Construction Tech L1 to L3 - SoE Q’s

Question 1

What are the RIBA Stages of Work?

Answer 1

• Stage 0 = Strategic Definition
• Stage 1 = Preparation and Briefing
• Stage 2 = Concept Design
• Stage 3 = Spatial Coordination
• Stage 4 = Technical Design
• Stage 5 = Manufacturing and
Construction
• Stage 6 = Handover
• Stage 7 = Use

Question 2

What is buildability?

Answer 2

Harnessing a contractors expertise to aid in design and construction.

Question 3

What are the types of foundations?

Answer 3

Strip foundations (strip of linear structure that spreads weight across total area of ground)

Pad foundations (usually square or rectangle and typically used to support columns)

Raft foundations (continuous slab that extends over the entire footprint of the building)

Piled foundations (a column that extends deep into the ground)

Question 4

What are the two main types of piles?

Answer 4

End bearing piles (bottom of pile rests on layer of strong rock or soil, load of building is transferred through to this layer)

Friction piles (side surface of the pile works to transfer forces to the soil by creating sheer stresses)

Question 5

What are the two main construction methods for pile foundations?

Answer 5

Bored piles (manufactured on site)

Driven concrete piles (formed off site in factory controlled conditions)

Question 6

Can you name some of the Building Regulations?

Answer 6

• Part L - Conservation of Fuel and
Power
• Part M - Access to and use of
Buildings

Question 7

What modern methods of construction are you aware of?

Answer 7

• Modular construction
• Timber framing
• Pre cast panels
• Bathroom Pods

Question 8

Are you able to provide me with advantages and disadvantages of MMC?

Answer 8

Advantages of MMC is that is provides higher quality, they are safer, they are quicker, and they are more sustainable.

Disadvantages are that they reduce social value, the immediate cost is high, and materials are imported from outside the UK. Undermining UK manufacturing.

Question 9

What are the advantages and disadvantages of timber framing?

Answer 9

Advantages of timber framing are that they are sustainable, lightweight and quicker to erect that traditional masonry.

Disadvantages are that they require fire protection and can be subject to dry and wet rot.

Question 10

Can you advise on the outcome of your report on timber and traditional masonry construction?

Answer 10

The outcome of the report was that timber construction was cheaper, as well as quicker to construct. The report was produced for a developer that produced their own off site timber frames.

Question 11

QS is an expert in cost and contract. Why should a QS be equipped with construction technology knowledge?

Answer 11

This is to be able to advise on whether certain techniques will be cheaper than alternatives, whilst exploring life cycle costs and whether certain materials could provide better value over time.

Further to this, we have to have an understanding of con tech when assessing interim applications to cross reference work done on site with the application.

Question 12

What is curtain walling?

Answer 12

Typically a lightweight aluminium frame with glazing infill panels

Question 13

What is rainscreen cladding?

Answer 13

A system which manages the flow of rainwater on a building, serving as a screen and protection against rain for the rest of the building.

Outer protective layer of the wall buildup.

Protects the backing wall, but is not 100% water resistant. Therefore, the backing wall must be.

Question 14

What advice could you give a client on the advantages / disadvantages between steel and concrete frames? What about cost advice?

Answer 14

Steel frame advantages are faster to erect than concrete frames, recyclable, beams can span over long distances (ideal for warehouses)

Steel frame disadvantages typically have lower load bearing capacity than concrete frames, may require fire protection, steel prices can be volatile, do not have same acoustic or thermal properties of concrete.

Concrete frames advantages are fire protection is inherent in the structure, cladding and other finishes can be fixed directly to the frame, provides good sound and heat insulation.

Concrete frame disadvantages are they require formwork, slower to construct on site, requires a bulky structure, concrete does not span as well as steel, long curing
time.

Question 15

What is a raft foundation?

Answer 15

A raft foundation extends over the entire footprint of the building, transferring the load to the ground.

Typically used on lightweight structures in good ground bearing capacity.

Question 16

Why was piling seen as the most l suitable solution on Charles Street PBSA?

Answer 16

Piling was seen as the most suitable solution as a soil investigation was undertaken by the structural engineer and it confirmed that the ground was of poor bearing capacity. This concurred with the previous investigation that had been undertaken. The structural engineer advised that piling would be the most appropriate solution.

Question 17

What is modular construction and what are the benefits?

Answer 17

Prefabricated modules built off site in
factory conditions

Safety - hazards such as falling from height more likely to occur on site than in a factory

Efficiency and quality - construction takes place in a controlled environment

Sustainability - reduction in waste produced

Speed - work in the factory can be scheduled to being at the same time as other activities on site, resulting in shorter build programme

Question 18

What was proposed as the most appropriate solution in relation to the façade and why?

Answer 18

The stick system was selected as opposed to the precast system. This was following a costing exercise and it showing that the precast option was significantly more expensive, even though it had a better embodied carbon impact.

Question 19

What is a unitised façade system?

Answer 19

A lightweight aluminium structure with glazed or opaque panels fixed to the system.

Question 20

What is a precast façade system?

Answer 20

It is a façade made of bespoke precast elements.

Question 21

What are the advantages and disadvantages of façade systems?

Answer 21

Advantages of a unitised system are that there is increased safety on site as you do not need to work at height, faster installation as units are lifted into place, lightweight, and they provide good thermal performance.

Disadvantages are that there can be alignment issues, they also take a while to be constructed off site and therefore you need to consider programme implications. The system requires specialized transportation and lifting equipment.

Advantages of precast façade systems are that they have a high compressive strength and they can save time due to prefab off site.

Disadvantages are that they are heavier than a unitised system, as well as more expensive. It is also difficult to modify a piece of precast concrete if it is slightly out of tolerance.

Question 22

Which was the most cost-effective solution in terms of the façade?

Answer 22

The most cost effective solution was the unitised system. This was around £2m cheaper than the precast option.

Question 23

What were the differences in cost between the three options proposed by the architect?

Answer 23

The client had a budget of £300k and the first option was priced at £240k, with the second priced at £310k and the third option at £465k.

I advised the client to proceed with option 1 as the third option was £165k over budget, and the second option did not represent value for money in comparison to the first option.

Question 24

What legislation can have an impact on a project?

Answer 24

Building regulations

Question 25

How do building regulations impact a project?

Answer 25

Help to ensure that new buildings, conversions and renovations are safe, healthy and high performing.

Question 26

What are approved documents?

Answer 26

Approved documents which general guidance about how specific aspects of building design and construction can comply with Building Regulations.

Question 27

What are the names and examples of some approved documents?

Answer 27

Part A: Structures - requires that buildings are designed, constructed and altered to be structurally safe and robust and not impair the stability of other buildings. (RC frame)

Part M: Access to and use of buildings - requires the provision of ease of access to and circulation within all buildings, together with requirements for facilities for people with disabilities. (Ramps & automatic doors)

Part Q: Security to dwellings - requires that provisions are made to resist unauthorised access to any buildings. (Viewing window & lock to doors)

Question 28

What is the difference between a standard lift and evacuation lift?

Answer 28

Interface between lift control and fire detection / alarm system

Separate power supply