Hot summer reads from ICE Publishing

Asking our editors to choose their favourite books is like asking them to choose their favourite child, but they delivered, just for you.

Summer is a fantastic time to catch up on reading! The warmer weather allows us to read outside (when it isn’t raining, that is) and even from a social distance, many of us can lounge on lawn chairs or bring a book to the beach. Some of you will have time off work, and reading can be a great way to keep up with new developments in your field. If you’re a practitioner, reading about your field can help make your job easier. What’s more, reading a book in your field counts towards your ICE CPD record.  
 
The following 20 books are our editors’ picks for insightful, relevant and popular reads from ICE Publishing. Happy reading – pack your beach umbrella!
 
For the history lovers:
Fancy learning some engineering history as you sip your beachside cocktail or lounge by the BBQ? The Consulting Engineers is a beautiful full-colour volume which tells the true story of the UK’s consulting engineers from the 18^th century until the present day. The authors have also written two historical companion books, The Civil Engineers and The Contractors. All three are perfect for your coffee table, and you can get the full set at a discount.  
 
As timber structures age, increased work is being done to repair them. Repair of Historic Timber Structures is a thorough guide to the process including both practical instructions and beautiful photographs of historic timber structures across the UK.
 
A seaside read:
Ever walked along the coast and wondered about how the walls were built? Design of Vertical Gravity Sea and Quay Walls is a clear and concise guide, useful for anyone involved with marine engineering. Think of it as your one-stop source for all steps of designing and assessing sea and quay wall structures.   
 
For the train-spotters:
Bridges are a perennial favourite topic among civil engineers. If your work intersects with bridges and railways, you’ll enjoy and learn from this illustrated book’s emphasis on managing and updating railway bridges, which sometimes date back to the 19^th century. Railway Bridge Maintenance is the update of a beloved book from 1972! Remember to wear a mask if you’re on a train now though.
 
Post exercise reading:
In the wake of lockdown, cycling has become more popular, and now the UK is making plans to boost it more. Designing for Cycle Traffic will help you learn how to design for increased cycle traffic flow and take a leadership role in this important form of infrastructure.
 
Walking has been a popular way of getting around during the COVID-19 pandemic. Have you wondered on your daily walk how it could be made better? Modelling Pedestrian Movement includes the latest research and demonstrates how to model it when designing various types of infrastructure.
 
For the home improvers:
Thinking about a wine cellar or a games room in the basement? Why not take it further... Written by an engineer and an urban planner, Underground Spaces Unveiled is an award-winning guide to designing the cities of the future. Learn how to develop urban underground spaces sustainably.
 
It’s not just homes and gardens that need improving. As older buildings are increasingly refurbished to become more energy efficient, Refurbishment Projects: guide to health and safety management for refurbishment will help you get these jobs done well. Learn how to plan and analyse safety risks to make old buildings new again.
 
Lastly, here are 12 books for those of you that never stop working:

1. Mentoring for Civil Engineers: Are you mentoring a trainee? This book is your essential guide to helping a fellow engineer learn the ropes of civil engineering and prepare for professional qualification.
2. BIM in Principle and in Practice: BIM is an important tool in civil engineers’ toolbox. This bestselling guide is  now in its third edition! It tells you how to use BIM in clear and simple language, answering frequently asked questions along the way.
3. Asset Management: All engineering projects need financial assets to go from concept to execution. This updated volume provides a comprehensive view of asset management which will help all engineering sectors reduce costs and increase value.
4. Programme Management in Construction: If you manage construction projects, this book will help you with best practices for project, design and construction management. It’s full of examples and offers valuable content on leadership skills that’s not always found in engineering books.
5. Temporary Works: This is the only book around that covers all sub-specialties of temporary works. It draws on recent UK regulations and the expertise of more than 30 different practitioners.
6. CESMM4 Revised book bundle: This bestselling bundle includes two essential books, CESMM4 Revised and CESMM4 Revised: Handbook, which can also be bought separately. Learn how to prepare a bill of quantities using the fourth edition of the Civil Engineering Standard Method of Measurement (CESMM4).
7. CDM Regulations 2015 Explained: The CDM Regulations are a popular course topic within the ICE. Take some time to read this and learn how the 2015 Regulations differ from previous versions and get straightforward answers to your questions about them. The book also includes the regulations in full.
8. Energy and Mobility in Smart Cities: This book will give you food for thought about what the cities of the future might be like and how you can work with engineers across disciplines to make them a reality. Learn about innovations in the field of smart cities and digital infrastructure from a group of experts.
9. NEC4: The Role of the Service Manager: This is the latest in our series of guides to NEC. Find out what is required from a Service Manager in an NEC4 Term Service Contract or check out the other NEC titles for a full picture of what this suite of contracts requires.
10. Environmental Geotechnics in Practice: Geotechnics is an increasingly important part of civil engineering. This book offers a solid introduction to the field. Learn about land-based waste disposal and the interaction between engineering and environment.
11. Low Carbon Concrete: Concrete is responsible for 8% of all CO2 emissions. With more people and governments recognising the importance of lowering carbon emissions, and with concrete still the most widely used building material, this book is a must read.
12. FIDIC 2017 Contracts Companion: If you’re working with FIDIC, this must have bundle gives you access to all-you-need-to-know guides on the Conditions of Contract for Construction (Red Book), Plant and Design-Build (Yellow Book), and EPC/Turnkey Projects (Silver Book), which can be purchased separately and are discounted if you buy the bundle. 

I hope this list gives you food for thought and something new to read over the summer. Enjoy the good weather and good books!