Why Buildings Fall Down: Why Structures Fail

by Matthys Levy, Mario Salvadori, Kevin Woest

Overview

The authors examine buildings of all kinds, from ancient domes like Istanbul's Hagia Sophia to the state-of-the-art Hartford Civic Arena. Their subjects range from the man-caused destruction of the Parthenon to the earthquake damage of 1989 in Armenia and San Francisco.

The stories that make up Why Buildings Fall Down are in the end very human ones, tales of the interaction of people and nature, of architects, engineers, builders, materials, and natural forces all coming together in sometimes dramatic (and always instructive) ways.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393311525
Publisher:	Norton, W. W. & Company, Inc.
Publication date:	02/17/2002
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	313,692
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.00(d)

Editorial Reviews

The reader is sure to find the disaster that suits his or her taste.

New York Times Book Review

Structural engineers Levy and Salvadori have written a well-paced, highly informative, nontechnical work describing failures in a variety of structures such as buildings, bridges, and dams. Salvadori wrote Why Buildings Stand Up (Norton, 1990), so this is a natural complement. The subject, somewhat grisly in nature, is presented here with respect for the tragedies involved, and yet with a lighthearted pursuit of the truth as to the cause of the failure. Analysis of the failure is discussed and recommendations for improvement are offered, but without the usual condescension hindsight allows. Profuse illustrations by Kevin Woest, well labeled and explained, and several appendixes aid access. An index (not seen) is provided, but no glossary. This fascinating book is easily accessible to laypersons. Highly recommended.-- Alex Hartmann, Bloomsburg Univ. Lib., Pa.

Library Journal

Levy, an architectural engineer, and Salvadori, professor emeritus of civil engineering and architecture at Columbia U., provide a fascinating account of the most important and interesting structural failures in history, and especially in the 20th century. Thoroughly illustrated by Kevin Woest. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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