Civil Engineering Association

The foundation of a structure, such as a builing, plays a decisive role in contributing to its stability durability over its lifetime. The foundation constitutes the interface between the superstructure and the soil, thus forming a vital link which sustains the structure. The author has spent a lifetime of work on the bject of foundations. In two major works: Modern Foundations - Introducrion to Advanced Techniques and Design of Foundation Systems - Priciples and Practices he has presented the results of his extensive research and practical experience in this field. The author's special attention, from the beginning, was focused on the ore recent and lesser known technique of deploying shells in foundations. Shell forms generally allow the of only minimal materials for maximum functionality and this holds true for foundations of structures as well. They are therefore particularly important in regions where economical requirements, such as increased expenditure on human labour in relation ·to reduced expenditure on materials, play a major role. I had the pleasant opportunity of working in the field of shell foundations together with the author at the Tecnical University of Berlin, and during this time I was convinced of the capabilities and efficiency of foundations of this type. I am extremely pleased to find that Prof. Nainan P. Kurian, in this book, has dealt with the ubject in a detailed, systematic and in-depth manner, and, as such, I have no doubt that it will attract the wide readership it richly deserves.