Manson Publishing 2011, pp189, £50, ISBN 9781840761320

This book looks at the use of optical micrographs for the study of building materials. Although it appears to be very specialised, the book contains information that would be useful to builders, architects, engineers and anyone with an interest in the building industry. The author has included high-quality prints of petrographic slides, which are designed to assist readers in the identification of a range of natural materials. While he describes himself as a geomaterials engineer, his bias towards geology does not prevent the book from being useful to the general reader.

The author concentrates on the polarising microscope as a means of examining materials, and includes sample preparation methods and a description of the equipment involved. Although experience is necessary for a full understanding of the micrographs, this book makes it possible for the reader to apply the information provided to specific materials. The book then divides into sections dedicated to different types of materials.

The first section looks at the microscopic structures of various types of natural slate and non-slate roofing products. Micrographs allow readers to monitor quality and distinguish between factors causing premature failings. Cheaper roofing products are also examined, with a look at factors causing their deterioration.

Next, the book examines the different types of aggregates. Grading, shape and surface texture of various aggregates are monitored with micrographs, and the working properties of each example are assessed as building products.

Concrete is then assessed in a similar way. Sampling and examination techniques are described and the various problems with concrete structures are discussed. Suitable micrographs for identifying leaching, frost cracking and salt corrosion are given, and examples of sulphite attacks – a major problem with pre-1950 houses in southwest England – are shown. There are also examples of chemical attack on sewers and the attack of de-icing salts on concrete roads. Another section looks at concrete products, including asbestos cement. Poorly laid and prepared flooring mixes are described to enable readers to identify them.

The environmental concerns associated with mortar and render are also discussed, alongside micrographs of different types of plaster to show how traditional products could be more sustainable. Further discussion of mortar and render gives safety advice for dealing with plasters containing animal hair, which can spread anthrax. Micrographs of Roman frescoes are compared to modern synthetic finishes, and specialist mortars are also considered.

There is also a brief section on bricks and terracotta that looks at various examining techniques and methods of investigating brick deterioration, and another short section on bituminious mixtures. This last short section discusses the structure of roads and differentiates between Macadams and asphalts.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in building materials, although it lacks detail in some areas.