Building Systems, Materials, & Assemblies

Question 1

What is autoclaved aerated concrete, or AAC?

Answer 1

This is a lightweight precast building material made by adding aluminum powder to concrete, placing the mixture in molds, and curing it in a pressurized steam chamber.

Question 2

What are two used for type III cement in ready mix applications?

Answer 2

This kind of cement is used for
• projects requiring high early strength
• cold weather curing

Question 3

For what type of building is lift slab construction used?

Answer 3

This kind of construction is used in multistory buildings with entire floor sections cast on the ground.

Question 4

Slip forming is commonly used in the construction of two kinds of structures. What two?

Answer 4

This type of concrete forming is commonly used in the construction of tunnels and the cores of high-rise buildings.

Question 5

What are the two primary considerations when selecting allowable wood stresses?

Answer 5

When selecting these, the two primary considerations are size categories and wood species.

Question 6

What two characteristics of steel are increased by cold rolling?

Answer 6

This process increases steels strength and elastic limit.

Question 7

Under what circumstance should a holeless hydraulic elevator be used?

Answer 7

This kind of elevator should be used in situations where drilling is not feasible or would be prohibitively expensive.

Question 8

How is an open web steel joist built?

Answer 8

This kind of member is built in the shop by welding together a continuous steel rod or steel angles, forming the web and steel angles, and forming the chord.

Question 9

In the steel designation W18 x 36, what does the 18 represent?

Answer 9

In the steel designation W18 x 36, this number is the nominal depth of the steel beam in inches.

Question 10

What two methods of tensioning are used for prestressed concrete?

Answer 10

Pretensioning and post-tensioning are two methods used to construct this type of concrete.

Question 11

Name two properties of steel that are affected negatively if too much carbon is added.

Answer 11

If too much of this element is added to steel, the steel’s strength and ductility are decreased.

Question 12

What is a passive solar energy system?

Answer 12

This is a system that collects, stores, and distributes energy without the use of mechanical equipment.

Question 13

What size increments are standard for reinforcing bars?

Answer 13

This construction material is available in size increments of 1/8 in in diameter.

Question 14

What type of pressure is a structure subjected to if it is below the water table?

Answer 14

A structure under those circumstances is subject to hydrostatic pressure.

Question 15

Which material has a greater construction tolerance, a steel beam or a concrete footing?

Answer 15

This level of variance is greater in a concrete footing than it is in a steel beam.

Question 16

What range of pressure is used in municipal water systems?

Answer 16

In municipal systems, this varies from 40 psi to 80 psi.

Question 17

What type of elevator is commonly used in a high rise building?

Answer 17

A gearless traction elevator is commonly used in this type of building.

Question 18

How is brick veneer supported in a multistory building?

Answer 18

To support this, a steel shelf angle is anchored to the structure at every story.

Question 19

In architectural wood paneling, what is bookmatching?

Answer 19

This is the placing of wood panels so that the adjacent leaves form a symmetrical grain pattern.

Question 20

What is the nominal diameter of no. 5 rebar?

Answer 20

The nominal diameter of this rebar is 5/8 in.

Question 21

Name four structural systems that would minimize floor thickness to reduce total building height or to reduce floor spandrel depth on the building facade.

Answer 21

The thinnest floor systems are slab systems without ribs, such as:
• cross laminated timber
• post-tensioned one way solid slab
• sitecast concrete two-way plate plate
or flat slab (esp. when post tensioned)
• precast prestressed hollow-core or
solid slab

Question 22

List three criteria to minimum site disturbance during construction.

Answer 22

Criteria to minimize site disturbance during construction would be:
• column and beam systems supported on point footings, thereby minimizing excavation.
• long span systems that minimize bearing elements.
• systems that rely on a high degree of off-site prefabrication to minimize construction activities on-site.

Question 23

Unintended pathways of sound that penetrate through construction are called what?

Answer 23

Flanking