Master the essential materials, methods, systems, and coordination principles behind modern building construction.
Building Construction Fundamentals Handbook: Materials, Methods, and Modern Practices for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Management is a practical, comprehensive guide for students and emerging professionals who want to understand how buildings are actually planned, coordinated, assembled, and made to perform.
Written by Edwin Hayes, this handbook connects architecture, engineering, construction management, and field practice in one clear resource. It explains how structural systems, building materials, codes, sequencing, constructability, building science, sustainability, and digital coordination come together throughout the construction process.
Inside, readers will explore:
Site preparation, soils, earthwork, foundations, drainage, and waterproofingConcrete, masonry, wood-frame, mass-timber, and structural steel constructionBuilding enclosures, roofing, windows, doors, glazing, and moisture controlInterior construction, ceilings, flooring, finishes, stairs, and millworkHVAC, plumbing, electrical, fire protection, and vertical transportation systemsConstruction documents, project delivery methods, BIM coordination, and clash detectionSustainable construction, embodied carbon, prefabrication, modular building, robotics, automation, and emerging technologiesDesigned for architecture, construction management, civil engineering, structural engineering, building science, and construction technology students, the book combines technical fundamentals with practical application. Learning objectives, key terms, construction insights, coordination checks, failure modes, review questions, and applied exercises help readers connect classroom knowledge with real-world building practice.
Whether you are studying building construction materials and methods, preparing for a career in the built environment, or looking for a reliable professional reference, this handbook provides the foundational knowledge needed to understand how modern buildings come together-from the ground up.