Construction Technology Flashcards
Describe the external envelope of 163 Bath Street, Glasgow.
The roof was dual pitched with a slate covering and featured a cupula above the stair way.
The external walls were of solid wall construction, formed of sandstone, with an ashlar external skin and stone rubble inner skin with small stones within the cavity bonded by lime mortar.
What are Building Regulations?
Building regulations are statutory instruments which set out the minimum standard for the design and construction of a building.
Principally these include the Building Standards Technical Handbook: Non-Domestic, British Standards and International Standards.
What is superstructure?
All internal and external works items above the damp proof course.
This is made up of:
- External Walls
- Stairs
- Roof
- Structural Walls
- Suspended Ceilings
- Raised Floors
Describe the super structure of 163 Bath Street, Glasgow?
This is made up of:
- Sandstone solid walls with lath and plaster wall and ceiling finishes.
- Dual pitched roof with a slate finish and cupula.
- Timber suspended upper floors with joists embedded within the walls.
What are temporary works?
Temporary works do not normally appear on construction drawings but may be required depending on the construction method being used.
Temporary works may also be required as a result of health and safety requirements to ensure a safe method of construction, for example temporary propping.
What is shoring?
Shoring is a form of temporary support given to the existing building.
It’s purpose is to provide a precaution against damage or injury due to collapse.
What are the main components of concrete?
Cement
Aggregate (natural rock, crushed stone, gravel)
Water
What is a basement?
A story constructed below ground level.
What are the 3 different types of basement construction?
Retaining Wall & Raft - consisting of a raft foundation forming the floor (while distributing the building’s load) with the walls forming retaining walls
Box and Cellular - consisting of a raft foundation forming the floor while the internal structural walls form cells and transmit loads to the raft foundation.
Piled Solution - structural loads are carried to the basement floor by collumns and transmit to the ground via bearing piles. In this example the basement has numerous columns passing through it.
What are the 3 main methods of waterproofing a basement and what are the considerations for each?
Dense Monolithic:
- Where the basement is designed and built to form a watertight space using high quality reinforced concrete.
- This requires good workmanship, strict control and careful design of joints.
- Success depends on the water to cement ratio and the degree of compaction.
Tanking:
- This uses materials such as polythene sheeting, asphalt, bitumen and epoxy resin.
- This can be applied both internally or externally to provide a continuous membrane to the base of the slabs and
walls.
- External application is more effective as it protects the structure in addition to the waterproofing.
Drained Cavity:
- Can be designed from new or retrofitted to an existing basement.
- Allows a small amount of water infiltration to occur.
- The water is collected and then drained to a sump or is directly discharged.
What are the technical advantages of steel frames?
- Quicker to assemble on site than concrete frames.
- 100% recyclable and inorganic meaning elements will not crack, shift, creep or warp.
- Highest strength to weight ratio.
- Lighter than concrete frame systems meaning there is a lesser requirement for foundation provision.
- Due to strict manufacturing controls, there is consistent material quality that can be obtained due to production taking place in-line with strict standards.
What are the technical disadvantages of steel frames?
- The price of steel often fluctuates resulting in a lack of cost certainty.
- Installation of steel frames requires experienced skilled builders, at a greater cost compared to builders required for concrete frame systems.
- Resource of qualified contractors can be difficult depending on market conditions.
- Fire protection has to be installed retrospectively.
- Fixings may require replacement overtime.
What are technical advantages of concrete frame systems?
- There is often fire protection inherently within the structure.
- As concrete frames are slower on-site when compared to concrete frames, it means there is a lower cash flow expenditure at an early stage in the project.
- Maintenance requirements are generally low compared to steel frames.
- Concrete frames provide good sound and heat insulation.
What are the typical disadvantages of concrete frames?
- In comparison to steel frames, they are slower to install.
- There may be complications during construction as a result of cold weather.
- The requirement for steel reinforcement means concrete frames are similarly effected by price fluctuations but to a lesser extent.
- They are heavier and therefor require larger foundations.
What should be considered when repairing sash and case windows?
Sash and case windows are generally made of high quality heartwood timber so repairing windows instead of wholesale replacement is beneficial.
Sash and case windows are of a straight forward design and construction meaning they can be readily repaired. Even the most dilapidated windows can be repaired.
