Case Study Flashcards
What were the Construction Methods of the Building in your case study?
Piled foundations with supporting ground floor RC slab
Basement below – RC concrete slab (75mm cover)
Post tension slab above 3rd Floor
RC Columns supporting floors
Exterior brickwork walls with steel curtain walling infill
What is your understanding of piled foundations?
Piled foundations are typically reinforced concrete elements, that are typically used to transfer through low bearing capacity soils to more suited strata at depth. Used for larger buildings)
These can either be driven (pre-formed, displacement) or bored (poured in situ, replacement)
Can either be end bearing or friction
What is a post-tension slab? How is this different to a pre-tension slab?
Pre-Tension - RC Strands are under pressure before placement in the slab.
Post-Tension - Tension is applied to RC elements once concrete has reached its strength
Post-tension is typically used for larger building elements.
Can you describe the curtain wall system? What other types of curtain walling are you aware of?
Stick Facade - erected on site, faster on site assembly
Unitised - Large, pre-assembled units, more economical in a larger scale
Power coated aluminium frame, toughened glass, Argon cavity, safety glass Brick Cavity Duoslab insulation EPDM Cement Board Insulated SFS Cavity, rockwool insulation VCL 2 layers of plasterboard
What are the other RIBA Stages of Work?
Stage 0 - Strategy Definition Stage 1 - Preperation and Briefing Stage 2 - Concept Design Stage 3 - Developed Design Stage 4 - Technical Design Stage 5 - Construction Stage 6 - Handover Stage 7 - In Use
What was included within your Stage 2 Summary / Feasibility Report?
Introduction Existing Land & Building Use Client Brief Proposed Scope of Works Proposed Budget Proposed Programme Procurement Strategy Project Constraints / Risks Proposed Project Team / Further Appointments Required
What is an Agreement for Lease, and what would you expect to be contained within?
A contractual agreement between parties to enter into a lease, subject to satisfaction of defined conditions prior to lease completion.
If lease is to be entered to at a later date, give comfort to each party. (For example, can condition landlord works)
Head of Terms – sets out main terms of commercial agreement
What are some typical terms you would expect to encounter when reviewing an Agreement for Lease?
Details of the parties
Details of the premises
Define the agreement
Details of conditions to be satisfied
What tender processes did you use? Were there any other options available? Did you consider these? Why / Why Not?
Issue of Form of Tender based on rates for OH&P, management costs and labour costs
Issue with design information, and estimate values
Tender returns based on value
These were based on schedule of rates.
How did you carry out the pre-construction assessment? What were your findings?
Reviewed Base Build information provided by Client to familiarise
Attended site, review locations of incoming services against base build design
Assessed any defects to curtain wall, fire stopping, screeding etc.
How does a Prime Cost differ from other JCT Forms you have have used? Minor works, intermediate, D&B etc
Prime Cost vs Fixed Sum - Prime cost was based on QS’s latest cost planning
Contractor Fee based on fixed schedule of rates agreed at tender stage
Information Release Schedule
How were the LADS calculated?
A genuine pre-estimate should a Contractor exceed the Contract Complete date (relevant event)
Typically defined per day or per week
Client should advise on value based on genuine estimate
Courts may not uphold if used as a penalty
What was the specification of the cooling plant? What key considerations were there?
Was specified by the MEPH as they were named in the Contract, however Operator’s team assisted in preparation.
Hygienic Requirements (due to food storage)
Required to be at 8 degree - U values considered for thermal loss
Upgrading of Insulation to Walls & Ceiling - vapour barrier on ‘warm side’ to prevent condensation
Split AC System, with external condenser - system needed to support length of run to roof.
What was the specification of the curtain walling specified
Was a stick curtain wall system, assembled on site.
A unitised system would not have been suitable for the small scale. Accelerated programme due to assembly on site.
What other duties did your Client have under CDM?
Make necessary appointments to complete design, ensure necessary, skill experience competence
Sufficient time & resource at each stage
Ensure Principal Designer & Contractor carry out duties
Ensure suitable welfare facilities are provided
Maintain & review management arrangement for project duration.
Provide Pre-Construction information to designers and Contractors
Ensure Contractor carries out CPH&S Plan
Ensure H&S File is prepared and revised as necessary. Make available once drafted.
What were your duties under CDM?
Designer – as we arranged and instructed others to produce design
Eliminate risks where possible, reduce / control where not
Risks include carrying out the works and building in use.
Ensure Client is aware of their duties
Take into account Pre-Con Info provided in design
Provide information for the Principal Designer for PCIP & H&S File
Communicate and coordinate with other designers and contractors.
What is a Collateral Warranty? What there one in place?
Forms a contractual relationship between a party to the Contract and a third party.
JCT offer Standard Forms for Funders, Tenant’s or Purchasers
Warranty from Management Contractor, Works Contractor, Sub-Contractor, Construction Manager
How did you calculate the thermal performance of the facade system?
I was not acting as a designer so this wasn’t under my remit.
This duty was with the Client, who would have calculated the the thermal loss (U-Value) to ensure the temperature could be maintained.
What was the build up of the acoustic ceiling?
2 x 15mm Soundbloc 50mm Mineral Wool in Ceiling Void 200mm (minimum) void Edges sealed to walls with mastic Minimalize Penetrations On Acoustic resilient hangers
What is a mass barrier ceiling?
Ceiling formed of layers of acoustically rated plasterboard, insulation and a void.
On metal framed system on anti-vibration hangers.
Blocks or absorbs the sound and vibrations. Prevents these being passed into the space above.