Construction Tech Flashcards

1
Q

What are the advantages of a steel frame?

A

1) Beams span over long distances
2) High strength to weight ratio
3) Recyclable
4) Quick to erect on site

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2
Q

What are the disadvantages of steel?

A

1) The price of steel can be volatile.
2) Fire protection may be required.
3) Steel frames have lesser acoustic and thermal properties than concrete frames.

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3
Q

What can affect the cost of a steel frame?

A

1) Number of connections to beams
2) Making the steel fire resistant, with intumescent or boarding it.
3) Improving the acoustic qualities

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4
Q

How can you improve the acoustic qualities of a steel frame?

A

1) Whilst it might not improve the frame itself, I am aware of being able to install acoustic suspended ceilings to increase the acoustic performance of a building.
2) Insulation in ceilings and walls.

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5
Q

What are the advantages of a concrete frame?

A

1) The price of concrete is typically more stable than steel.
2) Fire protection is inherent in the structure
3) Provides good sound and heat insulation.

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6
Q

What are the disadvantages of a concrete frame?

A

1) Takes longer to install on site than steel & timber
2) For concrete’s maximum strength, can take up to 28 days for concrete to cure.
3) Concrete does not span as well as steel.

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7
Q

On the project in Chigwell, why was a timber frame not identified as an option?

A

I did pose this question to my Client and asked if they would consider a timber frame, but this was quickly shut down. I’m not sure if the Client had issues with timber in the past, but the Client was not willing to entertain timber.

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8
Q

What are the advantages of a timber frame?

A

1) Sustainable benefits
2) Construction on-site faster than concrete.
3) Structure is relatively lightweight

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9
Q

What are the disadvantages of a timber frame?

A

1) Can be difficult to source the required sizes and quantities of timber
2) Fire protection may be required.
3) Potential for wet rot, dry rot, woodworm etc.

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10
Q

How can you improve the fire resistance of a timber frame?

A

1) Fire resistance intumescent
2) Board it with fire-resistant boads.

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11
Q

What are the differences in cost between a steel frame and concrete frame?

A

For a two storey, circa 20,000ft2 GIA, I would anticipate costs for a concrete frame to be around £200/m2 Q1 2025.

For a steel frame, I would anticipate costs to be around £270/m2 Q1 2025, although there would be additional costs for requirements to enhance the fire resistance and acoustic qualities of the steel frame.

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12
Q

What is CAT A construction?

A

A very basic form of fit-out for a commercial building, typically only including elements necessary for occupation.

It is a blank canvas for interior and office designers, the next phase is Cat B.

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13
Q

What are the main components of concrete?

A

1) Cement
2) Aggregate
3) Water

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14
Q

What is reinforced concrete?

A

Concrete with reinforcements, usually steel bars, rods or mesh.

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15
Q

What should be considered when selecting the type of structural frame?

A

1) Programme requirements
2) Fire protection
3) Acoustic and thermal properties
4) Market conditions and supply cost
5) Site logistics and general constraints

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16
Q

What is Cat B construction?

A

CAT B fit out provides a space that is ready to move into and operate.

17
Q

Can you tell me what a Principal Designer is, and where this role is defined?

A

The principle designer is a role listed under the CDM regs. The principal designer is the designer with control of the pre-construction phase.

This role is defined under the Building Regs (Building Safety Act)

18
Q

For Chigwell house, why was a masonry construction not considered in your advice?

A

Masonry construction (brick) formed the external wall. I advised on the choice of frame.

19
Q

Can you run through some characteristics that would impact the cost of Steel/concrete frames?

A

1) Whether it is made on/off site.
2) Reinforcement to concrete
3) Number of connections for steel.

20
Q

You advised that the cables could be installed high level rather than in a trench. Is this not outside your PI? Especially since it seems that way forward would never have worked.

A

I advised on the opportunities that could result in a cost saving and brought this to the attention to the design team.

I did not advise the design team to change their design, I advised them that there would be a cost saving by installing the cables at high level rather than in the trenches, it was for the design team to assess if this was feasible.

21
Q

For the trench, why did it need to be fully opened? Why were the cables not just pulled through?

A

There was asbestos in the trench that had to be removed.

This also meant that the cables were contaminated, and had to be cleaned and double bagged once removed and couldn’t be pulled through.

22
Q

On project infrastructure, how did your knowledge of construction tech help with your assessment of labour requirements for the temp flooring?

A

I was able to break down each element of construction and allocate estimated time frames for the completion of the works to calculate the total duration of install.

23
Q

What is blue plasterboard?

A

Acoustic rated plasterboard

24
Q

Can you tell me the build-up of a stud partition

A

1) Top and base plate
2) Vertical studs
3) Insulation
4) Plasterboard
5) Pattressing if FCU’s are inside

25
Q

For your Leeds OCE, why were you doing a measure rather than another method? Is that in line with what NRM 1 says?

A

I was able to use benchmarked data to make assumptions on the different elements to give my Client more accurate cost data.

26
Q

Who defines the meaning of Cat-A and B?

A

BCO - British Council for Offices

27
Q

What type of frame would you expect for a house?

28
Q

What type of frame would you expect for a warehouse?

A

Steel portal frame

29
Q

What is the difference between glu-lam and CLT?

A

The main difference is how they are oriented and used for in the building.

CLT:
- Layers are glued together at right angles to each other
- CLT is used for walls and floors

Glu-Lam
- Layers are glued together in the same direction, so timbers strength goes in one direction.
- Glu-lam used for load-bearing, such as beams, columns etc

30
Q

Can you tell me 2 key pieces of construction tech regulation, and what they outline?

A

1) Building Regulations
2) Building Safety Act 2022

31
Q

What are the Building Regs?

A

A set of approved documents detailing the requirements for a building with regards to different key elements, such as fire safety, structure, access into the building, maintenance, ventilation etc.

32
Q

What is the Building Safety Act 2022?

A

It is a law that was introduced following the Grenfell fire to improve the safety of Buildings in the UK. One key piece of the Act was the need for Two or more staircases in buildings over 7 storeys in height or over 15m.

33
Q

What buildings does the Building Safety Act 2022 apply too?

A

All buildings that are subject to Building regulations, with particular controls for high-risk residential buildings.

34
Q

Do the Building Regulations apply to all buildings?

A

No - there are some buildings not subject to Building Regulations, such as temporary buildings (site accommodation) or extensions that are less than 30m2.

35
Q

Regarding the PSUM flooring works, how were you able agreed a reduced value with the contractor when the item is provisional and note design or defined?

A

This was agreeing the final cost of the provisional sum once the scope had been defined. I liaised with other Contractors to break down the construction sequence and allocated time to each process. I held a face to face meeting to review this with the Contractor and took notes of the meeting. I agreed the costs and reiterated the discussions held in the meeting in writing.

36
Q

On Chigwell, can you explain the advice regarding steel / concrete frame and why the client opted for concrete?

A

I advised my Client on the key differences, and why concrete would be more suited to their requirements than steel.

37
Q

What other considerations did you account for when reviewing the different frame types?

A

Steel could create a better NIA due to concretes bulky structure.

I also considered the impact on foundations, as steel is lighter than concrete and could reduce volume of the concrete raft foundation. However, it would be for the design team / structural engineers to assess the impact on foundations.

38
Q

What assumptions did you make when reviewing the costs for steel vs concrete?

A

I excluded adjustments to the foundations and assumed PIR boards to achieve a 60 minute fire rating to the steel. I also assumed rates based on benchmarked data from Q1 2025.

39
Q

Did you factor in the time / prelims saving in installing steel vs concrete?

A

I adjusted the preliminaries on a week basis. I assumed concrete to take 11 weeks and steel to take 5 weeks to install, at £6k/week.