Geomaterials Under the Microscope: A Colour Guide

by Ingham; Jeremy

• ISBN13: 9781840761320
• ISBN10: 1840761326
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2010-12-15
• Publisher: CRC Press

Summary

Geomaterials are of enormous economic importance to the global construction industry. This is the first comprehensive guide to the petrography of geomaterials to make the petrographer's specialist knowledge available to practitioners, educators and students worldwide who are interested in modern and historic construction materials, be they microscopists or in the fields of geology, architechture, surveying, engineering, construction, archaeology, conservation, materials science and forensic science. The book provides some 365 high-quality color photomicrographs of geomaterials plus concise explanations of their petrographic properties and how to interpret them. An introductory chapter provides an overview of geomaterials practice and a state-of-the-art review of petrographic techniques. Each of the subsequent chapters covers a different group of construction materials and includes an explanation of their history, manufacture and use in construction. The text draws upon diverse published references to provide a unique summary of the properties and classification of construction materials. Comprehensive lists of further reading are provided for each materials type.

Excerpts

When I embarked upon my career as a constructionmaterials petrographer I found that there were no specificbooks available to help me learn the trade. Instead, likemany others my knowledge was gained directly from anexperienced expert who guided and supervised my earlywork. I have since been fortunate enough to haveenjoyed a broad range of industrial and researchexperience that has enabled me to compile thisguidebook, the process of which has taken 12 years.By providing the first comprehensive guide to thepetrography of geomaterials I have attempted to makethe specialized knowledge of the petrographer availableto all. It is intended not only for microscopists but foranyone with an interest in modern and historicconstruction materials from the fields of geology,architecture, surveying, engineering, construction,archaeology, conservation, materials science, andforensic science. The format of the book is a combinationof an atlas of high-quality colour photomicrographs ofgeomaterials, along with explanations of theirpetrographic properties and how to interpret them. Anintroductory chapter provides an overview ofgeomaterials practice and a state-of-the-art review ofpetrographic techniques. Each of the subsequent chapterscovers a different group of construction materials andincludes an explanation of their history, manufacture,and use in construction. The length of each of theindividual materials chapters reflects the relativeimportance of the material as an area of commercialpetrographic study.As a discipline, construction materials petrography isrelatively young and dynamic. I intend to update thisbook at regular intervals to reflect the growth inknowledge and changes to the state of practice. I wouldwelcome any contributions and case study examples tobe considered for inclusion in subsequent editions.