A master grouter passes his torch. This very readable, often entertaining and always useful book is the retirement project of Clive Houlsby, formerly of the Water Resources Commission of New South Wales, Australia. Mr. Houlsby enjoys a substantial reputation as an expert and superb practical grouter. In North America he is well known through his participation in an annual short course on grouting, sponsored by the University of Missouri-Rolla.
The book draws on the author's "32 years of experience in every aspect of this sort of grouting (and other sorts too)", and is obviously intended to compile and pass on the accumulated experience to others, so that they may better develop their skills and the trade in general. The text is generally based on the author's original Grouting Manual, which was produced for the Commission, and is apparently now circulating in three languages. In addition to all of the Grouting Manual information, the book contains new material never before in print and even contains material not presented at the short course. The result is a good practical handbook that fully covers the subject of Construction and Design of Cement Grouting in rock foundations and is truly the "fullest treatment yet compiled by anyone".
The guide is replete with good and simple sketches, drawings, tables and photographs that fully illustrate the concepts referred to in the text. The information is presented in an objective manner with no particular axe to grind except perhaps with those who think grouting can be done by rote, or by those who attempt to convince us that good grouting is "black magic" and that nobody does voodoo like they do voodoo. Splendid reference is made to case histories, both good and bad, complete with reference to grout takes and comments on long term durability, which are all to rare in literature. Another unusual feature is the wealth of mix conversion charts contained in the appendices, which will be of great help for field work and in translating other works on grouting into units that the reader may be more comfortable with.
The format of the book is direct and to the point, with well titled chapters broken into numerous sections and subsections. It is very easy to pick this book up with a question in mind and track down a complete answer without having to read a diatribe on some interesting but unrelated aspect. In fact, the author himself, obviously drawing on his years of experience, raises some of the most asked, or most important questions, such as: Are valves worth the trouble? Should the line have a return? What can go wrong? Is it really necessary to bleed holes? Doesn't outing last forever? How can computers help? and, Which type of contractual working is best? When the answer to "Is testing really necessary?" contains a description of something called the gumboot test, you just know the boys in the field can live with the answer.
Each chapter closes with a well selected set of references and further reading, to help those who need specific detailed information on related topics. The book itself closes with a very interesting ten pages on the history of grouting that drives home just how much the science has evolved in recent years, and addresses the adage that "those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it." Also, in this age of low-technology in the third world, there are probably some good ideas for those applications. Besides, where else could you find out that a guy named Mary grouted a lock on the canal of Saint Quentin in 1820 using hydraulic mortar grout.
In closing, this book is highly recommended for anyone involved in grouting: designers, contractors, inspectors, geologists, academics, and students. It provides a complete, simple, easy to follow presentation on the art of grouting that will be a valued reference for years to come.