ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS

E-Book: Solutions to Cracking in Houses & Other Small Buildings

In 2012 we launched our first commercial publication: "Solutions to Cracking in Houses & Other Small Buildings". This is a practical book aimed at assisting forensic structural investigation aimed primarily at the lay reader. It may be of practical assistance or for use as a training manual.

A free download of selections and more information is available at the Solutions to Cracking in Houses & Other Small Buildings e-book website.

Articles by Patrick Irwin

• Key Steps in Building Movement Investigation—This articles steps the reader through the usual steps that are requires to properly assess foundation building movement issues that are, alas, not always followed. Originally published in the BDPS News in June 2018. read article (pdf) >
• Staying out of trouble - tips to avoid litigation—Primarily aimed at engineers, this articles describes areas in which generally minor revisions to practice can avoid expensive litigation. Originally published in ACSEV News December, 2019, peer reviewed by John McFarlane. read article (pdf) >
• Floor Stiffness - How much bounce is too much?—A bouncy floor isn’t necessarily a building defect. This article explores the difficulties of confirming compliance, common problems and solutions. Originally published in BDPS News, January 2015. read article (pdf) >
• Ghosts of Bridges Past—Originally published in Engineering Heritage News, July, 2017 this article explores the author’s and research colleague, Andrew Boak’s, exploration of historic bridges in their compilation of the book Apart from the Roads and the Aqueducts. read article (pdf) >
• Avoiding and Resolving Building Disputes - What can be done with AS 2870?—Originally published in ACSEV News following a presentation in July 2018, this articles explores common problems with foundation building movement and suggests reform to standards. read article (pdf) >
• Problems with Swimming Pools—Originally published in the BDPS News, August, 2016, this articles explores common problems with in ground reinforced concrete swimming pools. read article (pdf) >
• Industrial Pavement Disputes - Green Fields and Grey Areas—This article may be of interest to those involved in disputes relating to the performance and use of industrial pavements, both within buildings and externally. It may also be relevant for those involved in commercial property leasing. read article (pdf) >
• Finding the Right Expert—In building investigation matters and particularly in litigation, it is most important to have the right expert for your investigation. This article gives a brief summary of common areas of expertise and how they can assist. read article >
• Controlling the Cost of Your Experts—If you require forensic or expert services, typically your experts fees costs should be small in relation to the potential cost of the problem and provide value for money. This article gives some suggestions to help ensure this. read article >
• Reactive Foundation Movement: Causes & Responsibilities—Foundation movement is a common cause of building distress and disputation. Sometimes it is not clear what the causes are or who is responsible. This article attempts to set out common practice in design and construction with a view to party responsibility. read article >
• Protection Works—Problems and conflicts involving protection works (works required to protect one property from construction activity on an adjoining property) can be avoided if appropriate procedures are followed, works carried out and suitably confirmed. read article >
• Remedial Foundation Works: Solutions to Reactive Building Movement—Common remedial solutions to reactive building movement such as site work, building repair, foundation re-hydration, improving building articulation, grout injection, underpinning, structural ties and masonry reinforcing. read article >

Publications by Patrick Irwin

• Article, BDPS News, January, 2020. Industrial Pavement Disputes - Green Fields & Grey Areas
• Article, ACSEV News December, 2019 Staying out of Trouble - Tips to avoid litigation (peer reviewed by John McFarlane).
• Article, ACSEV News March, 2019 Obituary: Professor Emeritus Leonard (Len) Kelman Stevens AM (collaboration with Russell Brown)
• Article, ACSEV News November, 2018 Avoiding & Resolving Building Disputes, What can be done with AS 2870 & associated references?
• Article, BDPS News, June, 2018. Key Steps in Building Movement Investigation
• Book, Apart from the Roads & the Aqueducts, May 2017 (150 pages) (collaboration with Andrew Boak)
• Article, Engineers Australia Heritage News, July 2017. Ghosts of Bridges Past. The civil works of HB Irwin (researched with Andrew Boak)
• Article, BDPS News, August, 2016. Problems with Swimming Pools
• Paper published by the Australian Government Senate inquiry into the Nanny State Principles and practices, an engineering perspective.
• Article, BDPS News, January, 2015. Floor Stiffness, How Much Bounce is too Much?
• E-book, commercial publication, 2012. Solutions to Cracking in Houses & Other Small Buildings
• Article, BDPS News, October, 2011. Electronic Document Exchange (with John Browning), -2-
• Article, BDPS News, July, 2010. Remedial Solutions to Reactive Building Movement
• Foundations & Footings Society & Swinburn University), 2009 Building movement research project (contributor)
• Article, BDPS News, June, 2010 Expert’s Corner, Protection Works
• Article, BDPS News, June, 2009. 2010 BDPS Essay Prize winner. Reactive Foundation Movement, Causes & Responsibilities, article
• Article: Architecture Victoria, Nov, 2008 & BDPS News, April, 2009 Sustainability
• Monthly article series, ACSEV News 2002 & 2003 The Business of Practice