BUILDING CONSTRUCTION

Question 1

What are the 3 loads imposed on a structure

Answer 1

• dead load (weight off building itself)
• imposes load (extra weight, people , equip etc)
• wind load (weight of load at top of structure)

Question 2

What are the signs of collapse for walls

Answer 2

• collapse of arches/lintels @ base of wall
• collapse of floors and cross walls leaving highs walls unsupported
• leavening action of collapsing floor joists built into wall
• heat expansion of hot inner face of wall=bow outwards

Question 3

What are the normal signs of collapse

Answer 3

• cracker/dropping arches above windows, doors etc
• spalling of stone or brick
• sagging floors/beams
• displacement of steel/cast iron pillars supporting joists
• walls bowing out of vertical

Question 4

What is spalling

Answer 4

Decomposition due to water and or heat of stone or brick

Question 5

What are the hazards associated with fires involving sandwich panels

Answer 5

• hides fire spread within panels
• production of large quantititirs of black toxic smoke
• rapid fire spread within structure
• delamination of steel facing (planning)
• collapse of system
• black run off substance (tar like)
• tali’s temp increase (flashover)