1. Soils & Geology
2. Excavation
3. Utilities and Underground Piping
4. Retaining Walls, Pilings and Caissons
5. Curbs and Paving
6. Landscaping
When I was in engineering school, I had a Frenchman teaching our Soil
Mechanics class. I could barely understand him, but I think he spent
most of the class teaching us about how LaPlace Transformations affect
foundation design. Since I never understood LaPlace Transformations in
math class, I didn't get any more insight in Soil Mechanics. Whenever
anyone asked any kind of practical question, he'd say (at least I think
this is what he was saying), "Zat is chust nuts and bolts. If you want
zat simple design information, just go to the Navy Design Handbook
Number 7." So for your reading pleasure, here is the 394 page
US Navy, Soil Mechanics Design Manual Number 7. It's way too
complicated in most areas (so much for the "simple nuts and bolts"), but
does have lots of good information as well.
Another engineering type resource is the Soils and Geology Procedures for Foundation Design of Buildings, produced by the US Military as UFC 3-220-03FA 16 January 2004. It also tends to be rather complicated, but has a few areas that may be helpful in understanding wall design.
Check the internet for geological resources available in your
area. You may be surprised how much free and useful information
abides just a few clicks away.
The US Army Field Manual for Earthmoving Operations is an excellent introduction to sitework equipment and processes. This 202 page handbook is officially called FM 5-434.
Another resource, more useful in the site design area than in construction, but that may be helpful, is the US Dept of Defense Area Planning, Site Planning and Design Manual. It has 79 pages of information that helps one think about how to locate and layout buildings on a site. The official name of this document is UFC 3-210-01A 16 January 2004.
The
Dewatering and Groundwater Control Manual produced by the US
Dept of Defense provides many details describing water and sitework.
The name of this document is UFC 3-220-05 16 January 2004.
The Wastewater Collection Manual provides some practical design information and details. Produced by the US Dept of Defense, the official name is UFC 3-240-04A 16 January 2004.
The Wastewater Treatment Manual some good details for understanding how on-lot septic systems operate. Produced by the US Dept of Defense, the official name is UFC 3-240-03N 16 January 2004.
The Water Supply Manual provides details about supplying water in various scenarios. Produced by the US Dept of Defense, the official name is UFC 3 230-03A 16 January 2004.
The
Water Treatment Manual provides details about treating water for
domestic use. Produced by the US Dept of Defense, the official name
is UFC 3-230-08A 16 January 2004.
The US Dept of Defense Deep Foundations Manual provides excellent detail for design and installation of many kinds of deep foundations. This 195 page handbook is officially called UFC 3-220-01A 16 January 2004.
The US Dept
of Defense
Pile Driving Equipment Manual
provides lots of information to understand pile driving. This 151
page handbook is officially called UFC 3-220-02 16 January 2004.
The US Army Field Manual for Paving and Surfacing Operations is an detailed introduction to paving equipment and processes. This 217 page handbook is officially called FM 5-436.
Another resource, more useful in the paving design than in construction, but that may be helpful, is the US Dept of Defense Pavement Design for Roads, Streets, Walks, and Open Storage Areas. It has 121 pages of information and some excellent nomographs for determining paving thickness. The official name of this document is UFC 3-250-01FA 16 January 2004.
Another resource is the US Dept of Defense
Standard Practice for Concrete Pavements. It has 58 pages
of information and the official name of this document is UFC
3-250-04FA 16 January 2004.
An excellent resource for learning the basics of landscape
design, planting and turf grass is from the US Dept of Defense and
titled
Landscape Design and Planting Criteria. It has
63 pages
of information and the official name of this document is UFC
3-210-05FA 16 January 2004.