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Problems raised by frost action
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Membranes in Ground Engineering. P.R. Rankilor. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Chicester, 1981, ix + 377 pp., £19.50. The application of membranes in ground engineering is a recently developed technology with increasing significance. Earlier the investigation of membranes and the description of their civil engineering properties were unsatisfying, because the testing methods of manufacturers and users as well were not comparable. Also there was a lack in c o m m o n l y recognized design criteria. To P.R. Rankilor the credit is principally due that he tried with his b o o k to systematize the broad field with the aim to make the use of membranes in ground engineering easier and safer. In this b o o k he follows three lines; firstly he outlines his view of current design procedures in the installation and use of permeable membranes in civil engineering ground structures. Secondly he provides the reader with a concise list and comparative references of probably all the commercially available membranes at the time of writing. Thirdly, the b o o k is intended to show how to install the membrane in the ground and h o w to set up adequate testing facilities b o t h in the field and laboratory to ensure that the correct product is being received on site, and that the specified quality is being maintained. The b o o k contains the detailed description of over 130 different membranes from over 30 different manufacturers. The full published technical properties o f these membrane fabrics are reproduced together with the names and addresses of manufacturers all over the world. I am sure that the author reached his goal "that this b o o k will form a useful guide and standard reference". HANS L. JESSBERGER (Bochum)
Problems Raised by Frost Action. Fundamental and Applied Researches (Rocks and Artificial Building Materials). Jaime Aguirre-Puente (Editor). Fondation Franqaise d'Etudes Nordiques, Actes et D o c u m e n t s No. 6, Paris, 1979, 527 pp. The volume contains the text of 43 papers and 2 lectures of general interest which opened the meeting of the Sixth International Congress held in Le Havre, April 23--25, 1975. Papers are subdivided into 4 sections. 1. Frost Action and G e o m o r p h o l o g y (12 papers) 2. Frost Action in Connection with Natural and Artificial Building Materials (Stones, Concrete, Tiles, Bricks) (7 papers) 3. Frost Action and Fundamental Research (12 papers) 4. Special Studies -- (a) Heat transfer in porous media and solids, and (b) Thermal equilibrium between rocks and atmosphere; (12 papers) T w e n t y six of the papers and both lectures of general interest are in French and the remainder are in English. Most of the papers provide a
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summary in French if the principal language is English and in English if the principal language of the paper is French. The breadth of the subject of frost action, even when restricted to rocks and artificial building materials, is indicated by the titles of the sub-sections. To bring papers together in one volume over this broad spectrum has the advantage that it acquaints specialists with the approach taken by their colleagues who have different backgrounds b u t related interests. The proceedings will therefore provide a useful reference volume for those who did not have the o p p o r t u n i t y to attend the Conference b u t who have an interest in frost action. The volume is of a size and weight which allows easy handling yet the soft cover should be sufficiently durable to keep the b o o k intact. The articles in this publication will be a valuable reference to on-going research and will be a useful addition to the library of any individual or organization interested in frost action in rocks and artificial building materials. J.E. GILLOTT (Calgary, Alta.)
Disaster Planning: The Preservation of Life and Property. Harold D. Foster. Springer, Berlin, 1980~ x + 275 pp., DM 56.00 (approx. US $33.00). Under the rather contradictory title Disaster Planning Professor Foster has formulated a proposal for a new governmental mechanism, the "Safety Committee". Charged with the task of reviewing potential hazards from natural as well as manmade p h e n o m e n a and establishing effective policy, the Safety Committee is suggested as a valid addition to the family of regulatory agencies n o w in existence The problem of acceptable risk is first approached through a review of existing accepted risk levels. A second approach, "risk balancing" is also developed. The b o o k provides an extensive qualitative review of a number of major sources of risk. Earthquake zoning, the design of warning systems and problems of hazard mapping are discussed in some detail. The potential use of hazard maps for the design of buildings as well as disaster service facilities is also suggested. The Delphi technique and c o m p u t e r simulation are presented as useful tools in the risk evaluation process. The author provides a case for careful examination of hazards to society through agencies of government and develops qualitative guidelines for a particular comprehensive disaster planning approach. However, he does not make a convincing case for the need and potential value of a "safety committee". Experience with local and regional urban planning mechanisms during the past t w e n t y years suggests that such well intentioned systems may in fact burden society o u t of all proportion to the benefits they provide. Comprehensive institutionalized risk control agencies might involve major economic
Membranes in Ground Engineering. P.R. Rankilor. John Wiley and Sons Ltd., Chicester, 1981, ix + 377 pp., £19.50. The application of membranes in ground engineering is a recently developed technology with increasing significance. Earlier the investigation of membranes and the description of their civil engineering properties were unsatisfying, because the testing methods of manufacturers and users as well were not comparable. Also there was a lack in c o m m o n l y recognized design criteria. To P.R. Rankilor the credit is principally due that he tried with his b o o k to systematize the broad field with the aim to make the use of membranes in ground engineering easier and safer. In this b o o k he follows three lines; firstly he outlines his view of current design procedures in the installation and use of permeable membranes in civil engineering ground structures. Secondly he provides the reader with a concise list and comparative references of probably all the commercially available membranes at the time of writing. Thirdly, the b o o k is intended to show how to install the membrane in the ground and h o w to set up adequate testing facilities b o t h in the field and laboratory to ensure that the correct product is being received on site, and that the specified quality is being maintained. The b o o k contains the detailed description of over 130 different membranes from over 30 different manufacturers. The full published technical properties o f these membrane fabrics are reproduced together with the names and addresses of manufacturers all over the world. I am sure that the author reached his goal "that this b o o k will form a useful guide and standard reference". HANS L. JESSBERGER (Bochum)
Problems Raised by Frost Action. Fundamental and Applied Researches (Rocks and Artificial Building Materials). Jaime Aguirre-Puente (Editor). Fondation Franqaise d'Etudes Nordiques, Actes et D o c u m e n t s No. 6, Paris, 1979, 527 pp. The volume contains the text of 43 papers and 2 lectures of general interest which opened the meeting of the Sixth International Congress held in Le Havre, April 23--25, 1975. Papers are subdivided into 4 sections. 1. Frost Action and G e o m o r p h o l o g y (12 papers) 2. Frost Action in Connection with Natural and Artificial Building Materials (Stones, Concrete, Tiles, Bricks) (7 papers) 3. Frost Action and Fundamental Research (12 papers) 4. Special Studies -- (a) Heat transfer in porous media and solids, and (b) Thermal equilibrium between rocks and atmosphere; (12 papers) T w e n t y six of the papers and both lectures of general interest are in French and the remainder are in English. Most of the papers provide a
151
summary in French if the principal language is English and in English if the principal language of the paper is French. The breadth of the subject of frost action, even when restricted to rocks and artificial building materials, is indicated by the titles of the sub-sections. To bring papers together in one volume over this broad spectrum has the advantage that it acquaints specialists with the approach taken by their colleagues who have different backgrounds b u t related interests. The proceedings will therefore provide a useful reference volume for those who did not have the o p p o r t u n i t y to attend the Conference b u t who have an interest in frost action. The volume is of a size and weight which allows easy handling yet the soft cover should be sufficiently durable to keep the b o o k intact. The articles in this publication will be a valuable reference to on-going research and will be a useful addition to the library of any individual or organization interested in frost action in rocks and artificial building materials. J.E. GILLOTT (Calgary, Alta.)
Disaster Planning: The Preservation of Life and Property. Harold D. Foster. Springer, Berlin, 1980~ x + 275 pp., DM 56.00 (approx. US $33.00). Under the rather contradictory title Disaster Planning Professor Foster has formulated a proposal for a new governmental mechanism, the "Safety Committee". Charged with the task of reviewing potential hazards from natural as well as manmade p h e n o m e n a and establishing effective policy, the Safety Committee is suggested as a valid addition to the family of regulatory agencies n o w in existence The problem of acceptable risk is first approached through a review of existing accepted risk levels. A second approach, "risk balancing" is also developed. The b o o k provides an extensive qualitative review of a number of major sources of risk. Earthquake zoning, the design of warning systems and problems of hazard mapping are discussed in some detail. The potential use of hazard maps for the design of buildings as well as disaster service facilities is also suggested. The Delphi technique and c o m p u t e r simulation are presented as useful tools in the risk evaluation process. The author provides a case for careful examination of hazards to society through agencies of government and develops qualitative guidelines for a particular comprehensive disaster planning approach. However, he does not make a convincing case for the need and potential value of a "safety committee". Experience with local and regional urban planning mechanisms during the past t w e n t y years suggests that such well intentioned systems may in fact burden society o u t of all proportion to the benefits they provide. Comprehensive institutionalized risk control agencies might involve major economic