Geomaterials are of enormous economic importance to the global construction industry. This is the first comprehensive guide to the petrography of geomaterials, making the petrographers specialist knowledge available to practitioners, educators and students worldwide interested in modern and historic construction materials, be they microscopists or in the fields of geology, architecture, surveying, engineering, construction, archaeology, conservation, materials science and forensic science.
- 1 Introduction Overview of geomaterials and petrography, Petrographic techniques, Sampling and specimen preparation
- 2 Building stone Introduction to building stone, Testing building stone, Stone from igneous, sedimentary & metamorphic rocks, Petrography of stone defects and decay
- 3 Roofing slate Introduction to roofing slate, Testing roofing slates, Properties of roofing slate, Weathering and deterioration of roofing slate, Interpretation of slate test results
- 4 Aggregates Introduction to aggregates, Aggregate type, Aggregate grading, shape and surface texture, Soundness, impurities and undesirable constituents of aggregates, Potential alkali-reactivity of aggregate for concrete, Matching aggregates for conservation
- 5 Concrete Introduction to concrete, Assessment of concrete structures, Investigating the composition and quality of concrete, Concrete aggregates, Portland-type cements, Additions and admixtures, Water/cement ratio, Air voids, Modal analysis of concrete, Workmanship, Examining deteriorated and damaged concrete, Carbonation and reinforcement corrosion, Cracking, Weathering, Sulfate attack, TSA, DEF, Sea water attack, Attack by acids and alkalis, Pop-outs, Alkali-aggregate reactions, Fire-damaged concrete, High-alumina cement concrete
- 6 Concrete products Architectural cast stone, Aircrete, Calcium silicate, Asbestos-cement
- 7 Flooring materials Screed, Terrazzo, Synthetic resin
- 8 Mortar plaster and render, Gypsum plaster, FGD gypsum plaster, plasterboard, Plaster defects, Lime mortar ingredients & defects, Portland cement mortar ingredients & defects, Specialist mortars
- 9 Bricks terracotta & other ceramics, Introduction to ceramics, Clay brick, Terracotta, Ceramic tile, Architectural glass
- 10 Bituminous mixtures Introduction to bituminous mixtures, Microscopy of bituminous mixtures
Appendix A: Staining techniques for geomaterials petrography, Etching and staining techniques for cement minerals and slags
Appendix B: Suppliers of petrographic equipment, training and literature
Index
"[...] a worthy contribution to this growing area, which bridges the earth and materials sciences with significant reference to the underlying chemistry and crystallography. In doing so, its relevance to the practice of civil engineering is emphasised through well-chosen examples of materials in service and of their failure, induced by numerous mechanisms. Aimed at the practicing materials specialist, this book will also be of considerable value to those whose role involves interpreting expert opinion on geomaterials and to students of this field [...] illustrated with carefully selected micrographs and photographs [...] the faithful reproduction of the colour plates are a great credit to the publishers and printers [...] clear and succinct, yet contain[s] a wealth of valuable information, all richly illustrated [...] a worthy contribution to the literature in applied mineralogy and microscopy and is highly recommended. It will undoubtedly become an essential addition to the reference shelf of those working in this field."
– Mark Tyrer, Mineralogical magazine, 2011-02-15
"[...] a systematic, knowledgeable and focused approach to the subject. It is presented in a readable and informative style, illustrated with 370 quality colour photographs [...] The publisher Manson is extremely experienced in producing this type of high quality reference book [...] This text should certainly grace the libraries of civil engineering, architectural, materials, geological and archaeological university departments. Within the field of restorative stone conservation, this text will provide the benchmark from which to understand the range of geomaterials used. Retailing at GBP50 it would not be out of the price range or place on either a dedicated 4th year undergraduate or Masters Students bookshelf as a text book [...] a well illustrated, informative and useful volume."
– Owen Green, InFocus, 2011-06-01
"beautifully reproduced colour slides [...] a serious presentation of the subject, useful for the specialist or the worker with the various construction materials [...] the section on sampling is invaluable for the field practitioners [...] detailed descriptions of the material and their deterioration mechanisms [...] a valuable reference, well worth the GBP50 list price."
– Paul Livesey, Building Limes Forum Newsletter, 2011-06-01