Construction Technology

How did a simple design error cause one of the great disasters of the 1980s - the collapse of the walkways at the Kansas City Hyatt Regency Hotel? What made the graceful and innovative Tacoma Narrows Bridge twist apart in a mild wind in 1940? How did an oversized waterlily inspire the magnificent Crystal Palace, the crowning achievement of Victorian architecture and engineering? These are some of the failures and successes that Henry Petroski, author of the acclaimed The Pencil, examines in this engaging, wonderfully literate book.

We are living in a new urban age and its most tangible expression is the "supertall": megastructures that are dramatically bigger, higher, and more ambitious than any in history. In Supertall, TED Resident Stefan Al—himself an experienced architect who has worked on some of the largest buildings in the world—reveals the advancements in engineering, design, and data science that have led to this worldwide boom.

Precision Construction introduces Internet of things (IoT) fundamentals with a construction-industry focus, providing a vendor-neutral, acronym-free framework for understanding IoT. Illustrated through eight real-world case stories, Precision Construction describes how IoT and emerging technologies like augmented reality and robotics are improving business for contractors, rental agencies, manufacturers, and suppliers. 

Carefully leveled text engages young listeners in learning about how construction workers help their community. Age-appropriate critical thinking questions and a glossary help build nonfiction learning skills.