"The purpose of this book is to make clear the advantages of concrete in the construction of dwellings. ... as applied to houses [in the United States]"--Page 6

Prospective homeowners will welcome this introduction to a durable, energy-efficient new building technology: insulating concrete forms (ICFs). Written by a top expert in the field, and organized in an accessible question-and-answer form, it will help homebuyers decide whether an ICF is right for them and how to get the most for their money. Every aspect of planning and construction is covered, from exactly what an ICF is to the intricacies of building a concrete house, from choosing a contractor to selecting a suitable design for the system. There’s crucial advice on how to make sure construction goes smoothly, diagrams and photos to illustrate every point, beautiful ICF homes on display, and explanations of how these homes differ from conventional ones and why they cost less to maintain.

Houses are built with many different materials, and in many shapes and sizes. Step by step, this picture book explains how homes are built—from the architect's plans through the arrival of a happy family. The many processes of construction are explained with simple language and bright, clear illustrations, perfect for kids starting to wonder about how the world around them works. Many different careers—including carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and landscapers—are introduced, each doing their part to bring the picture wood-frame house to life. A great read for kids who love construction sites, or who can't get enough of Building a House by Byron Barton. According to The Washington Post, Gail Gibbons "has taught more preschoolers and early readers about the world than any other children's writer-illustrator." Ms. Gibbons is the author of more than 100 books for young readers, including the bestselling titles From Seed to Plant and Monarch Butterfly. Her many honors include the Washington Post/Childrens Book Fuild Nonfiction Award and the NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book Award.

Robust and raw, concrete has been a rudimentary building material for centuries, but it is only relatively recently that architects have begun exploring its softer, tactile side in the design of houses. Concrete is durable, recyclable, and thermally efficient, and it goes up quickly compared to wood or metal framing. The appeal for architects, though, is its plasticity and potential for magic, making poetry out of the mundane. Witness concrete's endless form-making possibilities in this collection of contemporary homes by A-list architects in diverse locations across Japan, Australia, Spain, Brazil, South Africa, the US, and more. Along with exquisite color photography and plans, the architects share their design approach to projects ranging from 10,000 square feet on spectacular sites, to compact urban gems. This close-up of 20 striking houses celebrates the texture and physics of a material that has long been taken for granted.

Inspiration for architects and urban planners, this text presents a re-evaluation of a material finally coming into its own in the 21st century - concrete. The text is illustrated with projects from some of the biggest-name architects around.

Infra-lightweight concrete combines the structural and thermal insulation functions of the building envelope in one monolithic material, thus providing new design options. The handbook is a practical guide to building with this new type of material. The architects and structural engineers of the interdisciplinary team of authors combine their findings from many years of research, including from a project in which the team investigated the architectural and structural potential of infra-lightweight concrete in multi-story residential buildings. In addition to essential information on designing with the material, including construction details, and an overview of the building physics properties, practical advice on building details is provided in the form of sizing tables and numerous details from various projects.

Building with precast concrete elements is one of the most innovative forms of construction. This book serves as an introduction to this topic, including examples, and thus supplies all the information necessary for conceptual and detailed design.

In this study, Marcello Mogetta examines the origins and early dissemination of concrete technology in Roman Republican architecture. Framing the genesis of innovative building processes and techniques within the context of Rome's early expansion, he traces technological change in monumental construction in long-established urban centers and new Roman colonial cites founded in the 2nd century BCE in central Italy. Mogetta weaves together excavation data from both public monuments and private domestic architecture that have been previously studied in isolation. Highlighting the organization of the building industry, he also explores the political motivations and cultural aspirations of patrons of monumental architecture, reconstructing how they negotiated economic and logistical constraints by drawing from both local traditions and long-distance networks. By incorporating the available evidence into the development of concrete technology, Mogetta also demonstrates the contributions of anonymous builders and contractors, shining a light on their ability to exploit locally available resources.

"The purpose of this book is to make clear the advantages of concrete in the construction of dwellings. ... as applied to houses [in the United States]"--Page 6

By using the Working Stress Design system described in the text combined with other information in this book, a builder with a good knowledge of basic arithmetic and a pocket calculator can determine the sizing and placement of steel rebar within small concrete buildings, such as earth-sheltered homes. The book covers the design, assembly, and formwork required by concrete beams, elevated slabs, walls, footings, short columns, mat foundations, and soffits. Many of these components are impossible to build using plain (unreinforced) concrete.