Geometry of Construction


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Geometry of Construction

T. B. Nicholls and N. P. Keep

Hardback £30.00 $60.00

Publication date 13 July 2009

240 pages

ISBN 978 1 873394 89 2

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Introduction to the 2009 edition

Read the new introduction by Richard Hoyle and Daren Tailby

First published in 1947 with a second expanded edition in 1954, Geometry of Construction remains the most concise and instructive guide to geometry, and a vital resource for students and professionals in architecture, carpentry, stone masonry and engineering.

Beginning with the very basics of technical drawing this new reprint of the 1954 edition provides a series of increasingly complex exercises to clearly explain all that the reader needs to know about the subject. A feature of the book is its layout, which is a model of clarity, linking concise, easy to follow instructions side by side with extremely clear and detailed diagrams. These progress from the basics such as angles, chords, the circle and the construction of scales, to some of the most complex challenges, including spiral curves, intersecting mouldings and geometrical tracery.

Includes basic principles, progressing to more complex and intricate details
Combines clear, detailed drawings with careful explanations
Provides a series of steps helping the reader to test their skills
High quality reproduction of original 1954 second edition

Contents:

Contents: Lettering for working drawings v Some definitions v Bisectors and perpendiculars v Angles by bisection v Angles and triangles v Construction of triangles v Scale of chords v Quadrilaterals and parallel lines v Construction of quadrilaterals v Regular polygons and their construction v The circle v The construction of scales v Enlargement by squares v Orthographic projection v Arrangement of projections v Isometric projection v Oblique projection v Axonometric projection v The projections of a circle v Orthographic projection: an example v Isometric projection: an example v Axonometric projection: an example v Oblique projection: an example v The circle in mouldings v Arch curves v Mouldings v Tangents to circles v Construction v Circles in contact v Tangents to circles: external and internal v Inscribed circles v Foiled figures v Continuous curves v Loci: locus of centres v Fret patterns v Patterns based on squares v Patterns based on circles v Patterns in circles v The ellipse as a plane figure v The parabola and hyperbola v Conic sections in mouldings v Approximations to ellipse v Areas v Calculation of areas v Calculations of volumes v Similitude v Entasis of column v Spiral curves v Ionic volute v Geometrical solids v Projections of solids: cube: triangular prism: hexagonal prism: cylinder: square pyramid: triangular pyramid: hexagonal pyramid: cone v Auxiliary projection v Sections of solids v The ellipse as a conic section v Projection of points v Projection of lines v Projection of planes v The lengths of lines v The oblique plane v Roof surfaces v The parabola as a conic section v The hyperbola as a conic section v Cuttings of sphere v Developments v Interpenetration v Intersecting mouldings v Pediment mouldings v Tracery v Tracery panels v Geometrical tracery v Developments of sphere v Hemispherical dome v Barrel vaulting v The helix v Shadow projection v Index.

The authors:

Trafalgar Bertram Nichols A.I.O.B., M.I.P.H.E., A.I.Struct.E, was born in 1908 at Orsett, Essex. He progressed through industry into teaching and by the early 1930s had become Head of the Building Department at Guildford County Technical College (now Guildford College of Further and Higher Education).

Norman Presto Keep F.R.I.B.A, was born in 1894 at Wandsworth, London. He was an experienced member of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) and taught Construction at Willesden Technical College (now The College of North West London) where he was Head of the Building Department. He also became the chief examiner in Building for Surrey County Council.

From the reviews:

There are deep concerns in the masonry industry that the real “skill crisis” lies in drawing and setting out. In the same way that mastery of basic hand tools is essential before a student can be allowed to use power tools, understanding and using geometry to set out should prelude the use of Computer Aided Design or similar. Ensuring that every masonry student is provided with a copy of this excellent book would be a positive move to that end.

The true value of this book is that it is written in such a clear and concise manner that it allows students to teach themselves – a valuable quality in a training environment where time is continually of the essence.

JAC

I can not see that this this text book is any less valid than when it was first published in 1947, or when I used a similar learning aid many years later... Even as a new publication, this has a timeless quality. I would recommend it as a lifelong study companion for anyone wishing to understand the origins of geometry and architectural conservation.

Context

Donhead Publishing 2010