Ballast Q&A Flashcards
What is especially important in designing roads for drainage?
- a crown
- all roads should have a crown, or a high point, in the center to ensure positive drainage to either side
wastewater flows because of differences in elevation along what?
- inverts
- the term invert is also used to call out the bottom of drains, catch basins, and manholes
Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
a. a 1 1/2% slope is suitable for rough paving
b. landscaped areas near buildings should have at least a 2% slope away from teh structure
c. a safe sidewalk slopes no more than 2 1/2%
d. roads in northern climates can safely have up to a 12% grade
d. roads in northern climates can safely have up to a 12% grade
- most roads should be kept at a grade of less than 10%
- very short roads and parking garage ramps are exceptions
a soil investigation for a building sire reveals that the soil type os sandy clay and taht betonite is present. Which of the following foundation types would be most appropriate?
a. spread footings
b. mat foundation
c. belled piers
d. grade beam on piers
d. grade beam on piers
- grade beams on peirs are used where expansive soil such as bentonite is present
- beams transfer the building weight to the piers, which are commonly placed on bedrock
- voids unders the beams allow the soil to expand without heaving the foundation
What is the maximum slope on which it is feasible to plant grass?
25%
-slopes greater than 25% are difficult to mow and another ground cover should be used
how does a retention pond manage storm water runoff?
- by holding the excess until is can discharge at a controlled rate into the storm sewer system
- it is used to manage storm water runoff to prevent flooding and downstream erosion, and improve water quality in an adjacent river, stream, lake, or bay. It is an artificial lake with vegetation at the perimeter, and includes a permanent pool of water in its design; it is designed to hold a specific amount of water indefinitely. Usually the pond is designed to have drainage leading to another location when the water level gets above the pond capacity.
how does a detention pond manage storm water runoff?
it is a storm water management facility installed on, or adjacent to rivers, streams, lakes, or bays. It is designed to protect against flooding by storing water for a limited period of time while slowly draining the water out at a controlled rate to a downstream water body.
bioswale
-construction that is designed to allow sediment to settle while water drains into the ground
infiltration basin
-construciton designed to retain stormwater until it can seep into the ground
What is the recommended maximum slope for a paved parking area?
5%
-some sources suggest 6%
the maximum slope for an accessible portion of the parking area is
2%
-the required minimum slope for drainage is 1.5%, though 2% minimum slope is recommended
information about the elevations or contours of a building site is found in a
survey
plat
a legal descritpion of a subdivided piece of property that includes information on lots, streets, rights of way, and easements
information about the street drainage in a city would be obtained by contacting what city department?
public works department
-the public works department would be responsible for design and maintenance of a city’s road drainage , which would be part of the storm sewage system
information on the bearing capacity of soil is obtained from the
geotechnical consultant
In order to strengthen the sense of neighborhood and community, a developer constructs a public square in the middle of a housing development. The public square is an example of…
…a node
- a node is a center of interest that people can enter, such as a plaza, a public square, or the intersection of paths
- a node is smaller than a district and may be the center of a district
Which of the following land use types is compatible with residential uses and pedestriant transportation?
a. local
b. district
c. regional
a. local
- regionally based projects require public or vehicular transportation
Which of the following design features would have the most detrimental effect on the environment of the surrounding neighborhood in an urban setting?
a. square building shape
b. dark surfaces
c. extensive exterior paving
d. reflective glass
What is the minimum outside radius for an automobile cul-de-sac with no parking?
40 ft
which type of road needs the widest right-of-way?
a. street
b. main street
c. avenue
d. boulevard
d. boulevard
- boulevards have right-of-ways of 100 ft to 130 ft
- a street is a small scale, low-speed local connector road with a right-of-way about 80 ft
- and avenue is a short distance, medium speed road with a right of way about the same as a street
- main street is generally not used to classify roadways
Where are utilities commonly located?
- anywhere in the right-of-way
- utilities are most commonly located anywhere in the right-of-way, away from buildable properties
- in most cases, they are under the street portion of the right of way
- when they must cross private property, they are usually located in utility easements, which are not buildable
What area per car should be used to estimate the required size of a parking lot and related drives?
300 SF
The recommedned minimum width for a sidealk is …
….5 ft
-A 5 ft. width allows two wheelchairs to pass traveling in opposite directions, provides for minimum 5 ft turning diamter for wheelchairs, and generally allows other common types of use
TO determine the minimum parking requirements for site develpoment, the architect should first consult….
..zoning regulations
-Zoning regulations typically govern the minimum number of parking and loading spaces required on a site
The fraction of radiatn energy reflected from a surface relative to the total radiant energy received by the surface is called..
…albedo
-Albedo ranges from 0 to 1.
0 = matte black
1 = mirror
the best orientation of solar panels, either for heating ot photovoltaics, is approximately equal to…
…the latitdue of the building locations or slightly greater
for a row of trees of moderate density, wind speed ir reduced about 30%-40% on the leeward side up to a distance of….
…about five times the tree height
What term describes a land measure that is 6 mi on a side?
township
According to the ADA, what is the maximum allowable vertical change of level on an accessible route using a ramp or bevel?
1/4 inch
Zoning regulations limit total building area based on
FAR and setbacks
building codes limit building area based on
construction type and occupancy group
the basic allowable gloot area nd height of a building are determined by
construction type and occupancy group
in regard to blast security, the space between a building and the outermost secured perimeter is called the
standoff distance
-the standoff distance is the space between a building and the potential location of a blast threat
Which of the following is NOT a method of estimating the volume of cut and fill?
a. contour area method
b. end area method
c. elevation estimation
d. calculation by grid
c. elevation estimation
The international plumbing code requires a minimum slope of ____ in/ft for pipes with a diameter of 2 1/2 in or less
1/4 in/ft
The international plumbing code requires a minimum slope of ____ in/ft for pipes with a diameter of 3 in to 6 in.
1/8 in/ft
The international plumbing code requires a minimum slope of ____ in/ft for pipes with a diameter of 8 in or larger
1/16 in/ft
The regulations for wetlands are established at what level?
the federal level
- these regulations can be set by local and state goverment
- at the federal level the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers asminsters provisions of the Clean Water
The slope of a masonry or stone retaining wall is called the
batter
According to the ADA, what is the maximum permitted slope for accessible parking areas?
2%
View plane restrictions are typically goverened by
local ordinances
