Civil Engineering July 2021 | Vol 29 No 6

Civil Engineering July 2021 47 F irst published in 1957 and written almost entirely by Dr Frederick Sandrock (‘Sandy’) Fulton, Concrete Technology was one of the earliest at- tempts in the world at a comprehensive book on the subject and the book became known as “Fulton”. More than six decades later, the 10 th edition of Fulton’s Concrete Technology provides up-to-date information on mate- rials and other aspects of concrete with a specific focus on sustainability. The book is aimed at the student and practitioner and whether it finds its way onto the desk of an engineer, architect or consultant, is used as a source document for lecturers, or whether students make reference to it as a prescribed work, Fulton’s consolidates the experience and insights of experts in the field in a single volume relevant to concrete technology in South Africa. The latest edition of Fulton’s Concrete Technology comprises 37 chapters and features topics such as materials and mixes, concrete properties, manufacture, site practice, quality control and testing, as well as special concrete and techniques. It is a hard cover book with a searchable elec- tronic flash card, available to the public. Members of CCSA enjoy a discounted rate. A WELCOME UPDATE According to Bryan Perrie, CEO of CCSA, several years of intensive research and coordination preceded the publication of the revised and updated book which was last published in 2009. The authors of the various chapters, selected to offer a com- bination of experienced and young profes- sionals, were drawn from a wide range of backgrounds: academics and researchers, concrete producers and manufacturers, construction materials specialists, and consulting engineers. “The 2021 Fulton’s contains a wealth of new reference material and – with ten new chapters – represents a significant update on the previous edition. There is, for example, strong emphasis on sustain- ability – an issue of global concern in all sectors of industry,” says Perrie. He adds that the knowledge, experience and insights in concrete technology in the latest issue are, as usual, directed at South African conditions and will be welcomed by concrete practitioners and lecturers in diverse fields, as well as students for whom it is a prescribed reference work. With many of the authors of previous editions having retired and no longer in touch with the industry and develop- ments, it became necessary to bring new authors onboard to ensure that the technology presented in Fulton’s remains at the highest level. “Taking cognisance of the expressed needs of readers of previous editions, this edition has gone back to the format previously used in the 6 th edition. The book also contains a number of new chapters and the number of authors and co-authors has gone from 22 to 37,” adds Perrie. The latest book is edited by Prof. Mark Alexander, Emeritus Professor of Civil Engineering and Senior Research Scholar at the University of Cape Town. A past president of the global body RILEM (the International Union of Laboratories and Experts in Construction Materials, Systems and Structures) and a Fellow of SAICE, Alexander is the author of several respected concrete technology publica- tions, and his experience has been widely used in a consulting capacity both here and abroad. He says the latest edition of the book comes at a time of unprecedented change and challenge in the world, including South Africa. “Tremendous demands will be made of professionals in future to address issues such as sustainability of concrete construction, impact of climate change, and population growth. This makes the need for authoritative, relevant, accurate and up-to-date infor- mation on concrete – which remains the world’s most used construction material – absolutely vital. “Sustainability is essential to produce concrete in a manner that meets the needs of the population without irrepa- rably damaging the planet. Therefore, the sustainability theme is present throughout the book, with ‘sustainability focus’ text boxes in all pertinent chapters,” concludes Alexander.  New Fulton’s Concrete Technology champions sustainability The 10 th edition of Fulton’s Concrete Technology , commonly regarded as the South African “concrete bible” and globally recognised as a definitive handbook on concrete, was recently launched by Cement & Concrete SA (CCSA). CCSA members can order a copy by emailing info@cemcon-sa.org.za and non-members can purchase copies from www.bidorbuy.co.za . For more information contact the CCSA Information Centre on 011 315 0300.