PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION, 1884. In preparing the following pages, it has ever been the aim of the author to give to the architects and builders of this country a reference book which should be for them what Trautwine's "Pocket-Book" is to engineers,- -a compendium of practical facts, rules, and tables, presented in a form as convenient for application as possible, and as reliable as our present knowledge will permit. Only so much theory has been given as will render the application of the formulas more apparent, and aid the student in understanding, in some measure, the principles upon which the formulas are based. It is believed that nothing has been given in this book but what has been borne out in practice. As this book was not written for engineers, the more intricate problems of building construction, which may fairly be said to come within the province of the civil engineer, have been omitted. Desiring to give as much information as possible likely to be of service to architects and builders, the author has borrowed and quoted from many sources, in most cases with the permission of the authors. Much practical information has been derived from the various handbooks published by the large manufacturers of rolled-iron beams, bars, etc.; and the author has always found the publishers willing to aid him whenever requested. Although but very little has been taken from Trautwine's "Pocket-Book for Engineers," yet this valuable book has served the author as a model, which he has tried to imitate as well as the difference in the subjects would permit; and if his work shall prove of as much value to architects and builders as Mr. Trautwine's has to engineers, he will feel amply rewarded for his labor. As it is impossible for the author to verify all of the dimensions and miscellaneous information contained in Part III., he cannot speak for their accuracy, except that they were in all cases taken from what were considered reliable sources of information. The tables in Part II. have been carefully computed, and it is believed are free from any large errors. There are so many points of information often required by architects and builders, that it is difficult for one person to compile them all; and although the present volume is by no means a small one, yet the author desires to make his work as useful as possible to those for whom it has been prepared, and he will therefore be pleased to receive any information of a serviceable nature pertaining to architecture or building, that it may be inserted in future editions should such become necessary, and for the correction of any errors that may be found. The author, while compiling this volume, has consulted a great number of works relating to architecture and building; and as he has frequently been asked by students and draughtsmen to refer them to books from which they might acquire a better knowledge of construction and building, the following list of books is given as valuable works on the various subjects indicated by the titles: "Notes on Building Construction," compiled for the use of the students in the science and art schools, South Kensington, England. 3 vols. Rivingtons, publishers, London. "Building Superintendence," by T. M. Clark, architect and professor of architecture, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. J. R. Osgood & Co., publishers, Bostor. "The American House Carpenter" and "The Theory of Transverse Strains," both by Mr. R. G. Hatfield, architect, formerly of New York. "Graphical Analysis of Roof-Trusses," by Professor Charles E. Green of the University of Michigan. "The Fire Protection of Mills," by C. J. H. Woodbury, inspector for the Factory Mutual Fire Insurance Companies. John Wiley & Sons, publishers, New York. "House Drainage and Water Service," by James C. Bayles, editor of "The Iron Age" and "The Metal Worker." David Williams, publisher, New York. "The Builders' Guide and Estimators' Price-Book," and "Plaster and Plastering, Mortars, and Cements," by Fred. T. Hodgson, editor of "The Builder and Wood Worker." Industrial Publication Company, New York. "Foundations and Concrete Works," and "Art of Building," by E. Dobson. Weale's Series, London. It would be well if all of the above books might be found in every architect's office; but if the expense prevents that, the ambitious student and draughtsman should at least make himself acquainted with their contents. These works will also be found of great value to the enterprising builder. |