Construction Tech & Environmental Services Flashcards
What is the RIBA Plan of Works
Provides a shared framework for organising the process of briefing, designing, constructing and operating building projects.
How many stages are there in the RIBA Plan of Work 2020
8 (0-7)
What are the 8 RIBA work stages
0: Strategic definition
1: Preparation and briefing
2: Concept design
3: Spatial co-ordination
4: Technical Design
5: Manufacturing and construction
6: Handover
7: Use
What is RIBA stage 0 for - strategic definition
Determining the best way of achieving the client’s requirements
What is RIBA stage 1 for - preparation and briefing
Developing the detail of the brief and carrying out feasibility studies to ensure that the brief can be accommodated on site.
What is RIBA stage 2 for - concept design
The initial design response to the project brief
What is RIBA stage 3 for - spatial co-ordination
Testing and validating the Architectural Concept, to make sure that the architectural and engineering information prepared at Stage 2 is Spatially Coordinated
What is RIBA stage 4 for - technical design
Developing info required to construct the building. This requires input from the design team and specialist contractors
What is RIBA stage 5 for - manufacturing & construction
Any design during the construction phase
What is RIBA stage 6 for - handover
Closing out any defects and completing the tasks required to conclude the building contract
What is RIBA stage 7 for - use
For aftercare activities while in use.
On my Robins Court, Clapham project what were the pros of using screw piles given the space limitations on site
Reduce the volume of excavation and concrete
Negates the need for a concrete pump
Almost silent for neighbours
No spoil
Installation isn’t weather dependent
Quicker installation
On my Amen Corner, Binfield project what were the pros of using porotherm blocks.
Provide higher compressive strength compared to concrete blocks
Quicker to lay due to interlocking and lightweight design
Acoustically and thermally efficient
Recyclable
On my Amen Corner, Binfield project what were the cons of using porotherm blocks.
Higher material cost
Why were porotherm bricks recommended in the end on Amen corner, binley.
Because while the material cost was higher, the programme saving would save time related costs.
Plus it had a higher level of performance and sustainability
What are the sustainable features of porotherm bricks
150 year life expectancy with little or no maintenance required
Recyclable
What are the pros of bathroom pods
Works can progress on site while they’re being manufactured off site
Quicker installation
Enhanced quality control
Reduced labour costs
H&S benefits
What are the cons of bathrooom pods
Transportation and logistics
Long lead times
Site constraints (space, access etc)
Transportation costs
Upfront payment before install
What quality checks are carried out on bathroom pods
Material inspection
Dimensional accuracy
Plumbing and electrical tests
Finishing and aesthetics
H&S and Compliance checks
Why is concrete more suitable for residential buildings compared to steel
Better acoustic and fire performance
What’s the difference between driven and bored piles
Driven piles are formed off site
Bored piles are cast in concrete on site
What are the 5 main types of piling
Bored
Driven
Screw
Mini
Sheet
What does BREEAM stand for
Building research establishment environmental assessment method
How many BREEAM assessment categories are there
9
What are the 9 BREEAM categories
Energy
Water
Transport
Management
Waste
Pollution
Health and well being
Land use and ecology
Materials
What are the 5 BREEAM scores and what score % do you need for each
Pass - 30%
Good - 45%
Very good - 55%
Excellent - 70%
Outstanding - 85%
What is the Future Homes and Buildings Standard
It compliments the Building Regs to ensure new homes built from 2025 produce 75-80% less carbon emissions than homes under the old regulations
What parts of the building regs are proposed to change under the future homes and building standard?
Part L - conservation of fuel and power
Part F - ventilation
In which year is the Uk targeted to achieve net zero carbon emissions
2050
What trends have you seen between concrete and steel frame prices
Steel prices are volatile and have been subject to significant increases recently due to Ukraine and energy prices
Pros and cons of steel compared to concrete
Pros
Fast erection on site
Comparatively Lightweight
Gain more net internal area due to columns and beams being smaller
Cons
Inflation/ market uncertainty
Fire proofing costs
Prone to corrosion
Pros and cons of concrete compared to steel
Pros
Naturally Fire and Water resistant
Easy to mould and shape
Energy efficient when producing
Higher compressive strength
CONS
Low tensile strength and so requires reinforcement
Long curing time/ slower installation
Requires form work on site
Describe how a green roof works
Green roof absorbs water into the greenery and any excess is drained off
Describe how a blue roof works
The blue roof fills with rain water. Valves are installed to control whether the water is retained or drained.
What does the IPMS do
Tells you how to measure buildings by function (resi, warehouse, office etc.)
What’s the most economical shape in terms of wall to floor ratio
Circle
Name some renewable energy technologies
Ground source heat pump
Air source heat pump
PV panels
Name the 4 main types of foundations
Piled
Pad
Raft
Strip
Out of the three foundations which does not require reinforcement
Pad
Raft
Strip
Strip
What three factors drive the choice of foundations
Ground conditions
Site constraints
The building it’s supporting
Pros and cons of modular construction
Cons
- Less renowned in the industry
- Harder to make changes once in manufacture
- Delivery logistics and site constraints
- Have to pay for materials off site
- Delivery fees
- Front loaded design
Pros
- Higher quality control checks
- Quicker installation once on site
- Reduced risk of weather delay
- Lower labour costs
- Less waste
What does CFA stand for
Continuous flight auger
How does an air source heat pump work
Outside air is drawn in over a network of tubes filled with refrigerant gas, which circulates at -28°c to extract heat energy from the air outside.
The gas passes through a compressor which increases the pressure and temperature causing it to change from a cold gas to a hot liquid.
The compressed hot liquid passes into a heat exchanger that heats water. The refrigerant then turns back into a cold gas and starts the cycle all over again.
How do PV panels work
When the sun shines onto a solar panel, energy from the sunlight is absorbed by the PV cells in the panel. This energy creates electrical charges.
The electrical charge creates a DC current which is then converted to an AC current by a converter to make it useable in the building.
How does a ground source heat pump work
Water/refrigerant fluid is circulated through a series of pipes, absorbing thermal energy from the ground and circulating it back to the heat pump.
A compressor inside the heat pump increases the temperature and it’s then passed to a heat exchanger which transfers the heat to hot water.
Once the fluid has delivered heat to the distribution system, it’s then passed through an expansion valve which cools it before it repeats the circuit all over again.
What’s a pad foundation
Pad foundations are formed by concrete ‘pads’ that support localised single-point loads such as structural columns, groups of columns or framed structures.
Why would you use a pad foundations
When the ground has an adequate load bearing capacity at shallow depths.
Pad foundations can be selected as they do not require much excavation.
To support localised loads (columns)
What are raft foundations
A raft foundation is a reinforced concrete slab under the whole of a building, ‘floating’ on the ground as a raft floats on water
When would you use raft foundations
Floor areas are small and structural loadings are low, such as in one or two-storey domestic buildings.
A basement is required.
Ground conditions are poor and strip or pad foundations would require significant excavation, for example on bad soil or on soft clay.
Settlement, or differential settlement is likely.
Where it may be impractical to create separate strip or pad foundations for a large number of individual loads. In very general terms, if strip or pad foundations would cover 50% or more of the floor area, then a raft may be more appropriate.
What are foundations
Foundations provide support for structures, transferring their load into the ground.
Name the three types of shallow foundations
Strip
Raft
Pad
When Would deep foundations be required
where the bearing capacity of the surface soils is not adequate to support the loads imposed by a structure
Name the two high level foundations categories
Deep and shallow
What are strip foundations
Strip foundations are used to provide a continuous strip of support for linear structures such as walls or closely-spaced rows of columns.
When would you use strip foundations
Strip foundations are suitable for supporting linear loads and are most suitable where soil is of relatively good bearing capacity.
What are piled foundations
Pile foundations are used to transfer the loads from superstructures, through weak strata or water onto stronger soil or rock at depth.
When are piled foundations used
They are typically used for large structures, and in situations where soil is not suitable to prevent excessive settlement.
What is CFA piling (continuous flight auger)
It’s a type of bored piling method where the boring and pouring takes place simultaneously
Explain how bored piles work
Bored piles remove spoil to form a hole for the pile which is poured in situ
What are sheet piles
Sheet piles are sections of sheet materials with interlocking edges that are driven into the ground to provide earth retention and excavation support.
What are mini piles and when are they used
They can be driven or screw piles and tend to be used where access is restricted, for example underpinning structures affected by settlement.
What’s the difference between friction piles and and end bearing piles
End-bearing piles develop most of their load-bearing capacity at the toe of the pile whereas friction piles develop it down the sides.
Are friction and end bearing piles bored or driven
Can be both
What different forms of fire protection are you aware of on steel frame
Intumescent paint
Fire rated boarding
How does intumescent paint work
The coating reacts with the heat and swells and forms a char layer that covers the steel which prevents it from burning
What is BREEAM
It’s used to measure the sustainability performance of buildings
What’s a U-Value
Measures how effective elements of a buildings fabric are as thermal insulators
What’s a s38
Construction of a new highway to be adopted
What’s a s278
Alterations and improvements to existing highways
Name the two classification for disposing material off site
Hazardous
Non hazardous
