Basic Engineering for Builders

Engineering is as much a part of building today as steel girders or wood rafters. This book explains, in non-technical language, the principles of construction engineering. It's a readable, easy-to-follow reference for all the non-engineers in construction. Whether you're a home builder, remodeler, commercial construction specialist, a sub, an estimator or an apprentice builder, you need to understand basic engineering. This book offers an easy, non-technical way to learn basic construction engineering principles. You'll find engineering principles you can put to work on your next job. This handy manual follows the building process from the ground up, examining the engineering problems at each step of construction. The examples and tables in this manual are based on design standards widely accepted in the building industry.

Max Schwartz has been in the construction business for over 50 years, working jobs from small residential developments to major industrial facilities, in locations ranging from California townsites to the Central American jungles. Since serving in the Army Corps of Engineers in World War II, he has been a consulting civil and mechanical engineer, licensed in states across the country. He has lectured and written several books on building engineering, and has taught civil engineering at UCLA Extension for the past 20 years. Mr. Schwartz now specializes in forensic engineering and serves as an expert witness in proceedings involving building defects and catastrophes.