An absolute must for contractors and trades people from all the construction trades, this is the only quick-access reference that covers--in one handy, portable volume--every aspect of construction and remodeling, from foundations to roof systems. Full of tables, easy-to-use formulae, and charts, the book serves as an essential, at-a-glance data guide that puts everything readers need to know right at their fingertips. It is organized into 30 chapters--each giving insight into a particular topic--and includes a separate chapter devoted to terms and abbreviations commonly encountered in construction.

Organized in the CSI MasterFormat*, this is an easy-to-use, concise guide to the data, calculations, and code requirements used in residential and commercial building. This portable edition is ideal to carry while working on-site and includes plenty of note-taking space.

CONTENIDO: Common problems with specifications - How to create set of specifications - How to create office master specifications - Instructions for using the CSI format - Specification section checklist long form - Project manager and specifications - Writer considerations and decisions - Specifications development - Don't be taken in by bad substitutions during biddin.

Pat Guthrie's The Architect's Portable Handbook is already the choice of thousands of architects, contractors, and design professionals who seek solid first-step rules of thumb for building design. Easy to handle and organized in the easy-to-follow CSI Masterformat, it offers quick, accurate, on-the-job guidance on everything from cost estimating to electrical systems. Featuring checklists, design data for major building materials, and details for major components and assemblies for any type of facility, the updated and expanded Handbook offers the latest building standards, including the 1997 UBC...updated unit costs for building materials, systems, and construction...a simplified version of the national model energy codes...many new examples highlighting key techniques and procedures...and several new and revised tables and line drawings.

Whether or not, you are on the job site or back in the office, this book will help you to avoid mistakes, code violations, and wasted time and money. The book’s four part treatment begins with constituent materials followed by self contained parts on Concrete Properties, Processes, and Concrete Repair and Rehabilitation. Designed to be an "all in one" reference, the author includes a wealth information for the most popular types of testing. This includes: Analysis of Fresh Concrete; Testing Machines; Accelerated Testing Methods; Analysis of Hardened Concrete and Mortar; Core Sampling and Testing; Assessment of Concrete Construction ; Repair; Quality Concepts; Quality Control; Statistics; Standards, Specifications, and Codes of Practice. With this book in hand, construction engineers and even technicians find valuable information regarding Exposed Concrete Finishes, Repairing Concrete, Formwork, Precast Concrete, Concrete Roads, and Industrial Floors. Project managers and owners will find this reference a valuable guide to concrete both in terms of its applications in construction projects and the science and chemistry of concrete for its own sake. Fundamentals of Concrete Chemistry Handy at your figure tip calculations Tips for working with all types of concretes Covers Roads, floors, and finishes Principles of Precast, Reinforced and Prestressed Concrete

The first edition of this title proved the most successful of the Portable Handbook series launched in 1999. Aimed at electrical engineers and technicians working in building power systems, the relentlessly practical Handbook succeeded as an in the field working tool. This new edition is necessitated by the new 2002 version of the National Electrical Code (NEC). This code changes render much of the existing material obsolete, so over half the chapters require heavy rewrites to stay current.

* Compiles all the rules of thumb and referenced facts to provide a convenient, one-stop resource for builders and architects * Updated to include new cost information and coverage of the latest International Building and NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Codes * Hundreds of diagrams, charts, tables, checklists, details, and other design data for building materials, components, and assemblies * Structured to follow typical job progression, this resource covers initial planning and estimating through design and construction