Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Extreme Events: Robust Portfolio Construction in the Presence of Fat Tails (The Wiley Finance Series)

Extreme Events: Robust Portfolio Construction in the Presence of Fat Tails (The Wiley Finance Series) Review



Taking due account of extreme events when constructing portfolios of assets or liabilities is a key discipline for market professionals. Extreme events are a fact of life in how markets operate.

In Extreme Events: Robust Portfolio Construction in the Presence of Fat Tails, leading expert Malcolm Kemp shows readers how to analyse market data to uncover fat-tailed behaviour, how to incorporate expert judgement in the handling of such information, and how to refine portfolio construction methodologies to make portfolios less vulnerable to extreme events or to benefit more from them.

This is the only text that combines a comprehensive treatment of modern risk budgeting and portfolio construction techniques with the specific refinements needed for them to handle extreme events. It explains in a logical sequence what constitutes fat-tailed behaviour and why it arises, how we can analyse such behaviour, at aggregate, sector or instrument level, and how we can then take advantage of this analysis.

Along the way, it provides a rigorous, comprehensive and clear development of traditional portfolio construction methodologies applicable if fat-tails are absent. It then explains how to refine these methodologies to accommodate real world behaviour.

Throughout, the book highlights the importance of expert opinion, showing that even the most data-centric portfolio construction approaches ultimately depend on practitioner assumptions about how the world might behave.

 The book includes:

  • Key concepts and methods involved in analysing extreme events
  • A comprehensive treatment of mean-variance investing, Bayesian methods, market consistent approaches, risk budgeting, and their application to manager and instrument selection
  • A systematic development of the refinements needed to traditional portfolio construction methodologies to cater for fat-tailed behaviour
  • Latest developments in stress testing and back testing methodologies
  • A strong focus on the practical implementation challenges that can arise at each step in the process and on how to overcome these challenges

“Understanding how to model and analyse the risk of extreme events is a crucial part of the risk management process. This book provides a set of techniques that allow practitioners to do this comprehensively.”
Paul Sweeting, Professor of Actuarial Science, University of Kent

“How can the likeliness of crises affect the construction of portfolios? This question is highly topical in times where we still have to digest the last financial collapse. Malcolm Kemp gives the answer. His book is highly recommended to experts as well as to students in the financial field.”
Christoph Krischanitz, President Actuarial Association of Austria, Chairman WG “Market Consistency” of Groupe Consultatif


Sunday, August 28, 2011

Gas Engine Construction

Gas Engine Construction Review



This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.


Friday, August 26, 2011

Timber Framing for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Contemporary Post and Beam Construction

Timber Framing for the Rest of Us: A Guide to Contemporary Post and Beam Construction Review



Many natural building methods rely upon the use of post and beam frame structures that are then in-filled with straw, cob, cordwood, or more conventional wall materials. But traditional timber framing employs the use of finely crafted jointing and wooden pegs, requiring a high degree of craftsmanship and training, as well as much time and expense. However, there is another way . . .

Timber Framing for the Rest of Us describes the timber framing methods used by most contractors, farmers and owner-builders—methods that use modern metal fasteners, special screws and common sense building principles to accomplish the same goal in much less time. And while there are many good books on traditional timber framing, this is the first to describe in depth these more common fastening methods. The book includes everything an owner-builder needs to know about building strong and beautiful structural frames from heavy timbers, including:
the historical background of timber framing
crucial design and structural considerations
procuring timbers—including different woods and recycled materials
foundations, roofs and in-filling considerations
the common fasteners

A detailed case study of a timber frame project from start to finish completes this practical and comprehensive guide, along with a useful appendix of span tables and a bibliography.

Highly illustrated, this book enables "the rest of us" to build like the professionals and will appeal to owner-builders, contractors and architects alike.

Rob Roy is a former contractor with 11 previous books to his credit. He has been utilizing timber framing techniques for the past 25 years in the construction of homes, as well as in the numerous outbuildings at Earthwood Building School which he founded in 1981 with his wife, Jaki. He is most recently the author of Cordwood Building: The State of the Art (New Society, 2003).


Thursday, August 25, 2011

Retaining Walls: Their Design and Construction [ 1920 ]

Retaining Walls: Their Design and Construction [ 1920 ] Review



Originally published in 1920. This volume from the Cornell University Library's print collections was scanned on an APT BookScan and converted to JPG 2000 format by Kirtas Technologies. All titles scanned cover to cover and pages may include marks notations and other marginalia present in the original volume.


Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Basics Construction Scheduling

Basics Construction Scheduling Review



In a world of tight time frames and highly interdependent processes, scheduling is an indispensable prerequisite for successful project implementation. It is the duty of the architect to manage all the project participants in a goal-oriented manner and to call for their results when the time is right. For this reason, a systematic schedule of target dates, adapted to a project s sequences and workflows, is a necessary tool for the day-to-day management and monitoring of complex construction projects.

Topics:

  • Organizing the planning and construction process
  • The basics of scheduling
  • Goal-oriented presentation formats and levels of detail
  • Developing a schedule
  • Using schedules in the real world


Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Interior Detailing: Concept to Construction (CourseSmart)

Interior Detailing: Concept to Construction (CourseSmart) Review



The all-in-one interior detailing guide that unites creative and technical aspects

A well-executed interior space requires the successful combination of the creative and the technical. Interior Detailing bridges the gap between design and construction, and shows how to develop and transform design concepts into details that meet the constraints, functional requirements, and constructability issues that are part of any interior design element. It offers guidance on how design professionals can combine imaginative thinking and the application of technical resources to create interiors that are aesthetically pleasing, functionally superior, and environmentally sound. Interior Detailing:

  • Includes 150 easy-to-understand details showing how to logically think through the design and development of an assembly so that it conforms to the designer's intent and meets the practical requirements of good construction

  • Describes how to solve any detailing design problem in a rational way

  • Contains conceptual and practical approaches to designing and detailing construction components thatform interior spaces

  • Shows how a small number of principles can be used to solve nearly any detailing problem

This guide covers the subject of interior spaces comprehensively by balancing the contributions of physical beauty and structural integrity in one complete volume. By following the principles laid out in this book, interior designers and architects can plan for the construction of a unique interior environment more thoughtfully and with a clearer, better-defined purpose.


Sunday, August 21, 2011

Construction Jobsite Management

Construction Jobsite Management Review



Construction Jobsite Management Feature

  • New chapter on green building and the responsibilities of the jobsite manager.
  • Updated chapter on the use of computers in jobsite management.
  • Explanation of commonly used construction douments.
This new updated third edition of Construction Jobsite Management deals with all facets of construction project management from the contractor's point of view. It examines the duties that are handled by the project manager, construction superintendent, and construction engineer throughout the progress of a job, from the configurations of a project team through project closeout. A hallmark of this book is its dedicated focus on the activities of jobsite personnel that includes helpful techniques and procedures for effectively managing a project from start to finish. The clear, concise language in which it is written makes this book an essential introduction to the "real world" of effective management techniques.


Saturday, August 20, 2011

Construction of Prestressed Concrete Structures (Wiley Professional)

Construction of Prestressed Concrete Structures (Wiley Professional) Review



Methods and practices for constructing sophisticated prestressed concrete structures.

Construction of Prestressed Concrete Structures, Second Edition, provides the engineer or construction contractor with a complete guide to the design and construction of modern, high-quality concrete structures. This highly practicable new edition of Ben C. Gerwick's classic guide is expanded and almost entirely rewritten to reflect the dramatic developments in materials and techniques that have occurred over the past two decades.

The first of the book's two sections deals with materials and techniques for prestressed concrete, including the latest recipes for high-strength and durable concrete mixes, new reinforcing materials and their placement patterns, modern prestressing systems, and special techniques such as lightweight concrete and composite construction. The second section covers application to buildings; bridges; pilings; and marine structures, including offshore platforms, floating structures, tanks, and containments. Special subjects such as cracking and corrosion, repair and strengthening of existing structures, and construction in remote areas are presented in the final chapters.

For engineers and construction contractors involved in any type of prestressed concrete construction, this book enables the effective implementation of advanced structural concepts and their economical and reliable translation into practice.


Friday, August 19, 2011

Spanish for the Construction Trade

Spanish for the Construction Trade Review



This book has been prepared especially to aid communication among building contractors and subcontractors, carpenters, plumbers, electricians, heavy machinery operators and others in the construction industry, where both English-speaking and Hispanic personnel work together. Author William Harvey provides an informal, user-friendly approach to Spanish, concentrating on everyday words and phrases that apply to the building trades and to related skills and professions. True-to-life bilingual dialogues presented in the book recreate work and work-related situations.


Thursday, August 18, 2011

GARDENING INDOORS AND UNDER GLASS: A Practical Guide to the Planting, Care and Propagation of House Plants, and to the Construction and Management of Hotbed, Coldframe and Small Greenhouse

GARDENING INDOORS AND UNDER GLASS: A Practical Guide to the Planting, Care and Propagation of House Plants, and to the Construction and Management of Hotbed, Coldframe and Small Greenhouse Review



Rockwell provides a concise though thorough coverage of indoor and greenhouse gardening. The author has written numerous books on all aspects of gardening including "Home Vegetable Gardening", "Round the Year in the Garden", and "The Key to the Land".


Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Compiler Construction: Principles and Practice

Compiler Construction: Principles and Practice Review



Compiler Construction: Principles and Practice features a comprehensive, hands-on case study project for constructing an actual, working compiler. This case study involves a relatively simple programming language that will expose readers to the basic concepts used (and potential pitfalls) in constructing larger compilers. Kenneth Louden and his colleagues at San Jose State University have successfully class-tested this approach. Professionals joining or beginning a compiler project will find Compiler Construction valuable, as it provides the basic theory, necessary tools, and practical experience to design and program an authentic compiler.


Monday, August 15, 2011

Was Hinduism Invented?: Britons, Indians, and the Colonial Construction of Religion

Was Hinduism Invented?: Britons, Indians, and the Colonial Construction of Religion Review



Drawing on a large body of previously untapped literature, including documents from the Church Missionary Society and Bengali newspapers, Brian Pennington offers a fascinating portrait of the process by which "Hinduism" came into being. He argues against the common idea that the modern construction of religion in colonial India was simply a fabrication of Western Orientalists and missionaries. Rather, he says, it involved the active agency and engagement of Indian authors as well, who interacted, argued, and responded to British authors over key religious issues such as image-worship, sati, tolerance, and conversion.


Sunday, August 14, 2011

Construction Guide for Soils and Foundations, 2nd Edition

Construction Guide for Soils and Foundations, 2nd Edition Review



Other volumes in the Wiley Series of Practical Construction Guides, edited by M.D. Morris, P.E. Construction of and on Compacted Fills Edward J. Monahan Offers practical and useful information for all those involved in the planning, specifications, and execution of earthwork construction. Aimed at showing practitioners in this field, from the architect to the fill inspector, how to avoid costly and potentially dangerous losses due to defective earth structures or fills. Aimed specifically at the nonspecialists who are routinely involved but do not consult with geotechnical specialists. 1986 (0471-87463-9) 200 pp. Construction Dewatering A Guide to Theory and Practice J. Patrick Powers Here are practical solutions to the problems of ground water control based on an amalgam of theory and practice from the author's more than 30 years' experience working on major construction and mining projects. Among the subjects covered are geology of soils, soil characteristics, hydrology of aquifers, hydrologic analysis of dewatering systems, piezometers, pumping tests, geotechnical investigation of dewatering, pump theory, ground water chemistry, piping systems, selecting a dewatering method, sumps drains, deep well systems, well-point systems, and more. 1981 (0471-69591-2) 484 pp. Construction Glossary An Encyclopedic Reference and Manual J. Stewart Stein In this reference/manual, J. Stewart Stein, AIA, FCSI, puts his extensive first-hand experience to use to help construction industry professionals through the maze of multiple meanings, historical references, and technical jargon in the construction language. The material is formatted to follow the 16 major divisions of the Construction Specifications Institute's Master Format and the Uniform Construction index's specifications format. 1986 (0471-85736-X) 1,013 pp. Paper Construction of Drilled Pier Foundations David M, Greet and William S. Gardner ".an authoritative and useful work of reference for engineers, geologists, contractors and all those who need to improve their knowledge of the equipment and techniques for bored piling and of the specifications controlling their use." --Geotechnique Focusing on foundation types, construction methods and quality control, Construction of Drilled Pier Foundations is the first of a two-volume reference that will update and expand on the groundwork established by the 15-year-old Drilled Pier Foundations. It is comprehensive, detailed, and up-to-date, with current techniques, equipment, and practice. 1986 (0471-82881-5) 246 pp.


Friday, August 12, 2011

Piping and Pipeline Calculations Manual: Construction, Design Fabrication and Examination

Piping and Pipeline Calculations Manual: Construction, Design Fabrication and Examination Review



The integrity of a piping system depends on the considerations and principles used in design, construction, and maintenance of the system. Piping systems are made of many components such as pipes, flanges, supports, gaskets, bolts, valves, strainers, flexibles, and expansion joints. These components can be made in a variety of materials, in different types and sizes, and may be manufactured to common national standards or according a manufacturers proprietary item. This book provides engineers and designers with a ?quick reference guide? to the calculations, codes, and standards.

The lack of commentary, or historical perspective, regarding the codes and standards requirements for piping design and construction is an obstacle to the designer, manufacturer, fabricator, supplier, erector, examiner, inspector, and owner who want to provide a safe and economical piping system. An intensive manual, this book will utilize hundreds of calculation and examples based on of 40 years of personal experiences of the author as both an engineer and instructor. Each example demonstrates how the code and standard has been correctly and incorrectly applied.

This book is a ?no nonsense? guide to the principle intentions of the codes or standards and provides advice on compliance. After using this book the reader should come away with a clear understanding of how piping systems fail and what the code requires the designer, manufacturer, fabricator, supplier, erector, examiner, inspector, and owner to do to prevent such failures. The focus of the book is to enhance participants? understanding and application of the spirit of the code or standard and form a plan for compliance. The book is enhanced by a multitude of calculations to assist in problem solving, directly applying the rules and equations for specific design and operating conditions to illustrate correct applications. Each calculation is based on a specific code. The major codes covered in the book are:

American Society of Mechanical Engineers
? B31.3 - 2002 - Process Piping
? B31.8 - 2003 - Gas Transmission and Distribution Piping Systems
? B31.8S - 2001 - 2002 - Managing System Integrity of Gas Pipelines
? B31.4 - 2002 - Pipeline Transportation Systems for Liquid Hydrocarbons and Other Liquids
? B16.34 - 2004 Valves Flanged, Threaded and Welding End

American Petroleum Institute
? API SPEC 6D - Specification for Pipeline Valves.
? API 526 - Flanged Steel Pressure Relief Valves.
? API 527 - Seat Tightness of Pressure Relief Valves R(2002).
? ANSI/API STD 594 - Check Valves: Flanged, Lug, Wafer and Butt-welding.
? API 598 - Valve Inspection and Testing.
The book covers American Water Works Association standards where they are applicable.


Utilizes hundreds of calculation and examples
Guide to the principle intentions of the codes
Easy to follow advice on code compliance
Directly applies equations for specific design


Thursday, August 11, 2011

The JLC Guide To Moisture Control: Practical Details for Durable Buildings

The JLC Guide To Moisture Control: Practical Details for Durable Buildings Review



The JLC Guide To Moisture Control: Practical Details for Durable Buildings Feature

  • ISBN13: 9781928580362
  • Condition: New
  • Notes: BRAND NEW FROM PUBLISHER! 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. Tracking provided on most orders. Buy with Confidence! Millions of books sold!

This fully-illustrated book features the proven techniques and state-of-the-art products that will help you keep water from penetrating your structures, and remove the moisture that inevitably gets inside. From footings to ridge, in cold and hot climates, youll get our experts best advice on: vapor barrier dos and donts, keeping basements and crawlspaces dry, proper flashing for windows and doors, water-managed wall systems for optimal siding performance, storm-proof stucco details, keeping paints and stains on exterior wood, solutions for vented and unvented roofs, leak-free flashing details, and low-cost whole-house ventilation.


Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Process Plant Construction: A Handbook for Quality Management

Process Plant Construction: A Handbook for Quality Management Review



This handbook introduces engineers, project and construction managers, and senior technicians to a methodology for the management of quality on a process plant construction site.

The eleven chapters of the handbook define the roles and appellations of the parties involved in a project as well as outlining the fundamental strategic and contractual orientations to be decided. The ISO 9000 series of standards are examined within the context of the process plant construction site. A study is then made of the roles of the organizations involved and of the interfaces between them. Special attention is given to document and materiel control, followed by a review of the various monitoring and feedback systems to keep the project on track moving towards the ultimate goal of satisfactory construction completion leading to turnover. Model procedures are proposed, complete with forms attached, and a number of case studies are included to illustrate the practical application of the principles presented.

Process Plant Construction: a handbook for quality management is completed by appendices covering Civil Works & Buildings, Mechanical Equipment, HVAC, Welding, Structural Steelwork, Piping, Electrical Installation, Instrumentation & Control, Painting, and Thermal Insulation. Each appendix, aimed at the non-specialist, presents briefly for the discipline concerned the nature of the works likely to be met on site, evokes the parties involved and highlights quality issues to be addressed. Typical inspection and test programs are outlined.


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Dwelling House Construction, Fifth Edition

Dwelling House Construction, Fifth Edition Review



In print since 1948, Dwelling House Construction is a homebuilding classic that covers site inspection, foundations, framing, windows, roofing and flashing, coatings, fireplaces and chimneys, insulation, hardware, plastics, mobile homes, and manufactured housing.This new edition has been substantially revised to take into account the many changes in materials and building technologies that have occurred over the past decade. The chapter on roofing has been completely revised. The chapters on coatings and plastics have been combined, as have those on manufactured and mobile housing. Sections on masonry, wood, steel, steel framing, and concrete have been added; the sections on septic tanks, balloon framing, braced framing, plaster, and standard requirements have been shortened, and specification clauses have been eliminated.Albert G. H. Dietz is Professor Emeritus of Building Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.