construction

Question 1

How thick is a solid brick wall?

Answer 1

• solid 9 inches wide
• Cavity 11 inches wide

Question 2

How can you tell if there is a solid brick wall- or cavity wall?

Answer 2

By the brickwork. Cavity wall will have no headers. Just stretchers.

A solid brick wall can be seen by the brickwork pattern

Question 3

What is a hidden valley gutter? What problems can arise from these?

Answer 3

where two main roofs meet or where there is a change in roof direction

generally considered to be a problem area, especially with trees where gutters get blocked

Question 4

What are the main forms of building construction for an office block?

Answer 4

Steel or concrete framed

Steel frames have fewer columns and greater ceiling to floor height.

Question 5

What is the normal form of building construction for an industrial unit?

Answer 5

Steel portal frame with metal, brick or blockwork cladding

Question 6

What are the usual sizes of the ceiling and floor void in a new office building?

Answer 6

2.7m

Question 7

What is the optimum depth of an office building to allow for adequate natural light?

Answer 7

12m - 15m

Question 8

What is the normal floor loading for an office building? How does this compare to the floor loading for a warehouse or industrial unit?

Answer 8

• Offices 4-5 KN per sq m + 1KN per sq m for partitioning
• Industrial Min 30 KN/sq m floor loading

Question 9

What is the normal institutional specification of a new industrial unit?

Answer 9

• Minimum 6m clear eaves height
• Full height loading doors
• sufficient yard depth (40% building, 60% yard)
• min 30 KN/sq m floor loading.

Question 10

What is an easement? How would you find out about the existence of one?

Answer 10

A benefit that one land owner has over someone else’s land e.g. a Right of Way.

Look up on Land Registry.

Question 11

Tell me about the different forms of air conditioning which can be provided in a modern office building.

Answer 11

• VAV – variable air volume (highest capital cost but most flexible)
• FCU - Fan coil – 4 pipe (lower capital cost – good flex, but high operating and maintenance costs)
• VRV – Variable refrigerant volume (lower capital cost but higher running and maintenance costs)

Question 12

what are the 4 types of foundation

Answer 12

• trench
• raft
• pile
• pad

Question 13

What is heave

Answer 13

the upwards movement of the ground