ARE Exam Prep Flashcards
What is ILLUMINANCE?
The illuminance or light level is the amount of light energy reaching a given point on a defined surface area, namely the luminous flux (i.e. lumens) per square meter.
Illuminance is invisible! It is light passing through space and not seen unless you look at the source (e.g. a light bulb) or a surface it reflects off.
Measure of light intensity striking a surface. Measured in FOOT-CANDLES or LUX.
What is a DAYLIGHT FACTOR?
A numerical ratio used to describe the relationship between indoor and outdoor daylight luminance (typical under overcast conditions). It is specific to a point inside the building.
What do Candelas measure?
The luminous intensity of a light source or surface. This includes factors of reflection, transmission and emissions. Units are CANDELAS per sq ft.
What are LUMENS?
The lumen (symbol: lm) is the SI derived unit of luminous flux, a measure of the total "amount" of visible light emitted by a source. Unit measuring the rate of light flow (luminous flux). One lumen produces one FOOT-CANDLE luminance.
Footcandles are the imperial version of what?
Lux
What is a MAT SLAB
A concrete slab with reinforcement to resist the uplift forces of hydrostatic pressure.
What is a CAISSON?
A pile foundation that extends to bedrock or uses friction of soil to bear the buildings weight.
Ada max gradient at a walk? Cross gradient ?
1: 20/5%
1: 40/2%
What is a NON-CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT?
Grants you the ability to use a building for your proposed use, even though the zoning code normally would not allow it.
What is an Exit Access?
Distance a building occupant would need to travel to reach an exit.
What is a PROCTOR TEST?
A laboratory test to determine optimal moisture content at which point given soil type will become most dense and achieve its maximum dry density. This test is often used with compacted fill.
What is an ARTERIAL street?
Also known as highways, they are continuous channels that connect with freeways (at the exits).
In most modern cities, arterial streets are the main boulevards running through the city.
What is a VARIANCE?
A variance is a request to deviate from some of the requirements of zoning (maximum height, minimum setbacks, etc.), because complying with these requirements would create financial hardship or practical construction challenges.
Define meridians.
Longitudinal lines running North – South.
Define ordinance.
A municipal law in addition to a standard building code. Cities can adopt ordinances so long as they do not violate current building codes.
Define Albedo.
Albedo is a measure of the reflectivity of a material. Snow has a high albedo (blinding light) while grass has a low albedo.
What is the ENTITLEMENT PHASE
Obtaining permission/approval for a project prior to pro ducting construction documents. Usually during Design Development.
What is the difference between Net Density and Gross Density?
Net Density does not include streets while Gross Density includes everything such as streets, open spaces, and parks.
Which slope is considered moderate and suited for some uses, but not all?
4% - 10% is moderate and requires some effort to climb or descend.
Which typical density is common for a European town?
Typical European town: 30 people per acre
SWALES are created in contour lines when they point _______
up towards a higher level.
CROWNS are created when contour lines point ______
Down the slope.
To determine the minims spacing between contours use this formula
W = I / S
Width=Interval/Slope
If your site shows a contour interval of 1’ with a max slope of 10%, the minimum opacity between contour lines would be 1’/.10=10’
What are four standardized national codes used to create the building code adopted by municipalities?
- Uniform Building Code (UBC)
- Building Officials Code Administrators (BOCA)
- International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO)
- Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI)
The international Building Code (IBC) is new and first produced in 2000. It combines BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI.
Describe the NEIGHBORHOOD CONCEPT.
The largest use of land is for residential needs.
Designing a well balanced and useful neighborhood benefits the community as a whole.
Live, work, education and recreation should all be located within a close proximity to one another.
Describe the ANGLE OF REPOSE.
How soils form mounds wen loose.
Sand and gravel are stiff soils and will have steeper angles f repose as compared to soft silts and clays.
What percentage of construction costs are usually dedicated to the foundations system?
5% for a normal site
Name two methods to incorporate passive cooling into a building.
Arrange windows to encourage wind flow and allow ample ventilation.
Use a “thermal chimney,” a tall vented space that directs rising heat up and out of a space and allows cool air to enter below (stack effect).
What is a test boring?
A test boring will determine the types of soils on a site as well as its relative bearing capacity.
What is a CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT?
If you wish to build or use a building for a purpose not granted in the zoning code, you can apply for a “conditional use” permit. This grants you the ability to use the building for your proposed use, even though the zoning code normally would not allow it.
Which department would generally perform plan check first in the building permit approval process?
Planning Department.
What does an R-Value measure?
insulation performance
Define Conductivity
A measure of the ability of a material to absorb light.
What density if required in order to support a public transit system?
Collective transit need at least a population density of 30 persons per acre.
How long for a Design Development phase of a straightforward project of moderate scope?
Usually 2-6 months.
What is the decibel level for a typical office conversation
70dB… 1dB is the bottom threshold of hearing. 140dB is the threshold of pain. 1 dB is the smaller difference that a human ear can detect.
Which sold type tends to swell when frozen?
Silt tends to swell when frozen ue to its ability to hold a high water content.
Define safe bearing capacity
The Safe Bearing Capacity is the ultimate bearing capacity of the soil divided by a safety factor of 2 to 4 times.
Describe a building exit as defined by the building code
A door that directly leads to a stair or outdoor area.
What is the best way to reduce a building’s carbon footprint?
Studies have shown that reusing a building material can cut carbon dioxide emissions (its’ carbon footprint) by more than half when compared to creating a new version of the material. Reusing materials is one of the best and most cost-effective ways to cut the carbon footprint of your buildings.
Describe liquefaction.
Soils have come loose and act in a liquid state. Earthquakes are often triggers of liquefaction and can result in landslides and serious damage.
Condemnation Easement
Is an easement for public good. As in the case where required for a street, highway, railroad right of way or for a telephone or electric power line.
How much area per car should you allocate when designing a parking lot?
400 square feet/car
Which of the following describes a Township?
Is 6 miles square and numbered and designated as North or South of the base line and east or west of principal meridian. Each check is divided into four by four squares, creating 16 townships per check. Each township is 6 miles square and numbered and designated as North or South of the base line and east or west of principal meridian.
Which of the following is an ownership where one party sells to another and then rents the property from the buyer?
Sale-and-leaseback. Sale-and-leaseback: an arrangement in which one party sells a property to a buyer and the buyer immediately leases the property back to the seller.
Residual Method
A land valuation methods estimates potential income from site improvements? Residual method or income approach method: value can be determined by estimating the potential income from site improvements.
How much clear aisle for an accessible space? How bout for a van?
9’x18’ with 5’ clear aisle for a standard stall and a 9’ clear aisle for van accessible parking.
What is RISK MANAGEMENT?
Risk management is the identification, assessment, and prioritization of risks followed by coordinated and economical application of resources to minimize, monitor, and control the probability and/or impact of unfortunate events or to maximize the realization of opportunities. The strategies to manage risk typically include transferring the risk to another party, avoiding the risk, reducing the negative effect or probability of the risk, or even accepting some or all of the potential or actual consequences
What typical building appliance consumes the largest quantity of energy?
Water heater
Macroclimate.
Refers to the general climate of the overall region
Slope equation. Percent and ratio
Rise over run?
45° is 100%
1 divided by run.
Who is L’Enfant?
L’Enfant (from Paris) 1791. The final plan was a composition of civic art with a working grid connected through a series of axes, vistas and diagonal boulevards. This created a geometry in which to locate important civic monuments and key buildings.
Retention Basin
- used to manage stormwater runoff to prevent flooding and erosion. Always contains water with surrounding landscaping.
Describe a Prescriptive Code.
A code that specifies specific techniques, materials, and methods allowed for use. Simple to administer, but the specific code allows for no innovation.
Which term describes the effect the weight of water has when forced against an object by gravity?
Hydrostatic pressure is caused when the weight of water is forced against an object by gravity. Since water is very heavy, the more water that presses against a foundation, the greater the pressure due to gravity. This can cause weaknesses in the foundation and will require additional strength and reinforcement in order to avoid potential problems.
What type of foundation would be best suited for a site with clays and silts found in the soil?
Mat slab or caisson
What is a Life Cycle Analysis
Life cycle assessment (LCA) is an analysis of the entire environmental impact of a material or product throughout its’ entire life.
CPM (Critical Path Method) -
The path with the longest required time is the Critical Path and the activities on that path are called Critical Activities. Reducing the critical path reduces the whole schedule and increases job costs but decreases overhead costs.
What does a spread footing do?
A Spread Footing distributes the weight of the building directly to the soil.
Which survey is used most often in site planning?
Plane Survey: this survey presents the site as a flat plane. Although technically distorted, this is the one used most often.
How much area is required in order for a person to easily move around the site?
In order to stand comfortably and move about easily a total of 13 square feet per person is required.
What is DAMPPROOFING?
Control of moisture that is NOT under hydrostatic pressure.
Which foundation would likely be the most expensive? Mat or caisson?
Mat foundations are used when the underlying strata is weak. It acts as one continuous foundation and is very costly due to the amount of material used.
what is loam
a fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus.
