Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

QS > Construction Tech > Flashcards

Construction Tech Flashcards

1
Q

N1. What is the RIBA Plan of Works?

A

• A plan organising the process of briefing, designing, constructing, maintaining, operating and using building projects into a number of key stages.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How many Key RIBA Stages are there?

A

8

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What are the benefits of using timber frame construction?

A
  • Quick erection times.
  • Low embodied carbon.
  • Recyclable.
  • Sustainable.
  • Low volume of waste.
  • Manufactured off site = factory control quality assurance.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What are the disadvantages of using timber frame construction?

A
  • Additional Design and engineering time required.
  • If exposed to elements can cause damage.
  • Very Combustible material, requires proper treatment to achieve required fire rating.
  • Can decay if exposed to moisture.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What are the benefits of using concrete frame construction?

A
  • Cost effective.
  • Easily changed on site.
  • Short Lead-in times.
  • Quick.
  • Inherent fire resistance.
  • Good thermal mass.
  • Good acoustic performance.
  • Low maintenance.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the disadvantages of concrete frame construction?

A
  • Needs to be cured on site, which can affect the strength.
  • Cracks can appear due to shrinkages and live loads.
  • Labour intensive on site to set up and strike formwork etc.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the benefits of steel frame construction?

A
  • Easy installation, accurately engineered to fit together onsite.
  • Cost effective, minimal waste as manufactured off site.
  • Does not degrade like timber.
  • Improves construction quality due to off site manufacture = quality assurance.
  • Very durable.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are disadvantages of steel frame construction?

A
  • High maintenance costs, through painting etc.
  • Requires fireproofing.
  • Can buckle under too much weight.
  • High up-front costs.
  • Long lead-in-times.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is value engineering?

A

Maximising value, through eliminating unwanted costs whilst improving functionality.

Increasing the margin between value/revenue and cost

Value engineering is not simply cost cutting, it can in fact lead to an increase in cost sometimes.

To succeed in VE, increases in value must be achieved with a lower cost impact. Similarly, decreases in value must be met with a greater reduction in cost/.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What is Value Management?

A

Achieving value for Money, through identifying what is most important and ensuring that function is achieved. Remaining budget if any can be spent elsewhere on less important functions.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What is Value Analysis?

A

Identifying and evaluating each cost, to ensure it is no greater than it needs to be to carry out its function.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What is a Section 106 agreement?

A

Where a developer pays the council a contribution to offset the negative impacts caused by construction and development.

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is a Section 38 agreement?

A

A highway that is constructed by the developer to the Local Authorities standard, which may become adopted by the Local Authority and maintained at the public’s expense.

Highways Act 1980

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What are the Euro Codes?

A

European Design Codes.
The eurocodes are the ten European standards (EN; harmonised technical rules) specifying how structural design should be conducted within the European Union (EU). These were developed by the European Committee for Standardisation upon the request of the European Commission.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are British Standards?

A

Standards for the quality of goods and services within Britain.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What act governs the creation of Highways?

A

The Highways act, governing the creation, maintenance and improvement of UK highways.

–

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is a Party wall?

A
  • A wall that stands on the lands of 2 or more owners and forms part of a building.
  • A wall that stands on the lands of 2 or owners but does not form part of a building, e.g a Garden Wall.
  • A wall that is in one owners land but is used by 2 or more owners to separate their buildings.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What act govern Party Walls?What act govern Party Walls?

A

The Party Wall Act 1996.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What is Utility Easement?

A

An agreement (legal) which gives a Utility Company the right to use and access a specific area of property.

BBHLC (UKPN)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

What does CIL stand for?

A

Community Infrastructure Levy.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What is a Community Infrastructure Levy?

A

A planning charge used as a tool to allow Local Authorities to support the development of their area by charging developers.

Part 11 of the Planning Act 2008

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

What is oversailing?

A

Where say a crane has to pass over another person’s land, this will require a license.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

What types of flat roof are there?

A
  • Warm.

* Cold.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

What is the construction of a warm flat roof?

A
  1. Roof Covering (Waterproof Layer).
  2. Insulation.
  3. Vapour Control Membrane.
  4. Decking
  5. Roof Joists.
  6. Ceiling.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

What is the construction of a cold flat roof?

A
  1. Roof Cover (Waterproof layer)
  2. Decking.
  3. Roof joists (infilled with insulation).
  4. Ceiling.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

N29. What are the different types of coverings for a flat roof?

A
  • Single Ply membrane.
  • Mastic Asphalt.
  • Built-up felt.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
27
Q

What is the difference between a warm and a cold roof?

A
  • A warm roof will make the entire building structure warm, in an attempt to avoid any cold bridging.
  • A cold roof is where the insulation is placed beneath the roof space, leaving the roof space cold. This will either need to be ventilated or have a breather membrane.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
28
Q

What is cold bridging?

A

An area where condensation can form due to it being significantly colder than the rest of a building.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
29
Q

Why does cold bridging matter?

A

Designing out areas where cold bridging can occur, i.e. junctions between walls, roofs and floors will help the sustainable performance of a building.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
30
Q

What does O&M Manual Stand For?

A

Operation and Maintenance Manual.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
31
Q

What is the O&M Manual?

A
  • It is a manual prepared by the Contractor, containing information on the Operation, Maintenance, Decommissioning and demolition of a building.
  • It should be updated by the owner whenever changes to the buildings fabric are made.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
32
Q

What might be included within the Operation and Maintenance manual?

A
  • A description of the Main design principles.
  • Details of building construction.
  • As-built drawings and specification.
  • Instructions for the operation and maintenance of the building.
  • Commissioning and testing results.
  • Guarantees, Warrantees and Certificates.
  • Particular requirements for Demolitions, Decommissioning and Disposal.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
33
Q

What is the Health and Safety file?

A
  • A file prepared as part of the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations, by the Principal Design.
  • It should identify the risks that could not be eliminated through design, whilst also including information provided by the Principal Contractor.
  • The file should be regularly updated when changes to the building are made.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
34
Q

What should be included within the Health and Safety file?

A
  • Description of the works carried out.
  • Any hazards that have not be eliminated through design and how they have been addressed.
  • Key Structural Principles.
  • Location of hazardous materials
  • Information about the removal of installed plant and equipment.
  • H&S information about cleaning and maintaining the structure.
  • As built information for services etc.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
35
Q

What are the Health and Safety Issues with Piling?

A
  • Dust.
  • Noise.
  • Vibrations.
  • Plant Instability due to Ground Conditions.
  • Contaminating existing ground.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
36
Q

What types of piles do you know of?

A
  • End Bearing Piles.
  • Friction Piles.
  • Hybrid End and Friction Piles.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
37
Q

Can you give more information of end bearing piles?

A

• Usually used where there is a solid bedrock low down, which the pile is extended down to.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
38
Q

Can you give more information on friction piles?

A
  • Main bearing capacity is created through friction with the material surrounding the pile.
  • Usually very long to create the appropriate friction.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
39
Q

Can you give more information on hybrid piles?

A

• Mixture of both end bearing and friction piles.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
40
Q

N46. What types of Piling methods do you know of?

A
  • Driven Piles, also known as displacement piles.
  • Bored Piles, also known as replacement piles.
  • Secant Piles, used to create retaining walls.
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
41
Q

Can you give more information on Secant Piles?

A
  • A form on contiguous piling, which can be used to create retaining walls.
  • Initial piles are bored with gaps, and cast with no reinforcement and a weaker concrete mix.
  • The stronger, insitu piles are bored in the gaps and partially through the existing piles, which care poured in a stronger concrete mix with reinforcement cages.
42
Q

What type of piling materials do you know of?

A
  • Concrete piles. They can come in pre-cast for driven piles, or be poured in-situ.
  • Steel piles. They are pre-made, and can be used when driving piles.
  • Timber piles. They are pre-made, also used when driving piles.
43
Q

What is a Section 278 Agreement?

A

• An agreement between a Local Authority and a Developer outlining the modifications required to an existing highway as part of a new Development.

Highways Act 1980

44
Q

What types of foundations do you know of?

A
  • Strip Foundations.
  • Pad Foundations.
  • Raft Foundations.
  • Ground Beams.
  • Pile Caps.
  • Piled.
  • Basements.
45
Q

Can you give me the basic construction build-up of a non-reinforced strip foundation?

A
  1. Excavate the trench.
  2. Level and compact the bottom.
  3. Put down heave protection if required, e.g. ground with lots of clay.
  4. Pour concrete into the trench, mass fill.
  5. Tamp and vibrate to remove air bubbles and give a flat finish.
  6. Get signed off by the building inspector.
46
Q

Can you give me the basic construction build-up of a raft foundation?

A
  1. Excavate to reduce level.
  2. Level and compact bottom of excavation.
  3. Spread and compact crushed concrete sub-base.
  4. Pour blinding.
  5. Form shuttering.
  6. Place reinforcement mesh and bar.
  7. Pour concrete.
  8. Vibrate and power float to achieve smooth finish.
  9. Get signed off by the building inspector.
47
Q

Can you give me the basic construction build-up of a reinforcement pile cap.

A
  1. Excavate around the pile.
  2. Form earthworks supporting and working space.
  3. Breakout and ‘munch’ the pile down to the desired level.
  4. Level and compact bottom of excavation.
  5. Pour blinding.
  6. Tie pile reinforcement into pile cap reinforcement.
  7. Place formwork.
  8. If sacrificial formwork, backfill.
  9. Pour concrete.
  10. Tamp and vibrate to remove air bubbles.
48
Q

What is Formwork?

A

• The process of placing temporary or permanent moulds into which concrete is poured.

49
Q

What is Falsework?

A
  • Temporary support structures used to support formwork.

* E.g. false to underside of a suspended slab.

50
Q

When would you use a pump in a drainage system?

A

• When the invert level of the drains are lower than the outfall level of the drains leaving the site, hence you need to pump the effluent up through a rising main to allow it the reach the appropriate level, allowing it to enter into the existing system.

51
Q

What types of Earthwork Support do you know of?

A
  • Battered Earthwork Support.
  • Sheet Piled.
  • Secant Piled.
  • Contiguous Piled.
  • Earth Retaining Walls.
  • Trench Boxes – i.e. used for deep drainage installations.
52
Q

What is a battered earthwork support?

A

• Whereby the walls of an excavation are shaped to form a slope, to stop them collapsing. They are then backfilled upon completion.

53
Q

P. Can you tell me what type of Asbestos was found in the Coventry Demolition project?

A

Amosite (brown asbestos)

54
Q

What control measures were used for the Asbestos removal on the cov demo project?

A

Shadow vacuuming,

Decontamination enclosure of work under negative pressure

55
Q

How was the asbestos removal work supervised and monitored?

A

Using viewing panels.

Using enclosure entry.

56
Q

What is meant by secondary superstructure?

A

Raised floors, suspended ceilings, balustrades, doors

57
Q

What are the building regulations?

A

Statutory instruments that set out the minimum performance standards for the design and construction of buildings.

Supported by approved documents A - R & regulation 7.

58
Q

Name the approved documents.

A 
B - Materials & Workmanship
C - Site Prep & Resistance to Moisture
D - Structure
E - Fire Safety
F1 - Conservation of Fuel & Power
F2 - Conservation of Fuel & Power - Buildings other than dwellings
G - resistance to passage of sound.
H -  Stairs Ramps & Guardrails
J - Solid waste in buildings
K - Ventilation
L - Combustion appliances & Fuel Storage.
M Physical Infrastructure for high speed networks
N - Drainage
P - Sanitry Appliances 
R - Access to and use of Buildings
V - Glazing
59
Q

What are British Standards?

A
  • Publications issued by British Standard Institution (BS)

- Give recommended minimum standards for materials, components, design and construction practices

60
Q

What are International Standards?

A
  • Prepared by International Organisation of Standardisation (ISO)
  • Compliment BS
61
Q

What are the typical components of site investigation?

A

Objective - to collect and record data to help in design & construction

Should include info of adjacent sites that impact:

  • Boundary hedges/fencing
  • Existing trees
  • Size, depth and location of services
  • Existing buildings
  • Ground water conditions
  • Soil investigations (trial pits)
62
Q

What are soil investigations?

A

Objective:

  • Determine suitability of site for proposed works & adequate and economic foundation design
  • Identify potential issues
63
Q

What are the main site considerations for a contractor setting up on site?

A
  • Access considerations, approach roads etc
  • Storage considerations
  • Accommodations
  • Temporary services
  • Plant
  • Fencing/hoarding
  • Health and safety
64
Q

What is a retained facade?

A

Facade of the building is retained whilst everything behind the front wall is demolished.

65
Q

Why are facades retained?

A
  • Often listed

- Aesthetics

66
Q

What considerations would you make if you were to retain a facade?

A
  • Temporary support structure

- Cleaning/restoration requirements of facade

67
Q

What are temporary works?

A
  • May not appear on construction drawings
  • Methods that are required to ensure safe construction, e.g. propping. These will be removed once permanent supports are in place.
68
Q

What is landfill tax?

A
  • Brought in by govt. in 1996
  • To reduce landfill waste and promote recycling/reuse, & promote research into waste practices
  • Applies to all waste disposed of at licenced landfill sites unless specifically exempt
  • Administered by hm customs and excise
69
Q

What are the landfill tax rates?

A

£94.15/ tonne for active waste

£3.00/tonne for inactive (inert) waste

(Rates from April 2020 - 2021)

70
Q

What is active waste?

A
  • Substances that either decay or contaminate land - which includes household waste.
  • Expensive to dispose of.
71
Q

What is inactive waste?

A
  • Biologically or chemically inactive. Don’t give out harmful residue.
  • Do cause problems with filling up areas.
  • Cheap to dispose of.
72
Q

What is a tower crane?

A
  • A tower crane is a tall crane used for lifting objects into high places.
  • The boom (arm) allows a longer reach with 360 degree access.
  • A longer boom reduces the payload capability.
73
Q

How would you erect a tower crane?

A

Using a smaller crane

74
Q

What issues might cause a tower crane to suspend it’s use?

A

Adverse weather conditions, particularly high winds

75
Q

What is shoring?

A
  • Form of support given to existing buildings.

- Precaution against damage or injury caused by collapse of structure.

76
Q

What are hoists?

A

Designed for the vertical transportation of materials or people

77
Q

What are foundations?

A

Foundations provide support for structures, transferring their load to layers of rock and soil that have sufficient bearing capacity.

78
Q

What is a dead load?

A
  • Permanent and static loads

- Predominately the structure itself

79
Q

What are live/imposed loads?

A
  • Usually temporary
  • Changeable and dynamic
  • Occupants, furniture, equipment, vehicles
80
Q

What are wind loads?

A
  • The movement of air against the structure

- Particularly important on tall buildings and buildings with a light-weight dead load

81
Q

What are the main components of concrete?

A

Water, aggregate (rocks, sand etc), cement

82
Q

What is aggregate?

A

Natural stone, crushed rock, gravel

83
Q

What is a borehole?

A
  • A borehole can be used for soil investigations or geothermal heating solutions
  • Boreholes are the most effective solution for soil investigations where the foundations are to be over 3m deep
84
Q

What are geothermal boreholes?

A

Permanent holes that use the earth’s natural heat energy to warm up circulated water.

This is a closed system that can be used to heat the building above.

85
Q

What are the different types of piles?

A
  • Replacement/Bored piles (reinforced concrete insitu)
  • Displacement/Driven piles (pre-cast, steel, composite)
  • Basement walls (secant piles, sheet piles)
86
Q

What are sheet piles?

A
  • Sections of sheet materials with interlocking edges that are driven into the ground to provide earth retention or excavation support.
  • Typically made of steel
  • Often used for retaining walls and underground structures
87
Q

What are secant piles?

A
  • Intersecting steel reinforced concrete piles
  • Primary female piles are installed first, with secondary male piles installed in between them. Overlap of roughly 3 inches creating a flush finish
  • Useful in top-down construction and temporary waterproofing
88
Q

What are bored piles?

A
  • Auger is used to excavate soil, then concrete is poured in
  • Variation of this is where a continuous flight auger is used to bore piles and fill core with bentonite slurry. Concrete is then poured into core, displacing the bentonite slurry due to it’s denser makeup. Rarely used now due to environmental impacts of bentonite
  • Minimal vibration
89
Q

What are pre-cast piles?

A
  • Piles brought to site and hammered into the ground
  • High noise levels associated with installation
  • Lack of flexibility in terms of depth required
90
Q

What are the different ways that piles transfer their load into the surrounding ground?

A
  • End bearing piles: Pass through soft strata onto firm strata. Load transferred through toe of pile
  • Friction piles: Through sheer stress against side of piles
  • Tension piles: Through the length of the pile to reduce overturning moments on the building caused by uplift forces
  • Laterally loaded piles: Horizontal forces in situations such as bridge piers. Similar to above.
91
Q

When would you use bored piles?

A
  • In cohesive subsoils for the formation of friction piles

- When close to existing buildings due to noise/vibration limitation

92
Q

When would you use pre-cast concrete piles?

A
  • When there is soft soil deposits lying on firmer strata

- When noise/vibration isn’t a concern

93
Q

What are the risks for a PQS regarding cost control with piling?

A

End depth of piles are never a certainty, procurement route determines who takes the risk.

Traditional/D&B = Contractor
Management Contracts = Employer

94
Q

What is a raft foundation?

A

Used to spread the load of superstructure over a large base and reduce load/m2 of area.

Generally reinforced concrete slabs.

95
Q

When would you use raft foundations?

A
  • In low bearing capacity soils
  • Where settlement is likely
  • Where floor areas are small and structural load low
96
Q

What is a strip foundation?

A

Shallow foundations used to provide a continuous, level strip to support a linear structure such as a wall

97
Q

When would you use a strip foundations?

A
  • Most subsoils

- Light structural design

98
Q

What are pad foundations?

A

A form of spread foundation formed by often square pads that support single-point structural loads such as columns

99
Q

What are retaining walls?

A

They act as an earth retaining structure for the whole or part of their height

100
Q

What considerations should a Contractor make when building a retaining wall?

A

Pressure of water/earth acting on wall

QS (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions