Books?

[Amos Ives Root]

I've been looking around this forum for a thread of useful books/resources but couldn't find any threads specifically for that.

What are some solid technical resources for an engineering audience? What references get used by residential contractors and developers?

Where does someone go that has the right questions, but no answers. For instance: what do I have to worry about? Surveying? Soil hydrology? We live in a karst region and have sink holes and springs on the property. French drains? How does one properly frame a slab foundation? These are my primary concerns at the moment, because these are things I can't undo. Framing? How do you prevent moisture from penetrating the structure? How about getting water, electricity, compressed air, etc. Any valid references would be helpful!

I just graduated with an engineering degree and figure I'm about 4 years from getting my PE stamp so I have plenty of time to study and plan a detached garage/workshop on my parent's property. I won't necessarily be doing the work I plan on reading about, but knowing as much as possible will be helpful when dealing with subcontractors.

Since I'm an Electrical Engineer I'll throw out a good one for a problem I've noticed a few questions on, electrical wiring. Here's the little yellow book I've noticed all the old technicians and electricians have, which may help:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/0962322962/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[torqueman2002]

Well, not exactly a link to 'books', but a good reference site none-the-less.

Try asking your questions on this site, they are very helpful and friendly.

http://www.selfhelpforums.com/index....5f918e73ceb90d

I asked a number of questions this spring when I ran a 60A /220V sub-panel to my attached garage.

The guys know the NEC and best practices.

Plus there are sub-groups for:

• Building
• Environment
• New Home, 'Planning a New Home'
• Outdoors, 'The Great Outdoors'
• Repair

Good luck.

Mike

 

[Torque1st]

Hmmm, I have 100+ lineal feet of reference works and design information collected over a lifetime in the field. Each one has some little piece of treasure. Post-it-notes are great for marking specific pages. Google is your friend when you have specific questions. I have many Gigabytes of files collected from the internet. Otherwise individual tradesmen have specific knowledge of their trade that is seldom in books. -Listen to them.

When you are on the job make sure you document your calculations and decisions by making a copy of specific pages from reference works etc to include with your design files. Don't count on being able to remember where you found a specific piece of information later. A good design file is like well documented computer code.

 

[Amos Ives Root]

Well, not exactly a link to 'books', but a good reference site none-the-less.

...

The guys know the NEC and best practices.

...

I've read a little bit through the archives of this one and I agree. These guys seem to be really strong in the electrical/building codes area. Thanks.

Hmmm, I have 100+ lineal feet of reference works and design information collected over a lifetime in the field. Each one has some little piece of treasure. Post-it-notes are great for marking specific pages. Google is your friend when you have specific questions. I have many Gigabytes of files collected from the internet. Otherwise individual tradesmen have specific knowledge of their trade that is seldom in books. -Listen to them.

When you are on the job make sure you document your calculations and decisions by making a copy of specific pages from reference works etc to include with your design files. Don't count on being able to remember where you found a specific piece of information later. A good design file is like well documented computer code.

Thanks! I will keep this in mind as I progress.

Are there any books you hold as your go to references? If you could only have 5 for the rest of your life, which ones would you choose?

 

[kbs2244]

You are, in effect, asking how to book learn the experience of a local general contractor.
I don't think you can do it.

"We live in a karst region and have sink holes and springs on the property."

For sure I don't think you can do it in a area as tricky as yours.
In addition to construction knowledge you will need applied geology knowledge.
There are some things only experience can teach.

 

[993James993]

The 2006 IRC code book should be just what you are looking for. Or you could check with your city or county permit office to verify which codes they use and get that book. You'll find lots of technical information that will be useful. It's no substitute for experience, but it will give you lots of background information.

If you are framing with wood you could order the The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.

The other source of engineering data is the literature provided by manufacturers of building materials. Simpson Strongtie, James Hardie, Kolbe & Kolbe, etc all had excellent technical resources available free of charge that I used in planning my garage.

 

[Torque1st]

There is one book I use more often than any other:
Machinery's Handbook
You may never need it.
All the others just depend on what I am working on.

 

[Amos Ives Root]

International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings

The Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings.

The other source of engineering data is the literature provided by manufacturers of building materials. Simpson Strongtie, James Hardie, Kolbe & Kolbe, etc all had excellent technical resources available free of charge that I used in planning my garage.

Thanks! You've given me a great starting point.

Does anyone have experience with supplemental books like these two by Francis Ching?

Building Codes Illustrated
Building Contruction Illustated

The amazon reviews seem promising.

 

[Andy Traxel]

I'm a mechaical engineer working in the industrial engine/powered equipment industry. So my most used reference books don't address your questions. But if you're looking to build a library in the future, I second the recommendation for Machinery's Handbook. Especially useful if you're designing or building/fabricating something made of metal.

Another of my favorites is the Bosch Automotive Handbook. This is a real reference book, not a repair manual or how-to book. Some basic science up front. Then applying the science to vehicles. Then looks at vehicle systems.

 

[Torque1st]

Another of my favorites is the Bosch Automotive Handbook.

I have one of those, about 15" to the right of my Machinery's handbook. It is about the best reference for automotive systems I could find when I did not have access to $AE publications.

 

[gahrajmahal]

Also a Mechanical engineer. Machinery's handbook, not so useful for the everyday tradesman. My personal picks are the 1-2-3 books down at Home Depot. The wiring and plumbing books have been invaluable during a recent kitchen, bathroom and basement remodel. Covers general codes, has lots of well done diagrams and photos. From an engineering standpoint, get in touch with your local steel supplier, Ryersons comes to mind, and get a materials handbook. It will contain all grades, shapes of raw steel, stainless, aluminum, brass etc. It will have strength of material, metalurgy, corrosion and other excellent information. All other industrial suppliers have excellent design guides for most anything you can think of. The bible of engineering stuff is the Thomas Register, now online. Your local big branch library may still have the print copies available, nice for just skimming through. I think you need to start building some shelves!

 

[Amos Ives Root]

The bible of engineering stuff is the Thomas Register, now online. Your local big branch library may still have the print copies available, nice for just skimming through.

For general stuff, I like the Fundamentals of Engineering exam supplied reference manual. It's a little on the theoretical side, but still very dense! I'll have to check out the Thomas Register.

I think you need to start building some shelves!

I can wait a little bit. My great grandfather built this back when he was a civil engineering student.

My most prized possession! My forum name actually comes from the author of one of his books. The XYZs of Bee Culture by A.I. Root. I love books, especially the older ones!

 

[brownbagg]

I like the old engineering book you find at flea markets, usually marron in color around 1917-1930, they are written in a eight grade level so you can understand them, before computer and calculators. I got about a 100 of them in prime shape. I also have a ford motor company machine shop book around 1921

 

[Vinko]

There is one book I use more often than any other:
Machinery's Handbook
You may never need it.
All the others just depend on what I am working on.

I've got a couple copies of that. I dip into it where I can. I don't have the background, training or experience to make total use of it, but I appreciate it nonetheless

 

[Vinko]

I like the old engineering book you find at flea markets, usually marron in color around 1917-1930, they are written in a eight grade level so you can understand them, before computer and calculators. I got about a 100 of them in prime shape. I also have a ford motor company machine shop book around 1921

I think I have these too (through my father). But I think what may've been 8th grade then (or in your time) is probably not 8th grade now

I've also got a few of the MSC small books, with spiral fastened, on fasteners and other subjects.

What I'd really like is a complete set of everything current that the ASTM has published.

 

[gahrajmahal]

The machinist's Handbook will come in handy if you are machining parts on a mill, lathe or grinder. If you want to know speeds and feeds, depth of cut, information about O ring grooves, press fits etc. that is where you will find the specifics. On older equipment, you will find the engineer / machinist stuck to these "standards" quite frequently. Today though advances with everything you are probably better to research each problem very specifically, ie. you want to know specifically how the Ipod screen is fastened together. The machinery's handbook aint gonna help you.

 

[pseudorealityx]

Since I work in the HVAC industry, ASHRAE is the predominant source of technical guides. That said, they're really gone a bit overboard with the theory related stuff in the last couple decades. Since good practical knowledge if you can find it.

I also have a few older references passed down from our company's owner. SMACNA's High Pressure standards, from the mid 70's. Came in really handy for some off the cuff work we were doing for an industrial oven.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

All engineering students should work in the trades during the summer. Smart guys working for experienced contractors learn real world skills fast.

Otherwise, there are about a million basic building books at the Barnes and Noble or Home Depot. Pick the ones you like. Basic illustrations are the best for learning IMO.