B o o k s & Publ icat ions

VIBRO GROUND IMPROVEMENT TECHNIQUES

The results of a suwey on the use of 'vibro' methods of ground improve- ment in the UK, carried out on behalf of the Building Research Establish- ment, are reported in a new BRE Information Paper. IP 5/89 'The use of 'vibro' ground improvement tech- niques in the United Kingdom' by H D St John, R J Hunt and J A Charles.

The Information Paper provides basic information for practitioners about the use and applicability of vibro ground techniques and sum- marises the practical benefits and constraints of the vibro method with specific reference to suitable ground types, design and site supervision, economic considerations and the evaluation of treated ground.

Copies from Publications Sales, Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford WD2 7JR price £1.75 (post free but minimum order £3).

NEW MASONRY DEFECT ACTION SHEETS

Design, specification and construc- tional considerations for masonryu walls are considered in three new Defect Action Sheets from the Building Research Establishment

DAS 128 'Brickwork: prevention of sulphate attack' offers practical advice on materials specification and design details in order to reduce the likeli- hood of sulphate attack in clay brickwork.

DAS 129 'Freestanding masonry boundary walls: stability and move- ment' gives practical information about the structural design of free- standing masonry walls for stability and durability. Advice is given on wall design to withstand the effects of forces such as wind, accidental im- pact or pressure from crowds which could lead to progressive or sudden

collapse. DAS 130 'Freestanding masonry

boundary walls: materials and con- struction' advises on suitable mater- ials specification and construction methods for freestanding masonry walls. These walls are vulnerable to masonry deterioration due to their exposure to the full effects of the weather.

Copies of DAS 128, DAS 129 and DAS 130 from Publications Sales, Building Research Establishment, Garston, Watford WD2 7JR price £1.25 each (minimum order £3).

ENERGY EFFICIENT HOUSING

'Energy efficient housing - a timber flame approach' is the latest in a series of books published by TRADA (The Timber Research and Develop- ment Association). The eight sec- tions cover the basic principles of energy efficient design, planning considerations, the building envelope, ventilation and infiltration, fuels and services, solar heating and conden- sation control. The final section provides an energy matrix and design checklist to allow the designer to see the interaction between design de- cisions and the relative importance of such decisions in terms of energy efficiency. The terms and concepts associated with energy efficiency are explained and worked examples guide the reader through the calculations needed to assess and compare the energy consumption of different de- sign solutions.

The strategy described in this book can be applied to any building form or style. The design parameters are not confined to timber flame con- struction alone. Truly energy efficient housing is not achieved simply by increasing the levels of thermal in- sulation, though the ease with which high levels of insulation can be incorporated in timber frame make it an attractive method of construction. TRADA'S involvement in the design

of energy efficient housing - for the Willow Park development at Chorley, Lancashire and of the Lifestyle 2000 house at Milton Keynes Energy Park has ensured that the book takes a simple, down-to-earth approach to energy efficiency.

Price £30.00 from Publications Sales, TRADA, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4ND, Telephone 0240 24 3091/2771/ 3956.

FIRE PERFORMANCE OF EXTERNAL THERMAL

INSULATION

Important guidance on the fire per- formance of external thermal insul- ation systems for high-rise buildings is now available following a series of large scale tests carried out by the Building Research Establishment's Fire Research Station. The FRS findings are published in the BRE Report, 'Fire performance of external thermal insulation for walls of multi- storey buildings, by B F W Rogowskl, R Ramaprasad and J R Southern, which is available from Publications Sales, Building Research Establish- ment, Garston, Wafford WD2 7JR, price £13 (post free).

THERMAL BOWING IN FIRE

In most building fires, walls and floors are subject to heat on one side and differential thermal expansion will result in bowing of the wall or floor if it is not restrained. Designers should allow for, or design against, thermal bowing especially in construction large elements. Guidance for de- signers is contained in the new Building Research Establishment Information Paper, 'Thermal bowing in fire and how it affects building design' by G M E Cooke and P B E Morgan of BRE's Fire Research

CONSTRUCTION & BUILDING MATERIALS Vol. 3 No. 2 JUNE 1989 111