific objectives, to explain why, and how, defects occur. To enable the reader to recognise and identify building defects and to provide, where appropriate, guidance on their correct diagnosis. The authors have worked in both public and private sectors and have, between them over 75 years’ experience in dealing with housing and general building defects. Currently, they are all lecturers at the University of the West England, where they teach on a variety of undergraduate and post-graduate courses. They are also actively involved in carrying out research and consultancy for a number of property owning organisations throughout the UK.

Almost all homes, apartments, and commercial buildings will experience leaks, flooding, or other forms of excessive indoor dampness at some point. Not only is excessive dampness a health problem by itself, it also contributes to several other potentially problematic types of situations. Molds and other microbial agents favor damp indoor environments, and excess moisture may initiate the release of chemical emissions from damaged building materials and furnishings. This new book from the Institute of Medicine examines the health impact of exposures resulting from damp indoor environments and offers recommendations for public health interventions. Damp Indoor Spaces and Health covers a broad range of topics. The book not only examines the relationship between damp or moldy indoor environments and adverse health outcomes but also discusses how and where buildings get wet, how dampness influences microbial growth and chemical emissions, ways to prevent and remediate dampness, and elements of a public health response to the issues. A comprehensive literature review finds sufficient evidence of an association between damp indoor environments and some upper respiratory tract symptoms, coughing, wheezing, and asthma symptoms in sensitized persons. This important book will be of interest to a wide-ranging audience of science, health, engineering, and building professionals, government officials, and members of the public.

This introductory overview of the major home systems gives students a solid foundation for beginning a career in home inspection. This comprehensive text gets students out into the field quickly while serving as a springboard for the 13 advanced electives in the Principles line. Systems & Standards focuses on system and component problems, their practical implications, and inspections strategies for finding them. No other single volume offers both the breadth and depth of this introduction.