Master the practical basics of civil engineering with a clear, builder‑friendly guide.
This readable edition presents elementary principles for building in stone, brick, or wood, and for planning roads, bridges, canals, and railways. It emphasizes hands‑on understanding over heavy math, making it suitable for practical learners, engineers, masons, and those overseeing construction projects.
Originally translated from a respected French text, this edition adapts key concepts to the United States context and adds notes, new plates, and topics like surveying methods and railway construction. It also covers ships, docks, and harbor work, along with practical details for evaluating materials and applying safe, economical building practices.
- Foundations for materials like stone, brick, and lime, with practical guidance for use in buildings and embankments
- Techniques for arches, bridges, and other structures, including methods to trace curves and guide stone placement
- Surveying methods, instruments, and how they translate to modern infrastructure projects
- Railways, harbors, docks, and marine rails, plus notes on design considerations and problem solving
Ideal for readers who want solid, usable knowledge to guide construction decisions and form informed opinions about buildings, roads, and waterways.