Land contamination - management of financial risk. C545.
J.R. Finnamore, B. Denton & C.P. Nathanail. 2000.
When carrying out any investigation, assessment or remedial treatment of contaminated land, one can never be 100 per cent certain that all environmental risks have been identified and removed. New and historic land contamination can seriously affect the value of property, even to the extent of turning an apparently valuable asset into an expensive liability. It is therefore important that construction professionals involved in contaminated land projects understand their financial risk exposure and know how to manage the risk efficiently. This publication reviews the ways in which different parties involved in such projects currently manage financial risk and provides specific guidance to help professionals improve their practice.
ISBN 0 86017 545 6  $351.00

Laterite in road pavements. SP047.
J.H. Charman. 1988.
This publication provides a classification scheme for laterites, gives guidance on effective field prospecting and discusses specifications used in tropical countries.
ISBN 0 86017 275 9  $80.00

Low-cost options for prevention of flooding from sewers. C506.
R.W.P. May, P. Martin & N.J. Price. 1998.
An essential reference book for all engineers, planners and designers involved in constructing or maintaining drainage works. Some 32,000 properties could be at risk of flooding from sewers in the next 10 years. As well as being a key issue for the owners and occupiers of those properties, it is one that has important implications for sewerage undertakers and the water industry regulator, Ofwat. This book shows that, in many cases, the solutions need not involve expensive major works aimed at increasing overall sewer capacity. The installation of anti-flooding devices, for example, or making use of better storage capacity in the system may prove just as effective. It guides the user through the choices available, provides detailed criteria for selecting suitable options for each type of flooding problem and gives typical costs for each option. Clearly written, with useful checklists and cost comparisons.
ISBN 0 86017 506 5  $126.00

Low-temperature thermal desorption - hydrocarbon and PCB remediation case studies. PR038.
J. Birnstingl. 2000.
The potential of treatment technologies for the cost-effective remediation of contaminated land is becoming more widely recognized. In particular, on-site, ex-situ methods avoid the environmental impacts and costs associated with transportation and off-site disposal of contaminated soil. This report is a case study which describes the state of development of a mobile low-temperature thermal desorption soil remediation unit (SRU) operated in the UK by British Aerospace Royal Ordnance. The principles of thermal desorption, its applicability and limitations are explained and the SRU plant and process described. The report includes information on two remediation trials: hydrocarbon-contaminated sand and PCB-contaminated clay. The trials are described and the results presented and interpreted. Cost analyses are included and cost-sensitive factors are identified. Part of CIRIA's contaminated land program.
ISBN 0 86017 838 2  $80.00

Management of gully pots for optimum runoff quality. R183.
M. Osborne, D. Butler, P. Clarke & F. Memon. 1998.
Gully pots act as runoff points to surface water sewers, combined sewers and highway drains. Their main purpose is to intercept solid material that would otherwise cause blockages in the sewerage system. They also act as water seals to prevent the escape of odor from combined sewers. But gully pots can have a detrimental effect on water quality since they provide a reservoir of contaminated sediment and a source of polluted liquor which can be flushed into sewers and watercourses during routine maintenance or intense summer storms. This book recommends best management practice to minimize these detrimental effects. Following a review of potential problems, the legal position and water quality issues, it sets out guidance for those responsible for installing and maintaining gully pots. It concludes that improved designs of gully that retain more sediment would offer significant benefits in reducing pollutant discharge.
ISBN 0 86017 490 5  $108.00

The management of technical excellence in design organisations. C531.
G. Alwani-Starr. 2000.
One key area in which design service providers compete is their specialist technical knowledge and professional competence. The management of technical excellence in design organizations is therefore an important short-term competitive issue, as well as being vital for the long-term survival and growth of the firm in an increasingly competitive worldwide environment. This publication summarizes a CIRIA study of twelve of the UK’s leading design consultants and contractors. The study, which was carried out between January and September 1998, aimed to establish how technical excellence is managed within the participating organizations and investigate the environment in which it flourishes. A lengthy confidential report containing all the raw data collected during the project was prepared for the participants, but this publication is a summary of the full data and is for wider distribution. It is aimed at managers of design teams in all types of construction companies and those who are interested in promoting the concept of technical excellence within their organizations. It concentrates on the conclusions drawn and offers recommendations for good practice. Background information on practice in other industries is also presented to aid the reader to put current UK construction practice in context.
ISBN 0 86017 531 6  $80.00

Managing materials and components on site. SP146.
P. Guthrie, A.C. Woolveridge and S. Coventry. 1998.
On most sites, at least 10 per cent of all raw materials delivered to site are wasted through damage, loss and over-ordering. On many construction sites this figure is higher. There's no doubt that improving the management of materials and components reduces material wastage and increases site efficiency and that this in turn will result in reduced costs. And there are environmental benefits too - fewer resources are used and the need for disposal sites is reduced. This handbook is designed for easy reference on or off site by site managers, site engineers and supervisors. The introduction identifies the main areas of wastage and the benefits of good practice. This is followed by guidance on general materials management covering storage areas, ordering, deliveries and fire prevention. The final section contains detailed guidance on handling and storing the most commonly used materials and components on site.
ISBN 0 86017 481 6  $80.00

Managing project change - a best practice guide. C556.
D. Lazarus & R. Clifton. 2001.
A fundamental problem within the construction industry is that projects run behind program and are being completed over budget. The clients and the general public are aware of this difficulty, which can result in client dissatisfaction and create problems with the design team, contractors and suppliers. Managing project change presents best practice recommendations for the effective management of change on projects. It describes the establishment and operation of change management systems, the reasons for, and sources of, change and the procedures that should be adopted in order to control and manage its impact. The guide defines the key principles of managing change, highlighting the different types of change that may occur and how these affect a project at different stages. It explains the importance of establishing and maintaining an appropriate project culture from the outset and suggests how this may best be accomplished. The guide also contains a toolkit with pro-formas, flowcharts and schedules for use in the implementation of an effective change management system. This publication is aimed primarily at the clients, project managers and design and construction leaders who determine the project objectives and establish the project management processes at the outset. It will be of value to all involved in the conception, organization and implementation of construction projects and the recommendations are applicable to all forms of construction.
ISBN 0 86017 556 1  $144.00

Manual on scour at bridges and other hydraulic structures. C551.
R. May, J. Ackers & A. Kirby. 2002.
Structures built in or near rivers and other channels can be vulnerable to scour around their foundations. If the depth of the scour becomes significant, the stability of the foundations may be endangered, with a consequent risk of damage or failure of the structure. In the past 15 years, there have been several bridge failures, resulting in transport disruption, economic loss and, on occasion, loss of life. Some of these failures are included in the manual’s summary case studies. The factors influencing scour are complex and vary according to the type of structure. Protection works for preventing scour need to be designed to withstand the flow forces imposed on them and have to be practicable to build and install, while minimizing adverse environmental effects. The manual therefore considers scour processes, estimating and assessing scour, protective measures, monitoring, environmental factors, risk assessments, and cost and benefit analyses. This manual is intended for engineers engaged in the design, construction, operation and maintenance of structures in the water environment that may be subject to scour of erodible beds or banks. It is equally relevant to UK and worldwide scour problems, and to new as well as existing structures.
ISBN 0 86017 551 0  $180.00

Manual on the use of rock in coastal and shoreline engineering. SP083.
CIRIA. 1991.
This, the first-ever European manual on the use of rock in coastal and shoreline engineering, is intended for use by practicing civil engineers with some experience of coastal conditions where protection against wind-generated waves is one of the dominant design considerations. The non-specialist will find it useful in that it aims to provide the user with an understanding of the principles and procedures involved. The manual sets out an integrated approach to the planning and design process by considering a range of related parameters, such as environmental implications and the availability of materials, alongside basic engineering requirements. Produced jointly by CIRIA and CUR (Centre for Civil Engineering Research and Codes) in the Netherlands, the manual reflects British and Dutch national and international experience.
ISBN 0 86017 326 7  $216.00

Marine sand and gravel in north-west Europe - a fact-finding and scoping study. PR068.
B. Humphreys et al. 1999.
There is a continuing demand for marine sand and gravel resources on the north-west European continental shelf. This demand is increasing as a result of sharpening environmental pressures on land aggregate extraction and rising demand for marine materials for coastal defense and reclamation. However, knowledge of offshore sand and gravel resources varies greatly across north-west Europe. Although much of the area has been geologically surveyed and maps are available showing the general distribution of seabed sediments, there are significant gaps in the coverage. Only the governments of the UK and the Netherlands produce estimates of the long-term demand for sand and gravel, and these two countries have also carried out the most advanced resource assessments. In other sectors of the North Sea data are far less comprehensive. This book reviews the state of information and practice concerning marine aggregate resources, identifies the principal holdings of information that are in the public domain and indicates their currency and completeness. It also sets out a number of recommendations that merit further investigation. PR68 will be of interest to all organizations involved in the marine sand and gravel industry in north-west Europe, including government planning and licensing bodies, dredging and construction companies, coastal defense authorities, coastal engineers and local area planning authorities.
ISBN 0 86017 868 4  $80.00

Maximising the use and exchange of coastal data - a guide to best practice. C541.
K. Millard & P. Sayers. 2000.
In the coastal zone there are many operators whose activities involve the use of coastal data. Many of these operators experience difficulty in obtaining the data they require, often not because it is unavailable but because it is inaccessible, hard to locate, of unknown quality or presented in an inappropriate format. There is also the problem of duplication of effort, and thus costs, due to a lack of mechanism for data exchange. This publication looks at such issues and the current situation in the UK, and suggests policies and mechanisms that can be used to maximize the use and exchange of coastal data. C541 provides a guide to best practice aimed at improving the management of data by those who operate in the coastal zone. The report is divided into two sections. Part 1, which is primarily intended for the coastal manager or data user, introduces information and data provision requirements for coastal management and the issues mentioned above, and provides a framework and set of best practice guidelines that can be adopted to maximize data exchange and reuse. Part 2 is aimed mainly at the data collector or data manager. It details current practice and the factors that restrict better exchange and use of data, analyses technologies for wider data use and better exchange systems, and develops the principles of good data management by discussing what can be achieved now and in the future. The publication also provides an invaluable list of organizations able to provide data, as well as useful Internet sites and list-servers.
ISBN 0 86017 541 3  $144.00

The measurement of methane and other gases from the ground. R131.
D. Crowhurst & S.J. Manchester. 1993.
An essential reference for finding out what methods and techniques are available for the detection of methane and other gases from the ground. This book also describes how to sample these gases and take measurements relevant to mitigating the problems they pose. While centered on methane and landfill gas, the book covers carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases too. There is comprehensive guidance on detecting gas, identifying the source, measuring and sampling different gases, and on the interpretation of the results. Also features the use of monitoring systems on site and within buildings. Published by CIRIA in conjunction with the Fire Research Station of BRE.
ISBN 0 86017 372 0  $144.00

Methane - its occurrence and hazards in construction. R130.
P.J. Hooker & M.P. Bannon. 1993.
Methane and other gases that often occur with it can be a significant hazard throughout the construction process. It is vital that construction professionals take these gases into account and assess the risks they pose both during and following construction. This book will arm you with information to recognize potential methane problems and initiate the process of finding solutions for them. After a summary of the physical and chemical properties of these gases, the book describes their hazardous characteristics. How and in what situation methane is formed, how it moves or can be moved in the ground, and how the source of the methane can be identified are all explained. Case studies and scenarios of typical situations show how and when methane can affect construction projects. Published in conjunction with the British Geological Survey.
ISBN 0 86017 373 9  $144.00

Methane investigation strategies. R150.
J.G. Raybould, S.P. Rowam & D.L. Barry. 1995.
Good practice guidance for practitioners from practitioners. This title was prepared following a comprehensive review of current guidance documents and detailed consultation with practitioners, developers, local authorities, funders and insurers. It sets out rational approaches to site investigations where methane or landfill gas could be present. The book addresses the requirements and duties of different stakeholders in the development process for reliable information at different stages about potential gas hazards and provides a general framework in which to plan site-specific gas investigations to satisfy these different needs. Tables, flowcharts and examples are used to illustrate the text throughout.
ISBN 0 86017 435 2  $108.00

Modular gravity retaining walls - design guidance. C516.
T. Chapman. 2000.
This publication sets out good practice in the planning, selection, design, installation and maintenance of low-height modular retaining walls, composed of different modular units. It will be valuable for specifiers, designers, manufacturers, installers and owners. While primarily concerned with gravity walls of retained heights up to three meters, many of the principles also apply to higher walls. The report accords with design to Eurocode 7 part 1 and to BS 8002:1994, and is also consistent with design to Highway Agency Standards. The report reviews low-height modular retaining wall systems, provides guidance for their selection, and explains the principles and other considerations of wall design. It deals with the engineering properties of soil and fill, and the choices of design values and external loads. While covering general design applications such as the assessment of external stability, there are design calculations for specific wall types, particularly for external stability. There are notes on specification and quality control, and the concluding chapters examine the performance requirements for low-height modular retaining walls, including the need for regular maintenance, with suggested schedules for inspection visits. Worked examples are included in the appendices.
ISBN 0 86017 516 2  $162.00

Monitoring, maintenance and rehabilitation of water supply boreholes. R137.
P. Howsam, B. Misstear & C. Jones. 1995.
This report provides best practice guidance on borehole monitoring, maintenance, rehabilitation and design and construction to optimize water supply from groundwater sources. In particular it encourages a coordinated approach to borehole managements by relating borehole performance to the condition of the abstraction system and to physical, chemical and microbial processes. An understanding of these processes helps borehole operators to decide what, where and how to monitor, how to interpret results, and which maintenance or rehabilitation strategy to adopt. The report concludes with a review of the main principles and guidance on the development of a monitoring and maintenance strategy, and recommendations for further research are made. The publication includes a substantial bibliography and two appendices which give detailed information on specific capacity and screen entrance velocity.
ISBN 0 86017 417 4  $80.00

More for less - a contractor's guide to improving productivity in construction. C566.
M. Horner & R. Duff. 2001.
There is a grave danger that the UK construction industry will follow car manufacturing, where not one major British company remains. We are past the point of paying lip service to international best practice; we must match it or die. Surprisingly, few contractors have taken it upon themselves to improve their productivity, yet some observers believe that the construction industry is struggling to survive. Many UK clients consider the industry to be unresponsive and inefficient; certainly there have been few changes in the last 50 years. It is hardly surprising, then, that the 1994 Latham Report called for an increase in efficiency of 30 per cent. The real threat, however, comes from outside the local environment. Construction is a global industry and British contractors have to compete against their international counterparts, not only overseas, but on home ground too. French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and Scandinavian companies are all working on British projects that once would have been the preserve of indigenous contractors. On a recent series of demonstration projects managed by Kvaerner Construction Ltd (now Skanska), Lorne Stewart PLC and Tarmac (now Carillion), labor productivity was increased by more than 25 percent. This guide provides the detailed, practical advice that will allow other contractors to achieve similar success. This book is essential reading for contractors, designers, quantity surveyors, operations directors, project managers, site supervisors, construction clients, materials and components suppliers, construction management academics and students.
ISBN 0 86017 566 9  $20.00